Bull and Steart stretches, River Stour

River level

The lowdown

• The Bull stretch fishes on the right-hand bank downstream, with generally accessible swims and convenient parking opposite The Bull Inn. Do not use the pub’s car park.
• The Bull water is typically around 10–11 feet deep, so there’s plenty of depth for a steady feeder or float approach. The wider association water ranges from about 4 to 15 feet.
• Upstream of the car park, you can fish for a couple of hundred yards towards the road bridge. Handy stuff if you want a shorter wander and a few different pegs.
• There are two disabled fishing platforms within roughly 50 yards of the car park. Bob on for anyone needing easier access to the water.
• Downstream, the right-hand bank runs for more than a mile from the car park. The Creamery swim is a more isolated option if you fancy getting away from the busier access point.
• The Coach Road section starts on the left-hand bank downstream and is reached through a gate off Bridge Street. Roadside parking there is informal and limited, so it can be a bit of a faff.
• Ham fields sit further downstream on the left-hand bank. There’s no riverside walk straight through from Coach Road, and access is via limited parking on Penny Lane.
• The river mixes shallow streamy runs with slower, deeper bends. That gives you plenty to play with, from trotting the runs to working a feeder through the deeper meanders.
• Bream, chub, dace, perch, pike, roach, rudd and tench are named across the association’s waters. Reported fish include bream over 9lb, chub over 6lb and pike to 32lb.

Methods: Trotting the shallower runs should be well worth a go, while feeder work looks the ticket in the deeper, slower water. For pike, bring a minimum 36-inch landing net and stick to the stated rules.

Access & tickets

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

bream, chub, roach, pike, perch, tench, rudd

Named by Sturminster and Hinton Angling Association across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Tickets must be bought before fishing begins; no tickets are issued on the bank.
• All fish, including pike and eels, must be returned unharmed.
• Live bait, gorge hooks, gaffs, night lines, trimmers and bank runners are prohibited.
• A minimum 36-inch landing net is required when pike fishing.
• Dogs are not allowed to accompany members on association waters.
• Fires are prohibited.
• Do not block gateways or lanes, and close gates after passing through.
• At The Bull, anglers must not use The Bull Inn’s car park.

Where it is