The Noose Fishing

Summary

The Noose is the great horseshoe bend of the River Severn between Newnham and the Arlingham peninsula in Gloucestershire. It’s a classic upper-estuary mark: huge tides, fast water, heavy mud, and surprisingly good sport for bass, flounder and (historically) winter codling. Anglers come for the dramatic setting, the Severn Bore, and the challenge of fishing powerful, coloured water that rewards tidy tactics and respect for the river.

Location and Access

This mark refers to various pegs along the sweeping bend opposite Newnham-on-Severn and around the Arlingham sea wall. Access is typically via public footpaths on the flood bank; much of the foreshore is private farmland and deep mud, so stick to signed rights of way.

• East bank (Arlingham side): Approach via lanes from Frampton-on-Severn/Framilode toward Arlingham; limited verge parking near the village and signed access to the Severn Way on the sea wall. Be considerate, don’t block gates, and expect a 10–25 minute walk along the bank to chosen pegs.
• West bank (Newnham/Awre side): Small lanes from Newnham or Awre lead to the river; access is patchy and often across private land. Use only marked footpaths and observe any “No Access/Private” signs. Parking is very limited; village parking and a longer walk is the safer bet.
• Terrain: Grass-covered flood bank and rough tracks; the foreshore is treacherous silt. Fish from the top or inner slope of the bank, not from the mud.
• Postcodes for orientation only: Arlingham GL2 area; Newnham GL14 area. Sat-nav will only get you close—final access is on foot.

Seasons

The Severn here is turbid and brackish; fish feed by scent on the edges and scours. Expect seasonal shifts and short feeding windows around the tide.

• Spring to early summer:
  • Bass (schoolies common; bigger fish in May–July on crab)
  • Flounder (resident fish; best on neaps)
  • Thin-lipped and thick-lipped mullet in quieter eddies (sightings increase late spring)
• Mid to late summer:
  • Bass (dawn/dusk; small to mid doubles are rare but possible)
  • Flounder (can be very good on smaller tides)
  • Occasional eel (must be released)
• Autumn to winter:
  • Codling used to feature; now sporadic but still possible after blows and freshes
  • Whiting are sporadic this far upriver; more reliable farther down-estuary
  • Flounder remain the banker species
• Occasionally/incidentally (must release if protected):
  • Twaite/allis shad in late spring runs (protected)
  • Salmon/sea trout smolts and adults (protected)

Methods

Heavy estuary tactics are the norm: grip leads to hold, scent-rich baits, and rigs that keep hooks fishing in fast, dirty water.

• Rigs:
  • 1-hook up-and-over or pulley (3/0–4/0) for bass/codling; long snoods (3–4 ft) help baits waft
  • 2-hook flapper (size 1–2) for flounder when flow allows
  • Rotten-bottom links strongly advised around snags and rock armour
• Weights and tackle:
  • 5–7 oz breakout leads on neaps; 7–8 oz on springs
  • 12–15 ft beach rod, robust fixed spool or multiplier, 20–30 lb mono or 30–50 lb braid with 60 lb shock leader
• Baits:
  • Fresh peeler crab in spring/early summer for bass
  • Black lug or blow lug; lug/squid cocktails for codling when conditions suit
  • Ragworm for flounder; add small beads/attractor spoons in slower water
  • Mackerel or bluey strips can pick out bass bites in coloured water
• Presentation and placement:
  • Cast to the base of the bank and along gutters rather than blasting long—fish patrol tight in
  • Keep baits well bound with cotton; rebait frequently to beat crab attention
  • Short, sharp sessions bracketing high water often out-fish all-day sits

Tides and Conditions

Tide is king here. Plan around the flood, avoid the bore on big springs, and expect debris and weed after rainfall.

• Best tide states:
  • Generally 2 hours up to high water and the first hour of the ebb; true slack is brief
  • Neap to mid tides often fish better and are safer to hold bottom
• Severn Bore:
  • On large springs the bore can arrive with force; do not fish at or below the water’s edge anywhere near bore times
• Conditions:
  • Coloured water is normal; a slight fresh from rain can help bass/codling, but heavy flood brings weed/logs
  • Dawn and dusk bites are worth targeting in summer; daylight windows around HW in winter
• Seasonality:
  • April–October for bass and flounder; November–January for any codling opportunities after blows

Safety

This is a high-risk estuary environment. The mud is deep, the tide is among the fastest in the UK, and the bore is hazardous.

• Never go onto the foreshore mud or the outer face below the flood bank—fish from the top/inner slope only
• Check Severn Bore times and tide heights; leave the waterline well before the bore and rising tide
• Wear a buoyancy aid/lifejacket, carry a headtorch, whistle and fully charged phone
• Use studded boots for wet grass, and keep well back from undercut edges
• Beware floating debris on the ebb and strong cross-currents on springs
• Access often crosses farmland: keep dogs on leads, respect livestock, close gates, and obey signage
• Mobility: long, uneven walks on grassy banks; not suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility

Facilities

Expect few facilities at the mark itself; plan to be self-sufficient and tidy.

• Parking: limited village/verge parking near Arlingham; better to park in-village and walk
• Toilets/refreshments: pubs and cafés in Arlingham and Newnham; fuller services in Lydney and Frampton-on-Severn
• Tackle and bait: check Gloucester/Chepstow/Lydney area tackle shops for fresh lug, rag, and crab in season; pre-order bait
• Phone signal: variable but usually workable on the bank tops; can drop in low spots
• No lighting or shelter; bring headtorch, spare batteries, and windproof layers

Tips

Regulars keep things simple and safe. Small tweaks make a big difference in the Severn’s flow.

• Fish tight: most bites come within 20–40 yards along the scours at the foot of the bank
• Fresh bait matters: peeler in spring, quality lug for winter—don’t skimp on scent
• Use a long drop and dampened line to stop rigs tumbling in the wind
• A short weak-link/rotten-bottom saves leads when snagged near rock armour
• Log bore and tide heights against your catch notes; patterns repeat on similar ranges
• On codling days, a lug/squid cocktail trimmed neat outfishes over-gunned squid bombs
• Keep noise and headtorches low at dusk—bass will run very close
• Pack up early on springs; the ebb rips hard and drags debris into your lines

Regulations

Regulations change—check the latest with the Devon & Severn IFCA, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and the Environment Agency before you go. Key points relevant to this area:

• No rod licence is required for sea fish in tidal waters, but it is illegal to target or retain migratory salmonids (salmon/sea trout); any accidental capture must be released
• Shad (allis and twaite) are protected; do not target, and release immediately if foul-hooked during spring runs
• European eel retention is prohibited; release all eels promptly
• Bass rules: minimum size and seasonal bag limits apply (commonly a 42 cm minimum and a limited daily bag in-season). Check current MMO/IFCA notices for exact dates and limits before fishing
• Local byelaws: netting and nursery-area restrictions apply in parts of the Severn Estuary; while mainly aimed at boats and nets, shore anglers must still comply with any local prohibitions
• Conservation designations (SSSI/SAC/Ramsar): keep to rights of way, avoid disturbing overwintering birds, and do not drive on flood banks or saltmarsh
• Private land: much of the foreshore is privately owned; use only public paths and spots with permissive access, and heed any on-site restrictions or closures