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A classic upper Severn estuary mark at Lower Framilode with strong tides, steep mud banks and sections of stone floodwall/old quay. The water is highly coloured and brackish; fish the flood and first of the ebb for best results. Thin‑lipped mullet work the margins and any freshwater outfalls, flounder patrol...
Frampton-on-Severn offers access to the upper Severn estuary along the sea wall and saltmarsh. It’s a strongly tidal, very muddy mark with fast currents and a notable bore on big tides. Angling is chiefly from the firm bank/sea wall into gutters and channels across the mud. Best results are typically...
A tidal Severn estuary floodbank mark near Fretherne/Framilode. Fish from the top of the sea wall only—foreshore mud is dangerous and the Severn Bore and fast flood make this an advanced venue. Best on big spring tides, particularly the flood two hours up to high water and the first of...
A tidal rock-and-mud foreshore beneath a low cliff on the outside of the River Severn’s big bend at Westbury-on-Severn. It fishes the upper estuary: powerful currents, a huge tidal range, and the Severn Bore make short, well-timed sessions essential. Best on neaps and during the first of the flood or...
An upper-Severn estuary mark on the outside of a bend by the hamlet of Gatcombe (between Newnham and Lydney). You fish from the floodbank/stone revetment above extensive mudflats, with the main channel drawing close on spring tides. Strong tidal flow and heavy silt demand wired leads and short, well-timed sessions...
Hempsted is a tidal River Severn bank mark on the west side of Gloucester. It’s classic upper-estuary fishing: deep, fast-flowing channels with steep, muddy foreshore, a huge tidal range and the occasional Severn Bore. Most anglers fish from the firm floodbank rather than the mud below. Best results are typically...
Gloucestershire doesn’t have open coast, but it does front the mighty Severn Estuary — a broad, fast-flowing tidal river-scape of sea walls, saltmarsh and deep channels. The world-class tidal range, famous Severn Bore, and chocolate-coloured water make it a challenging but rewarding venue for estuary specialists. Expect flounder, school bass and mullet around docks and harbours, with occasional codling in cold winters toward the lower estuary.
| Season | Likely Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–Jun) | Bass (schoolies), Flounder, Mullet (thin-/thick-lipped) | Bass arrive with warmer temps; mullet show in harbours/docks on neaps and calm days. Crab baits excel for bass and flounder. |
| Summer (Jul–Sep) | Bass, Flounder, Mullet, Eel (release only) | Best consistent sport. Evenings into dark are prime. Eels are common by-catch — retention prohibited; handle carefully and release. |
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | Flounder (peak), Bass (tail-end), Occasional Codling | Big flounder in coloured water; odd codling may appear lower down (Sharpness/Purton) in colder snaps. |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Flounder, Rare Codling | Reduced options; target flounder on smaller tides. Codling only in some years and mostly toward the lower estuary. |
Do I need a licence to fish here?
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| Area | Access & Character | Best Species | Best Methods | Prime Season | Key Safety Notes | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Severn (Sharpness, Purton, Lydney) | Sea walls, working docks, mudflats; some restricted zones | Bass, Flounder, Mullet; odd Smoothhound/Codling | Short-range ledger with crab/worm; mullet float/bread in harbours | May–Oct (bass/mullet), Oct–Feb (flounder) | Strong run on springs; Bore risk; shipping wash; deep mud | Parking at Lydney Harbour; limited around Purton; no facilities on walls |
| Middle Severn (Frampton, Arlingham, Newnham) | Rural sea walls, saltmarsh; footpath access via stiles | Flounder, Bass (schoolies), Mullet (slacks) | Simple ledgering, weak-link leads; occasional mullet tactics | Jun–Oct (bass), Sep–Jan (flounder) | Cut-off hazard on flood; treacherous mud; livestock fields | Very limited parking; no toilets; use Severn Way rights of way |
| Upper Tidal (Minsterworth to Gloucester) | Narrower, powerful tide; Bore country | Flounder, occasional Bass | Short lob ledgering on neaps | Sep–Dec (flounder), Jun–Sep (bass) | Avoid Bore times; extreme surge; unstable banks | Minimal facilities; village parking only |