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Sopley Main River, River Avon (Hampshire), Dorset–Hampshire boundary

Sopley Main River gives Christchurch Angling Club members approximately 2 km of left-bank Hampshire Avon fishing, with deep glides, gravel bars and overhanging trees. Large chub dominate, and the lower access can be properly boggy — wellies or waders are usually needed.

Run by Christchurch Angling Club · checked 5 Oct 2026

The lowdown

  • This is Christchurch Angling Club water on the Dorset–Hampshire boundary, with Sopley village over in Hampshire. There’s approximately 2 km of left-bank fishing, so keep that bank and those boundaries firmly in mind.
  • The stretch starts where the mill stream diverges and finishes at the Mill Stream Fishery boundary, above the channels’ confluence. Don’t treat the joining channels as the finish line — the club’s stretch ends before them.
  • Deep glides, gravel bars, overhanging trees and ranunculus give this bit of Avon its character. A cracking mix of river features, rather than one uniform run of water from end to end.
  • Large chub are the headline fish here. Barbel, dace, roach and pike are also present, while the club additionally names eels, grayling and perch. Plenty of variety without needing to dress it up.
  • Carp and bream visit the stretch too. That’s worth keeping in mind, but chub remain the main story; visiting fish aren’t the same thing as a guaranteed shoal sitting in every swim.
  • The lower access is the bit to take seriously: boggy ground and small carriers to cross can make getting about a faff. Waders or wellingtons are usually needed year-round, not just for winter trips.
  • The fishing window runs from 16 June to 31 January, for coarse fishing only. Daily access starts at 7 am and ends two hours after sunset. A cheeky overnight session is off the cards.
  • Club parking is opposite Sopley Church, and there are no toilets. The fishery sits within an SSSI, dogs aren’t allowed, and fishing directly opposite the mill is prohibited — useful details to have bob on before setting off.

Methods: It’s coarse fishing only, with a maximum of two rods and braided mainline permitted. If you’re lure fishing, leave the spinners, spoons and Devon minnows out of the tackle bag — all three are prohibited.

Access & tickets

Full annual membership

Open to everyone and valid for 365 days. New members pay an additional £20 joining fee.

£182 (as listed 5 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

14-day holiday membership

Starts on the purchase date.

£120 (as listed 5 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

7-day holiday membership

The membership text says £70, but the fee table says £90. Confirm the price before purchasing. Starts on the purchase date.

Arrange membership or an eligible guest ticket through Christchurch Angling Club; annual membership runs for 365 days from joining. Buy holiday membership before entering, and follow the current guest-ticket page’s one-guest limit rather than the venue table’s two.

Fish the club names

chub, barbel, roach, pike, carp, bream, eel, perch

Key rules

  • Coarse fishing only, from 16 June to 31 January.
  • Access from 7 am until two hours after sunset; night fishing is prohibited.
  • Two rods maximum.
  • Braided mainline is permitted.
  • Dogs are prohibited.
  • Fishing directly opposite the mill is prohibited.
  • Spinners, spoons and Devon minnows are prohibited when lure fishing.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Knapp Mill gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

Loading latest reading…

We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open River Ready

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

Community reported

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