The Ravensbourne rises in Keston, South East London, and flows for 11 miles through the boroughs of Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich, before joining the Thames. It is a mixture of urban regeneration and urban control, with areas bound in concrete sitting next to others that are as wild as any river in the countryside. It is particularly pretty in Beckenham Place Park and Ladywell Fields.
It is joined on its travels by the rivers Pool and Quaggy as it flows through Lewisham. Its mainly urban life belies a good stock of chub wherever the river is deep enough, though access may be an issue, which is probably better for the fish. It is a pretty river that will get better with care and attention. I have not yet seen any trout, but they are probably there.
I lived just off the South Circular near Catford between 1990 and 1997 and used to cross the Ravensbourne twice a day on my way to and from work in the City. I knew the river well but never saw a fish in it. As I recall, it was mostly confined to concrete culverts back then. I moved out to Kent in 1997 and haven’t revisited the Ravensbourne since, but I hear it’s been much restored. Great to know there are chub in there!