Fishing tales from the River Thames

It's mid-November and temperatures are dropping - but so is the water level of the River Thames! After a particularly wet October, conditions are finally looking ideal for plenty of bites on the float and feeder. So I head to a brand new stretch of the UK's longest waterway, where Neil Wayte, lifelong specimen hunter and Thames specialist, has got me membership of a brand new (for me) angling club.
We even enjoyed a friendly match on his favourite venue, with me representing the north and match fishing, while Neil was the southern specimen angler. Watch until the end to see who came out on top, and enjoy lots fishing stories along the way. It's another chilled release from The Magic of Fishing so sit back, relax and enjoy...
The Magic of Fishing book - tinyurl.com/yc...
Mucker671 KZbin channel (free Thames fishing advice) - / @mucker671
#fishing #riverfishing #floatfishing #matchfishing #roachfishing #barbelfishing #chubfishing #riverthames #feederfishing #fishingbait #fishinglife #fishingvideo2024

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Another great video, thanks. Have a soft spot for the Thames, in my youth used to fish the Canbury Gardens stretch at Kingston. The power station used to occasionally discharge warm water into the river which suddely became alive with bleak. One of my pals hooked something huge, which hogged the bottom, before breaking free. That was back in the eatly 70's, but still fresh in my mind, expect a few other oldies like me recall the days! All changed now, but glad the river is still healthy.😊

[@patcullen9304]

Me and my friends used to fish Canburry Gardens in the late 70s, if the fishing was slow we would walk down the bank towards Teddington Lock, great memories

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks as always my friend 🙏 Yep, I can still remember the cooling towers and power stations along the Trent that would sometimes discharge warm water and create real bagging areas. As for the giant that got away, fishing wouldn’t be fishing without the pain of loss… 🎣

[@marcharley6465]

Hi John. I wanted to let you know that your channel has quickly become one of my favourite UK fishing channels. Even when it's a difficult session, your likeable personality and thoughtful commentary make it worth watching.

[@themagicoffishing]

Ah thanks Marc, really appreciate you saying so and you’re welcome to comment anytime. I’ll keep the vids coming as best I can 👍🎣🐟🐟🐟

[@saturn16]

Thanks for that John. I haven't been fishing much lately myself but videos like this keep me itching to get out, cheers!👍

[@themagicoffishing]

Hope you get out soon but glad to provide the online entertainment in the meantime! 👍🎣🐟

[@davidleigh2573]

It's Friday again. Weekly shop, home, coffee and croissants, and then settle down to the Magic of Angling. Perfection Stay safe and thanks.

[@themagicoffishing]

That sounds pretty damn good to me, David ☕️ 🥐 And I always love reading and responding to your comments 💙🐟

[@BobDouce]

Thank you John, sat in mi armchair with a coffee and a biscuit on a Friday morning only place better would be on the bank. Nice to see the differences in tackle and tactics, it highlights the fact that we have to be flexible in our approach even from hour to hour. Thank you both for a great session. 🧔 👍

[@themagicoffishing]

Completely agree, Bob. Although it was meant as a fun match I think it’s really a celebration of bankside banter, different ways of fishing and the different fish we love to catch 🎣🐟👍 The main point is we both enjoyed ourselves a lot and if it’s entertaining you folks at home as well then everyone’s a winner 🏆

[@kevingarrett6117]

Absolutely brilliant watch keep up the great work

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks for saying so, Kevin ☺️👍🎣🐟

[@davidclarke1429]

Some lovely roach there John what a cracking stretch. Neil's a proper bloke ,very likeable must be a pleasure to know him 🐟🎣

[@hermanuslambo7252]

Good fishing again John enjoyed it very much, good way to start the weekend. Neil seems like a nice person. Thanks again. Greetz Herman.

[@themagicoffishing]

Greetz indeed my friend - is it me or has it been a little while since I last saw you in the comments? I’ve been keeping an eye out anyway 👍😎 And forgive me if I somehow missed ya. I’m busy tomorrow but hoping to get back on a river (very different kind) on Sunday, so I’ll hopefully be serving up more running water escapades in a week’s time. Happy Friday.

[@hermanuslambo7252]

@@themagicoffishing Yes its true, i watched and liked the other video's as well, but sometimes i feel a bit ashamed about my Englisch writing. It is very nice to hear that kept an eye out for my, i feel honored my friend. Thank you, i finished your book, and sometimes while reading, i was dreaming away about my fishing adventures. I am gonig to read it again and i hope you wil write another book sometimes. I loved the book so much! Thank you John.

[@grahammclean7842]

What a great watch John, a terrific venue and some great sport to boot. It’s always nice to share your experiences with a friend too and Neil as well as being a terrific angler seems like a thoroughly decent chap. 🎣🎣🎣

[@darrenhill5799]

Great, great and entertaining video again John. Keep them coming when you have the opportunity and time. Oh and yes, South Yorkshire lads do watch these.

[@themagicoffishing]

Get in Darren! I’m still recovering from the Steel City derby 🥲 I’m Owls and - it’s a long story - my 17 year old lad who also lives in Surrey is Blades (and was at the game with his uncles). So the fishing was a win and the footy was a bad loss, but great to hear from a fellow South Yorkshire lad 🍻

[@MUCKER671]

John, that was the most enjoyable fishing video I've ever seen on KZbin.. Outstanding commentary and the banter with Neil was so nice to see.😊 Reminds me of my long lost fishing buddy Mike.. More of that please..🤞 Neil, what a lovely chap, his thoughts and feelings on fishing over the years are almost a Carbon copy of mine. I started fishing in the mid 70's as well.. P.s MASSIVE thank you for the shout outs bud, some coming your way once my vids have caught up with our first proper chats..😅 Hard to post vids weakly so completely understand that situation mate. Easy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s this time bud..👍

[@themagicoffishing]

Wow, your film reviews normally blow my socks off but that one blew the roof off! Six stars!! 😁 I had a feeling you might enjoy it, even if we were in Oxfordshire rather than some of the Surrey and London beats that have featured on your channel. I also thought you’d relate to Nelly as he’s another man who has not only spent most of his life on the river but likes to target the big boys and girls. Really do feel for you with Mike and I know I’d be in pieces if I couldn’t go fishing with Andy from Sheffield - it’s almost like a marriage when you’ve shared so many memories and experiences over the years! No one else can quite understand… But us anglers can at least have a close guess and better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all 💙🎣🐟 Thanks for another amazing review and the Guinness remains on the horizon 🍺

[@davidcook6614]

That was brilliant just what fishing is all about thank you

[@themagicoffishing]

My pleasure and glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@NorthWalesPiscator]

Surprise surprise…. Not really another top class video. Great session with some lovely Roach. What a top class bloke Neil is a natural in front of the camera. I could sit here and watch hours and hours of this. Specimen challenge’s next Barbel,Chub,Perch and Pike. That stretch of the Thames is top quality. Thanks for taking us along continued tight lines pal. Matt 🎣🎣🎣

[@BlackBottomFloats]

Great session John! In my opinion, you're both winners! 😂

[@themagicoffishing]

Haha, my thought exactly 🎣🐟💙

[@garybuss9897]

Great to see you back love seeing you fish the Thames underated river

[@themagicoffishing]

It seems that way, Gary - I’m loving getting to know it 🎣🐟👍 Your prize should be on its way next week I hope 🤞 Cheers for now 🍻

[@garywells-zp3es]

And yet another cracking video. Well done and a well deserved bag of fish.

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks Gary! 😁🎣🐟

[@kevincurrington1331]

Well done John fished a good match😊

[@themagicoffishing]

Cheers Kevin 🍻 Really enjoyed it and glad you did too 😁

[@patcullen9304]

I'm glad you mentioned mucka, I enjoy the way he lets you know about the parking and showing the swims, another fantastic video, please keep them coming

[@patcullen9304]

Look your health is more important than putting out videos every week,, I'm sure all your subscribers will understand, all the best to you and your family

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks Pat and, yep, Mucker deserves a lot of praise. He seems like a 💎 and we keep threatening to meet for a pint when he’s next in the vicinity. One day (likewise your good self)… 🍻

[@patcullen9304]

@@themagicoffishing I'm good thanks for asking mate, I really miss fishing on the Thames

[@JamesPilgrim-ql2to]

Loved this one John. Real Angling Excellent. Keep them coming 👍

[@themagicoffishing]

Many thanks as always Jim 🙏👍 I aim to please and it’s nice to know when I do 💙

[@johnwilson7174]

Just had my Friday afternoon "Fix" of your fishing video. Great to watch on these miserable November days. I admire you for fishing in all weathers. It's great to have a friend with you as well. I've fished on my own in Ireland many years ago, which was great at the time but nowadays I much prefer to fish in Ireland with my son Stephen. Again, best fishing videos on KZbin. Many thanks.

[@themagicoffishing]

My appreciation for your brilliant comments never wanes, John, much like your love of fishing in Ireland. I will have to get over better myself as some point. Pleased to provided a nice Friday fishing fix as always.

[@neilwayte517]

Well that came out ok then John. Glad you enjoyed yourself putting me to shame so untill next time. No there isn't a next time I'm going to go and sulk down by the river and keep my head down. Great day out and great fun plus the real bonus some more of Rachels cake.

[@themagicoffishing]

Haha! There will definitely be a next time and thanks again for everything 🙏 I bought a pint of maggots at lunchtime and had the pleasure of letting Mike at Apollo know about our day out 😄

[@neilwayte517]

@@themagicoffishingcoming my way more abuse

[@cliveeariss880]

Great video John, the river Thames is a funny old river, but i has its day...when its on, very interesting, really enjoyed this.

[@themagicoffishing]

Very much agree based on my extremely limited experience! Have had some cracking days and some tickler sessions as you’ve seen. A lot of people telling me it’s not what it was but the likes of Neil show there are still some BIG fish to be caught. And the roach stocks seem tip top in places. I’ve also enjoyed some of your vids on the river.

[@peterdobrijevic3107]

Well done John Sheffield lad done us Northern lads proud 👏 Thanks for sharing this video, really enjoyed it. Peter

[@themagicoffishing]

Haha, up the north! ✊ Thanks ☺️ The south’s got some nice fishing spots though… 😄🎣🐟

[@peterdobrijevic3107]

@themagicoffishing Great opportunity for our northern lads to show'um how to catch fish then 😀 😀 😀 😀

[@mikevoller-fishingfun9095]

Another great day on the Thames,well done. i spoke to a couple of anglers at Hampton court last sunday and they couldn't buy a bite,

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks Mike 🙏👍 Kind words appreciated as always. That’s a surprise and a shame about the anglers you spoke to - I had many telling me the river badly needed rain over the summer, then it nearly flooded in October and Neil was saying he felt it was bang on (level or flow wise) over the last week or two. But I’m also told it’s a moody river and the fish move of course. Keeps the mystery alive! Cheers for now.

[@garycreasey4538]

Great fishing great banter not much more needed in life . Love the thames miss it loads . Out on the whip 2moro for bream and roach . Need a whip vid from ya mate

[@themagicoffishing]

Yes, that’s a nice idea. I do have my match gear down south for the winter… 🤔

[@charliesmithers7663]

Went & sat on the bench by the bridge pool & an hour ago with my coffee John. Beautiful crisp, sunny day. No one on the punt.

[@themagicoffishing]

Oooooooh! What a shame! Well, about no one enjoying a crisp autumn Friday on the pool I mean! The coffee on the bench - which I can picture very clearly from my one visit so far - sounds grand.

[@PinreelPaul]

Cracking video once again and commiserations to Neil, but he was outclassed this time! .. I was born in Essex, but grew up in Nottingham/Chesterfield, so can kinda classify myself as a Northerner. Lived again back south in Dorset, but finally moved back up to Sheffield again. Well done John and look forward to the next adventure :) Cheers Paul. 🎣🎣

[@themagicoffishing]

You’re a right (sorry, in Yorkshire, reet) yo-yo, Paul! I do think it’s great experience to live - and indeed fish - in different parts of the country and it sounds like you’ve been in some great places. Especially now ✊

[@PinreelPaul]

@themagicoffishing haha 15th move since I was born and lived most places in the UK but settled finally near Worksop. But yeah I've fished some lovely waters all over

[@JimCinUK]

Another great video. Perhaps you could do a short video every other week showing rig set ups & quick tips?

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks Jim 👍 Yes I do sometimes wonder about other types of video, such as you suggest or tackle reviews, and I’ve done a few on baits, but the ones with fishing allow me to enjoy a few hours on the bank AND get a vid of course 😁 I will def bear the idea in mind when I can’t get out 👍

[@lifetimeangler]

Those of us that know Neil call him Mr Upside Down Head……for obvious reasons 😂😂

[@themagicoffishing]

🤣 Love it. I’d heard Nelly from a few people but not that one: He did once share a picture of his book cover where someone had photoshopped a picture of the granddad from Only Fools and Horses over his head 😄

[@lifetimeangler]

@ was a while ago now in the days of him fishing with the Buss idiot from Wdaa

[@UNCLETOEKNEE]

Lovely to see you both having a crack John ! And if a man of the stature and reputation as Nelly can admit to some mental health problems, we all can ( suffered myself for 20years now ) - Having only recently returned to fishing, ( most of my tackle is 40yrs old ) I can appreciate the benefit to the napper of being on the river bank and really regret having had such a long break from it. Thank you also for your reply and superb explanation on previous video about the BOLO float - I did reply but for some reason it didnt show up. Am down to having my dressing changed on alternate days now, and can at last get out to the local shops myself, so hopefully only another week or two before I can get on the River Wantsum or the Kentish Stour. ( might have to throw you a gauntlet sometime ?? ) 11degrees here on the Kent coast and I can just make out the French coast from my window - a very still day, shame I cant be out on the rivers though. Just a thought for when you are not able to get out to film content - hows about some indoor footage explaining rigs and equipment that you use ? ( especially different float types, the conditions and reasons for each and how best to fish them ) You have such excellent presentation am sure it would be an interesting and informative watch. Thanks again Sir !

[@neilwayte517]

@@UNCLETOEKNEE thanks for those words . As regards your mental health I hope you are on top of the black dog. I don’t care who you are and how tough you think you are please put your ego away and ask for help. The hardest words to say to a stranger are I need help. If you don’t it can lead to dire consequences like it nearly did with me. However once you have asked for help then you have overcome the greatest hurdle. Don’t get me wrong it never becomes easy but you will be better equipped to cope. Who reads this please big brave enough to say those 3 words. I NEED HELP

[@chrispage1888]

toppled the River Thames King 🏆

[@themagicoffishing]

Hahaha, I did indeed - for one day only 😁 I’m sure we will be back and maybe he’ll help me catch a biggie… 🎣🐟

[@topfuelteddy]

Lovely watch , So nice running the float down a lovely bit of river . Those matrix reels always sound rough to me, maybe its the mic that makes them sound " graunchy " ? The fella Den in Australia uses them and they sound the same .

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks fella! Do you know what, I’m not a fan of those reels, having had two and used them for a few years. The other one has ‘gone’ and the one in that vid is indeed starting to sound crunchy as you say. Not only that but I find the shape of the bail arm can sometimes catch the line near the line pickup when it’s open. I’m close to looking for a new float reel and may go back to old faithful Daiwa or Shimano. I have got a few Matrix feeder reels though and they have been much better.

[@topfuelteddy]

@themagicoffishing My old Shakespeare Mach3 's sound smoother , guess the fish can't hear it though 🤣. Keep up the good content 👍

[@geoffreymeare3406]

Where are you fishing ?

[@themagicoffishing]

I can’t say exacted I’m afraid, as it’s a small a club stretch, but it was in Oxfordshire, so higher up than the previous places I’ve tried on the big river 🎣 Cheers

[@philiphayward5507]

Enclosed lifeboat

[@themagicoffishing]

I knew someone would know! Never seen one in my life before. Many thanks and a brownie point to you! 🥇

[@PawelPopaniski]

Nice spowt wher is dis

[@themagicoffishing]

Thanks. Can’t say I’m afraid - it’s run by a small club.