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River Medway Above Leigh Barrier — Haysden Country Park to Bailey Bridge

A cracking bit of Medway above the Leigh Flood Barrier, running from Six Arches Bridge up to Bailey Bridge. The day-ticket water sits by Haysden Lake, with barbel, bream, roach, chub, pike and perch all in the mix.

Run by Tonbridge & District Angling & Fish Preservation Society · checked 10 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Leigh Flood Storage Area gauge

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

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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

The lowdown

  • The New Cut is the headline stretch. It was made to straighten the river during the Leigh Barrier works, so expect steep artificial banks and some properly chunky fish.
  • Barbel are a principal attraction, with fish reported from 1lb to 8lb. There’s even been a society-record 15lb 2oz fish from the stretch. Proper river fare.
  • Bream fishing can be bob on in the New Cut, with bags of 40lb or more reported. Keep an eye on the flow and look for steadier water where the shoals settle.
  • The Long Reach has a towpath on one bank and woodland on the other. Bream bags to 30lb are described as common, with one reported bag reaching 70lb.
  • Good roach and chub show in the Long Reach on waggler and feeder tactics. In summer, bleak are abundant, so a lighter approach can keep you busy.
  • The Shallows is a former Medway meander cut off by the Leigh Barrier. It holds roach, perch, chub and occasional bream, with a different feel from the main river.
  • Winter is prime time for the pike angler here. Pike fishing in the Shallows is described as excellent, with fish over 25lb recorded. Perch also patrol the margins.
  • Access is via the footpath over the barrier from Haysden Country Park car parks, or from Ensfield Bridge. Haysden charges for parking, has toilets, and the car parks are locked at night.
  • Mind the rules and the surroundings. No fishing under the Ensfield Bridge power cables, and no fishing from bridges. Fires, barbecues, camping and dogs are also banned.

Methods: Barbel are the obvious target, while waggler and feeder work well for roach, chub and bream. Deadbaits are the shout for pike and perch around the margins.

Access & tickets

Standard day ticket

For designated day-ticket waters only; maximum two rods. Buy through the society’s Clubmate ticket system.

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

Society membership

The wider society water is otherwise members-only.

Gold or Platinum permit

Required for night fishing.

Day tickets are obtainable on the bank from society bailiffs. The standard river and lake day ticket costs £10 for one or two rods.

Fish the club names

barbel, bream, roach, pike, perch, chub

Key rules

  • The river close season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
  • Day tickets are valid only on designated day-ticket waters.
  • Standard day tickets allow a maximum of two rods.
  • No fishing under the power cables at Ensfield Bridge.
  • No fishing from bridges.
  • No fires, barbecues, camping or dogs.
  • Carp and pike must not be retained except under specified society match or weighing conditions.

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

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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