Nick hibernates for the winter Micky-to but I expect he will log on once in a while and will no doubt see your thread. The Medway fishes exceptionally well during the winter months. Pole is a bit dodgy because of all the passing public/bikers/dogs etc. Personally for a trouble free session I would concentrate on the waggler with either caster/hemp or maggot. You should have a good days fishing with predominantly roach. Not sure if groundbait is required but I suppose it wouldn’t do any harm if the river is running slow!.

we had a match at barming sunday(club match) only twelve fished for 2lb 2oz, one chub 1lb 14oz and two perch.Very clear,only 2 caught the rest no bites.fish caught on wag & mag.i wouldn’t bother unless we have rain.

…That’s exactly why the town stretch is so good in winter freddy. They come from miles around to shoal up for the winter, hence your poor days fishing at Barming!

I fished at East farleigh last Sunday with club. Pretty much the same as Freddy frog describes. Gin clear, Hardly any fish caught and blanks galore. ( although the winner had 2 bream for 7-14)
We are going to the town centre stretch soon so not really looking forward to it. Surely cant be any worse than East Farleigh??

Shall we have a little bet.

I’m sure Nick would disagree but the Medway is in the lower league when it comes to river fishing. Over 25 years I can honestly count on one hand the number of days I’ve had double figures of anything! But the town stretch is THE place to fish at the moment, forget the other parts of the Medway…. complete waste of time and effort. Trouble with the Medway is the number of times the lock has been vandalised each year, allowing millions of tons of water into the tidal stretch and all the fish with it!! The river just never gets the chance to recover before some scum bag opens the gates and does it again…..

Don’t listen to Mike he hardly fishes the river so wouldn’t have a clue!! lol There are more and bigger fish in the river than there has ever been!!

There are plenty of fish in the Medway and I have had lots of double figured nets even in the winter down Barming when the weather was right. I doubt any of the roach from the Barming section end up in the town as they would have to do Salmon impersonations and jump over the lock at Farleigh. Like any winter river location is the key and there are plenty or areas you can catch 10-30lb of roach or chub this time of the year if you do your homework and pick your day wisely. The town bridge is the best known section but there are others!

Anyway back to the question. The river like any other always fishes poor if it is cold and clear as the predominate species is roach. Personaly in the town section I would fish the maggot and waggler. The pole will catch too if you are not that good at fishing the waggler. I doub’t you will catch close in on the law court side but if you can don’t forget your whip!.

I will have a look at the Yalding section over the weekend now that we’ve had some rain, might even give it a go if the weather’s ok. I have a pair of new waggler rods that i’m eager to christen. Rumour has it that Mike’s a bit special with a waggler!!!