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The mighty relief channel is probably known more for the birth place of zander fishing in this country back in 1963 than any other reason.
The channel was initially built after the the floods back in 1947 as a flood prevention aid.
The channel itself runs from Denver sluice just through downham market where its joined to the cut off channel and the river GT Ouse and runs for 11 miles through to saddlebow sluice just before kings Lynn where it empties out eventually into the wash.
The relief channel is the widest drain on the fens and is around 80 to 100 yards wide but not the deepest with its depth being around 12 to 13ft deep approximately .The channel is controlled by the king Lynn angling association (KLAA) for it entire length except the section from the EA signs adjacent to the moorings to the sewer works on the west bank down stream of Magdalen bridge.
Day tickets can be purchased on the bank at £3.50 per day but to night fish this and other klaa waters you will need to buy a full season tickets which cost £34.00 these can be bought from various places or purchased off the bailiff on the bank.
The relief channel has been a magical and frustrating place to fish and has rightly held the zander record on various occasions through out its history up to this present day .
The last time it held the record was D. Litton 17lb 12oz specimen back in Oct 1977 and has done other notable fish since . I,ve personally had some good zander into double figures from here and i rate there captures highly as for every session which is successful blanks are the norm.
In some sections of this drain it is lined heavenly now with reeds reducing its width and making vast area virtually un fish able, but to some anglers wanting to put the effort in and wanting to cut swims out can pay dividends in these area .
Probably cause of these area,s it doesn't,t get a lot of pressure but i think this is probably more to do with its size and to some looks very daunting indeed .
The channel has 6 bridges crossing it in various places along it length which give anglers good access and a lot of scope to where to fish and can even get themselves out of the way if they want .
Its my opinion i think the channel is one of the hardest drains to fish and its not uncommon to have multiple blanks on the trot on here .
But i,ve found it fishes at its best when there is a good wind blowing and coming down the drain but these can be a bit difficult to fish in. I would advise any would be zander anglers who wants to start zedding to start on some easier venues first before trying to tackle this water.
Also this get some strong flows especially during the winter months or period of exceptional prolonged wet conditions when the gates are open for periods of time the level will drop significantly and during these times using heavy leads (3oz) close in can also be pulled out of position in these conditions very easier which making these condition difficult to fish in but possible .
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