Summary
Elmore Back sits on the upper Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, a tidal riverbank stretch famed for huge tides and the occasional Severn Bore. It’s a classic spring-to-autumn flounder and bass venue with challenging currents, short casting, and intimate estuary fishing. The mark rewards careful tide timing, strong tackle, and stealth when mullet are about in summer.
Location and Access
This is a rural hamlet and floodbank section south-west of Gloucester, reached via narrow country lanes. Access is straightforward once there, but parking is limited and you must keep gateways and passing places clear.
- Approach via the A38/Quedgeley/Hardwicke area and follow signs towards Elmore/Elmore Back (GL2 district). Use a sat nav for “Elmore Back, Elmore” and then follow the lane to sensible pull-ins.
- Parking: Very limited roadside pull-ins; do not obstruct farm access or residents. No formal car park.
- Access on foot: The Severn Way public footpath runs along the floodbank. Expect a short to moderate walk depending on where you park and which section you choose.
- Terrain: Grassy floodbank with uneven, sometimes slippery slopes; soft ground after rain. The foreshore is dangerous estuary mud—do not go onto the mud.
- Best first-time tactic is to walk the bank at low water to identify safe standing spots above the mud line and any snags visible in the channel.
Seasons
The upper Severn Estuary here holds a mix of sea and estuarine species. Bass and flounder headline, with mullet in the warmer months and the odd winter codling in cold years.
- Spring (Mar–May):
- Flounder (resident fish, peak with first warmth)
- School bass (often on crab and worm)
- Thick-lipped mullet start showing on neaps and in calmer back-eddies
- Silver eel are present but protected (release)
- Summer (Jun–Aug):
- Bass (best June–Sept, especially on crab/prawn)
- Thick-lipped and thin-lipped mullet (calm, clear neaps)
- Flounder (all summer)
- Autumn (Sep–Nov):
- Bass (often the peak months)
- Flounder (good numbers through to early winter)
- Occasional codling in some years during hard northerlies/cold snaps
- Winter (Dec–Feb):
- Flounder on settled neaps
- Odd codling in colder winters; otherwise quiet
- Migratory/protected species you may encounter and must not target: salmon, sea trout, twaite/allis shad, lamprey, and European eel.
Methods
Fast tides and heavy silt demand simple, robust sea gear. Short, accurate casting into the near-channel is far more effective than blasting to the horizon.
- Rods/reels/lines:
- 12–13 ft beachcasters or strong estuary rods; quality fixed spool or 525-size multiplier.
- 20–25 lb mono or 30–40 lb braid with 60–80 lb shockleader.
- 6–8 oz wired (gripper) leads are the norm; carry 5–7 oz for neaps and 7–8 oz for springs.
- Rigs:
- 2-hook flapper for flounder with size 2–1 hooks, small beads/spoons for attraction.
- Pulley or pulley-pennel with 2/0–3/0 for bass/codling. Keep snoods short (12–18 cm) to reduce spin in tide.
- Use impact clips and bait elastic so baits arrive intact in the flow.
- Baits:
- Peeler crab (prime for bass in spring/early summer), shore crab in autumn.
- Ragworm and lugworm for flounder and school bass; lug/crab or lug/squid cocktails for codling.
- Prawn/shrimp (peeled) is excellent for bass on neaps and in clearer water.
- Bread flake or crust for mullet; small rag “maddies” for thin-lips with a spoon.
- Techniques/timing:
- Cast slightly uptide and allow the lead to dig in; most bites are close—often within 10–30 m of the bank on the flood.
- Mullet: float or delicate ledgering in slack pockets at high water on neaps; keep noise to a minimum.
- Night sessions can be productive for bass in late summer/early autumn if debris is manageable.
Tides and Conditions
This stretch is all about reading the tide. The Severn’s range is huge, the flow fierce, and the bore on big springs can make or break a session—and poses a serious hazard.
- Best tide windows:
- Neap to mid-range tides are most manageable; fish 2 hours before to 2 hours after high water.
- On bigger springs, try the last hour of the flood and first hour of the ebb once the main surge settles.
- Severn Bore considerations:
- Avoid being on or near the foreshore for at least 20–30 minutes before the predicted bore time, and wait until the water has stabilised afterwards.
- Some anglers find a brief feeding spell immediately after the bore; only attempt this from well above the mud on the bank.
- Conditions:
- Slightly coloured water is normal; true clarity is rare. Lures can work only on smaller tides and settled weather.
- After heavy rain, expect debris and weed on the ebb—fish the flood or neaps to reduce fouling.
- Evening flood tides in late summer/autumn are prime for bass.
Safety
This is a serious tidal river with lethal mud and a fast, rising flood—treat it with full respect. The mark is not suitable for wheelchair users and can be tricky for those with limited mobility.
- Stay on the floodbank; do not step onto the foreshore mud at any state of tide.
- Be off the lower bank well before any Severn Bore; the surge can arrive earlier than expected.
- Wear a personal flotation device, use a headtorch at night, and keep a safe distance from the edge when the tide is high.
- Expect floating debris (large logs) and sudden surges; secure tripods and keep rods high to clear weed.
- Fields may hold livestock; keep dogs on leads and respect farm infrastructure.
- Waders are not advised; studded boots help on wet grass. Avoid fishing alone at night.
- Mobile signal is generally fair but can dip behind the bank—tell someone your plan and exit point.
Facilities
Elmore Back is rural with no on-site amenities. Plan to be self-sufficient for food, water, and toilets.
- No public toilets at the mark; nearest options are pubs/cafés in Hardwicke/Quedgeley or on the A38.
- Tackle/bait: Several shops in the Gloucester/Quedgeley area; buy bait before arriving.
- Pubs/food: Options within a short drive (e.g., Hardwicke/Quedgeley; also venues along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal).
- Phone signal: Generally OK on major networks but can be patchy on the lower bank.
Tips
Local anglers fish light where possible and place baits accurately into feeding lanes, not the middle of the river. Keep your footprint small—this is a quiet residential and farming area.
- Don’t overcast: many fish patrol tight to the bank on the flood; start at 10–20 m and work out.
- Use weak-link (rotten-bottom) set-ups to save leads if snagging on stones or submerged branches.
- Keep snoods short in the flow; long traces twist and spin in the Severn’s current.
- Peeler crab in May–June and peeled prawn in late summer are consistent bass winners here.
- For flounder, add a small silver/red spoon or bead chain 5–8 cm above the hook to lift interest in coloured water.
- Check a reputable Severn Bore timetable before any spring-tide trip and plan your position and exit accordingly.
- Park considerately; locals’ goodwill keeps access viable. Early arrival on busy tides helps secure a safe spot.
Regulations
This stretch is tidal and subject to a mix of marine and EA controls. Always check the latest national and local byelaws before you go.
- Bass: Recreational bass rules (size limits, open seasons, and daily bag limits) change periodically. Check current UK government/MMO guidance before retaining any bass.
- European eel: It is illegal to retain European eel; return all eels immediately.
- Migratory fish: Do not target salmon, sea trout, or shad. Any accidentally caught specimens must be returned alive at once.
- Rod licence: You do not need an EA rod licence to fish solely for sea fish, but if you target or keep freshwater/coarse species (including smelt/eel), an EA licence is required in tidal waters.
- Netting/longlines: Prohibited without appropriate authorisations. Angling is by rod and line only.
- Protected sites: Much of the Severn Estuary is SSSI/SPA/Ramsar. Do not drive on the floodbank, camp, light fires, or dig bait on saltmarsh; follow Severn Way signage and keep gates closed.
- Local access: Sections cross private farmland—stick to the public path, keep dogs on leads, and take all litter home.
- If signage on the day restricts access or fishing in specific spots (e.g., works, erosion), comply and relocate.
