A local six year old lad with a good sized carp The Sussex Ouse is a great fishing river due to it's varied nature, the numerous feeder streams and weirs and and the sheer beauty and tranquility of the surrounding countryside. The Anchor Inn Sussex country pub, situated just above the Anchor weir is an ideal location to take advantage of the wide range of angling opportunites the Sussex Ouse offers.
Carp (as pictured) nibble on the weed growing on the hulls of the boats moored off the Anchor Inn's quay. Roach and rudd shoal infront of the Anchor weir. Pike (up to 25lb) are regularly caught just beneath the weir, and chub and perch can be found amongst the reeds and in the eddies. At certain times of the year (and with the right conditions) extraordinarily large sea trout can be caught on small silver spinners and plugs almost anywhere on the river and it's tributaries (but don't believe it's easy... it's not!).
Shaun Holder with his frighteningly large 31¾lb Sussex Ouse pike, caught Feb 2008
From the Anchor it is possible to walk upstream or downstream for many miles, and still stay within the waters of the Ouse Angling Preservation Society. and associated Copthorne Angling Society. Upstream at Vuggles Farm large carp shoal (up to 20lb) and once spotted surface feeding, can be very easy to catch using only a hook and bread flake. At almost any point up to Vuggles Farm roach, chub, dace and also jack pike are in abundance. On the way, some great fishing can be had at the Isfield weir (also known as the Sutton and Newick weir). Downstream from the Anchor weir frighteningly large pike can be had on the Iron River before it joins back up with the Ouse and also just after they've converged. Along the Ouse, whilst it is split from the Iron River (and especially in summer) jack pike can be taken on weedless surface lures such as the Odyssey Sloppee Pig Junior (a jelly frog with perfectly undulating legs). In winter, lures like the Rapala X-Rap and spinners like the Ondex 5 gold decorated and Mepps Comet (size 5 silver) work very well for pike up to 10lb too.
At the split of the two rivers (and where the Bevern Stream enters the Ouse), you can find almost all the different species of fish the Ouse holds (including bream and the odd tench) and further downstream at the Barcombe Mills weir complex there's a large variety of river environments; large deep pools, fast flowing gravel bottomed streams, deep, weedy channels and large, shallow weir pools, providing varied and exciting fishing. It is here that the famous Barcombe Ouse trout pool is located, where large migrating trout can be observed splashing around during hot summer evenings (Ouse Angling Preservation Society trout pool day tickets only. See web site for details).
There are said to be barbel in the Andrews stream at the Barcombe Mills and also just below the Anchor wier. I've not heard any recent evidence for this (but am still hoping to provide some myself!). If anyone catches one or knows of anyone who has caught one in the last three years I'd be glad if they . Thanks
Downstream from the Barcombe Mills weir complex the river becomes tidal and the river becomes deeper, flowing towards Lewes and then into the sea at Newhaven. The largest pike and carp are caught here and the river becomes less gentle and at places very deep.
Top tip: If it's been raining the river can flow quite fast and becomes very muddy indeed, so catching anything becomes virtually impossible. The very best fishing is often had on the first day the river properly clears. The longer it's been muddy the hungrier the fish and and the better the fishing. Pike are especially active at these times.