Stony Ouse / Passenham Meadow (Long Meadow)

River level

The lowdown

• The Stony Ouse section stretches about 1,300 yards upstream from Watling Street at Old Stratford to the weir. Named bits include Toombs Meadow, Hollands Field and Brush Meadow.
• Passenham Meadow — also called Long Meadow — runs north-west of Stony Stratford, from Passenham village towards Brush Mill. It’s rural, open and nicely meadowy.
• There are no hard paths along the Passenham bank, so expect a bit of walking and some proper grass-bank fishing rather than a manicured venue.
• The river has a useful mix of bends, deeper areas and shallow runs. Overhanging willows should give you fish-holding cover and a few cheeky ambush spots.
• The Brush Mill backwater can fish well during floods. Worth keeping in mind when the main river gets a bit of colour and extra push.
• It’s a popular match and pleasure venue, so keep your eyes peeled for booked matches. No fishing is allowed opposite a booked match.
• Species named for these waters include chub, perch, roach, bream, pike, dace and tench. MKAA describes chub over 7 lb on the Stony Ouse and chub to about 7 lb at Passenham.
• There’s some proper stamp in the river too: perch to about 4 lb and bream to about 8 lb are described on the Stony Ouse. Trotting, feeder work and exploring the crease all fit the character of the place.
• Access Passenham from the free car park just inside the field gate at Passenham village, signed as a Parks Trust grazing area. You can also reach it over the iron bridge at Brush Mill.
• Watch the overhead cables at Passenham. Keep the gate shut, don’t block the farmer’s access, and stick to designated parking.

Methods: A flexible match-and-pleasure setup suits it nicely: trot the shallow runs and creases, fish a feeder into the deeper bends, and look for chub tight to the willows. In flood conditions, the Brush Mill backwater is well worth a look.

Access & tickets

MKAA day tickets are available from bailiffs. Annual membership is also available through Milton Keynes Angling Association.

Fish the club names

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

Key rules

• No fishing opposite a booked match.
• The statutory river close season applies from 15 March through 15 June inclusive.
• Keep the field gate closed.
• Do not obstruct the farmer’s access.
• Take all litter home; cans, tins and glass bottles are not allowed onto MKAA waters.
• Cars must be left only in designated parking areas.
• Beware of overhead cables at Passenham.
• A maximum stay of six consecutive nights applies under MKAA rules.

Where it is