Ghost Pike of the Thames Oxbow
Temple Foot oxbow, Henley-on-Thames
Temple Foot oxbow, the cut‑off pool upstream from Henley Bridge, is where the Ghost Pike first earned its name among Thames anglers. A pale Esox lucius, the size of local trophies, is said to glide the reed margins on thick October nights, showing a flash of white against the mist.
Accounts go back to 19th‑century bank yarns; a lone angler at Temple Foot saw a silhouette slip beneath moonlight and felt the water change as if a barge had passed — then nothing. The Ghost Pike joined the same river folklore that keeps the Headless Boatman of Marlow and the Screaming Spectre of Iffley on tiptoe.
Night‑stalking and practical signs
Best stalking in October–November when cool water draws jacks to shallow reed edges. Look for slashes on the surface and nervy roach schooling. Tackle: a stout spinning rod, 20–30 lb braided line and a 40 lb wire trace. Try 4–6 inch blade spinners trolled slowly in 4–8 ft of water or float roach on a calm channel.
When the story turns kitchen‑side, Thames pike become pike cakes and potted pike, minced with parsley, lemon and a whisper of mustard — the sort of riverside supper that seals a night tale. A pale flank cutting the mist and a ringing leader are the last confirmations: the Ghost Pike moves through reed and moonlight, then vanishes into weedbeds.
Recommended: high‑strength braided line