Meadowbank Holidays stretch, River Stour

River level

The lowdown

• This is a riverside stretch on the Christchurch bank, tucked inside Meadowbank Holidays between Bournemouth and Christchurch.
• The headline fish is barbel, with fish to 16 lb reported by the rights holder. Proper river sport when they’re on the munch.
• Chub to 7 lb are also reported, so don’t ignore the crease, steadier glides and any cover where a lump might be waiting.
• Bream, pike, perch and roach are named as present too. Roach to 2 lb are reported, which is cracking sport on the right tackle.
• Occasional carp turn up as well. It’s mainly a coarse-fishing job, with plenty of scope for changing tactics if the river’s carrying a bit of colour.
• A feeder is the obvious starting point for barbel and chub. Keep it tidy, fish the flow and look for depth changes rather than just plonking in the middle.
• Trotting is worth considering for the roach and perch when the pace allows. A float run through a glide can be proper bob-on on a settled day.
• The stretch is open only outside the river closed season: fishing isn’t available from 15 March to 15 June. Plan around the open season.
• There’s no stated peg count, measured length, dedicated fishing parking arrangement or night-fishing permission. Don’t assume any of those are included.
• Every angler must collect a permit from reception before fishing. Holiday customers staying at the park can get theirs free, while separate Throop beats 1–3 day permits are a different ticket altogether.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Feeder fishing is the natural shout for barbel and chub, with trotting a neat option for roach and perch when the flow behaves. Keep things simple and fish the river features rather than spreading bait everywhere.

Access & tickets

Holiday customers staying at Meadowbank Holidays can collect a free fishing permit from reception. Every person fishing must get a permit before fishing; the park address is Stour Way, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 2PQ.

Fish the club names

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

Key rules

• Fishing is available to holiday customers staying at Meadowbank Holidays.
• Every person fishing must collect a permit from reception before starting.
• The free Meadowbank permit is for holiday customers staying at the park.
• A rod licence is required where legally applicable.
• The UK river closed season applies from 15 March to 15 June, so fishing is unavailable during that period.
• Day permits for beats 1–3 of the Throop fishery are separate and available from local tackle shops.
• Night-fishing permission is not specified.

Where it is