Grove Ferry – River Great Stour stretch

River level

The lowdown

• This is the Grove Ferry section on the tidal River Stour, separate from CDAA’s Fordwich Complex and Plucks Gutter stretches.
• You can fish both upstream and downstream from Grove Ferry, with both banks accessible from the area. That gives you a fair bit of water to explore.
• CDAA says there are marked pegs in at least some areas, and the stretch is a regular competition venue. So there’s proper match-water pedigree here.
• The association reports fish throughout the Grove Ferry section, rather than everything being crammed into a couple of lucky pegs. Handy when you fancy a wander.
• Roach are a key name from the stretch, with CDAA competition results including substantial roach weights. Mixed silver-fish catches are also reported.
• Skimmer bream and perch are specifically reported from Grove Ferry. Bream catches have also come from around the picnic-site area.
• Pike are reported too, giving the stretch a bit more variety than a straight silver-fish-only venue. Tench are recorded across wider CDAA Stour and Fordwich waters, but not specifically for this named section.
• It’s attractive countryside between Fordwich and Grove Ferry, sitting within a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an internationally designated Ramsar site. Keep the vegetation and wildlife well alone.
• The tidal bit matters. Conditions and the river level can change, so take proper care around the banks and keep an eye on what the water is doing.
• The south bank has pay car parking at Grove Ferry and can also be reached on foot from Stodmarsh via Lampen Wall. North-bank parking is limited from 1 October.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: The named fish point towards classic mixed silver-fish fishing, with roach, skimmers and perch reported, while pike add another option. Pick your approach around the tidal conditions and the swim on the day.

Access & tickets

Plucks Gutter is CDAA association-members water rather than a published public day-ticket stretch. For 2026/27, the adult two-rod subscription is £184 plus a £75 first-year entrance fee for new adult members; juniors pay £50 plus a £10 first-year entrance fee.

Fish the club names

roach, bream, pike, perch

Key rules

• A valid CDAA membership is required for normal fishing access.
• Guest tickets must be purchased in advance by an eligible CDAA member.
• Guest anglers must fish next to the responsible CDAA member.
• Guest tickets are subject to CDAA postal-area and advance-booking conditions.
• Coarse fishing is seasonal and must comply with the statutory river close season.
• The river is tidal, so take care around changing tide and river conditions.
• Do not damage natural vegetation or disturb wildlife in the SSSI and Ramsar area.
• All fishing is subject to CDAA rules and byelaws.

Where it is