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Colber Stretch – Sturminster Newton

A quiet, moderately deep Dorset Stour stretch around Colber Bridge, northwest of Sturminster Newton. Both banks are fishable, with slower water, reeds and a properly deep old railway-bridge hole where perch gather as winter rolls on.

Run by Sturminster and Hinton Angling Association · checked 6 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

The lowdown

  • Colber Bridge is the centre of the stretch, and you’ll need to walk in from Sturminster Newton. It’s a peaceful bit of river, with relatively little disturbance outside summer visits from swimmers.
  • Both banks are available. The upstream right bank is the handy one for pole anglers, running from the footbridge to the collapsed railway bridge roughly 300 yards upstream.
  • That main upstream section has good depth and a slower flow. Ideal territory for trotting, fishing the crease or settling a feeder where the pace eases off.
  • Push farther upstream and the reeds get denser. Swims become more spaced out there, so expect a bit more legwork between pegs rather than a swim every few yards.
  • The upstream left bank is less fished, though accessible swims are fewer and farther apart. Worth a look if you fancy getting away from the busier bank.
  • The former railway bridge area is accessible from both sides. The old footings create very deep water, and fish tend to gather there as winter progresses. Properly worth a look in colder months.
  • Downstream, the right bank fishes for a few hundred yards from the footbridge. The left bank carries on through the Durrant Stretch to the mill, giving the wider area more room to explore.
  • Roach, dace and perch are available in good numbers, with the section noted for big perch. Match reports mention perch of 2–3 lb as the season progresses, so a cheeky perch approach could pay.
  • Summer swimmers can cause a bit of disturbance around Colber Bridge. Outside that, the quiet character and slower flow suit a relaxed day with float gear, a light feeder or targeted perch tackle.

Methods: Pole fishing, trotting and light feeder work all fit the steady, deeper flow. For perch, concentrate around the old railway-bridge footings, especially as winter progresses.

Access & tickets

Day ticket

River Stour venues. Must be purchased online before fishing; not issued on the bank.

£10 (as listed 6 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Weekly ticket

River Stour venues. Must be purchased online before fishing; not issued on the bank.

£20 (as listed 6 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Day tickets can be bought online through the Sturminster and Hinton Angling Association website or from listed outlets. Outlet purchases require cash, and tickets must be sorted before you start fishing.

Fish the club names

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

Key rules

  • All fish, including pike and eels, must be returned unharmed.
  • Live bait, gorge hooks, gaffs, night lines, trimmers and bank runners are prohibited.
  • Pike fishing requires a minimum 36-inch net.
  • Two rods are allowed only when at least one is being used for pike fishing with fish bait.
  • Dogs are not allowed on association waters.
  • Fires are prohibited.

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

River level integration coming for this stretch.

Where it is

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

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