River Great Ouse – Roxton A, Great Barford

The lowdown

• Start with the boundaries: Section A begins at Barford Bridge and heads upstream to an LAA notice board opposite a disused lock. That board is your upstream limit, so keep it in mind as you work along the stretch.
• The bridge swims are the holder’s pick for chub. That gives you a proper starting point if chub are the plan, rather than wandering straight past the bridge in a rush to get farther upstream.
• For bream, pay attention to the water beyond the first fence and before the second. The shoals favour this section, especially in colder months — a handy seasonal pointer when you’re deciding where to settle in.
• Farther upstream, the tree-lined water produces roach and chub. The inside flow tends to slow here, giving this part of the stretch a different feel from the narrower, flowing water near the top boundary.
• Near that upstream limit, the channel pinches in and retains flow when levels are low. The holder recommends this narrower water for warmer months, so it’s worth keeping on your radar for a summer session.
• There’s more than chub, roach and bream on the list: the holder also names perch, dace, pike, tench and carp for this water. Plenty of variety, without needing to treat every swim as the same proposition.
• Getting in is straightforward: approaching the bridge from Blunham, turn left at the lights for the lay-by opposite Barford Bridge Fishery. Cross the bridge, then use the first stile on the left, opposite the Anchor pub.
• Night fishing is allowed without an extra charge, which keeps that side of things nice and simple. Section A is also bookable for Sunday fishing events — worth bearing in mind when planning a cheeky weekend trip.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Let the holder’s swim pointers steer your approach: bridge swims for chub, the water between the first two fences for colder-month bream, and tree-lined water for roach and chub. In warmer months, the narrower upstream section is the recommended option for retained flow.

Access & tickets

You’ll need London Anglers’ Association membership to fish Roxton A; the holder’s handbook lists no day tickets here. Check with the association for the current membership price and joining arrangements.

Fish the club names

chub, bream, roach, perch, pike, tench, carp

Key rules

• Access is through LAA membership; no day tickets are listed for this stretch.
• Members must comply with the association’s rules.
• Anglers must obtain the necessary Environment Agency rod licence.
• Section A runs upstream from Barford Bridge to the LAA notice board opposite the disused lock.

River level

Where it is