Great Ouse – Kempston

River level

The lowdown

• This is the Great Ouse at Kempston, near Bedford. A proper mixed bag sort of venue.
• Barbel are present in selected swims, so those pegs are the ones to keep in mind if you’re after a bigger fish.
• Decent chub are said to be present throughout the length. That gives the stretch plenty of appeal beyond the barbel swims.
• Silver fish can turn up in large quantities. Handy if you fancy a busy session rather than waiting all day for one bite.
• Roach and dace are specifically named, adding a bit of classic river sport to the venue.
• Perch are also on the club’s list, so there’s a decent spread of named species for a mixed fishery.
• The club’s Kempston page includes a map and plan for the stretch. Worth checking that before setting off and picking your swim.
• There’s no published stretch length or peg count, so don’t bank on a numbered-peg venue or a quick way of judging its size.
• The club does not publish a Kempston-specific day-ticket price. Access is through Vauxhall Angling Club membership.
• Keep your club card and current Environment Agency rod licence with you. Fish stay in the water, and all gates must be shut and secured.
• Specimen fishing means a suitable unhooking mat. Gaffs, bait boats and open fires are prohibited, while tents are not allowed on club venues.

Methods: It’s a mixed-fishery water, so a session can be geared towards barbel, chub or the silver fish. The selected barbel swims and the chub running throughout the length are the key bits to weigh up.

Access & tickets

Apply for annual Vauxhall Angling Club membership through Clubmate via the club’s membership page. Have a head-and-shoulders photo, your full address and rod-licence number ready.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, roach, perch

Key rules

• Members must carry their club identification card on club waters.
• Anglers must have and show a current Environment Agency rod licence when asked.
• Fish must not be removed from club waters or transferred between club waters.
• Gaffs are prohibited.
• Boats, dinghies, lilos and bait boats are prohibited unless sanctioned by the committee for maintenance work.
• A suitable unhooking mat is required for specimen fishing.
• Keepnets may not contain more than 50 lb of fish; where allowed, carp and silver fish must be kept separately.
• Tents are prohibited. Bivvies must not be left unattended for more than one hour in any 24-hour period.
• All gates must be closed and secured, and anglers must remove litter and dead fish from the banks.
• Open fires are prohibited unless authorised for maintenance work.

Where it is