Seven Meadows, Stratford-upon-Avon

The lowdown

• The stretch starts right below Lucy’s Mill footbridge and Seven Meadows Road bridge, so you’re straight into proper town-centre Avon fishing.
• Sausage Island sits immediately below the Seven Meadows Road bridge. The right-hand side is non-navigable to boats, giving that bit a quieter feel.
• There’s loads of variety under your feet: fast shallow water, slack areas, reed beds, snags and deeper holes. Plenty to go looking for.
• The gravel-bottomed sections are well suited to barbel, and they’re spread throughout the stretch rather than being confined below the weir.
• The weir is described as a typical Avon barbel and chub venue. Expect flow, depth changes and fish using the crease and the steadier water beside it.
• Chub show around reed beds, far-bank cover and the downstream meadows. A tidy line towards cover could be the ticket when conditions are right.
• The first meadow has accessible pegs and newer fishing platforms. It also holds bream and rudd, making it a handy area for a more mixed bag.
• Meadows 4–7 are noted for consistent fishing and far-bank cover. There’s scope for keeping things simple or picking apart individual features.
• Carp are named around Sausage Island and near the marina entrance. Don’t overlook the quieter margins and slack water there.
• The association lists feeder, waggler, stick-float, pole and lead fishing as suitable approaches. Check the bookings calendar first, as club visits and matches can close the water.

Methods: There’s plenty of scope here: trot the shallower gravel and steady water with a stick-float or waggler, or use feeder and lead tactics around deeper holes, cover and the weir. Pole fishing is also listed as suitable.

Access & tickets

Non-members need the relevant ticket or guest arrangement. Day tickets for waters other than Seven Meadows are described as guest tickets bought by an existing member; a two-week holiday pass is also available online across Stratford AA waters, excluding Hampton Lucy Brook. Membership and day-ticket cards are available from the association secretary and listed tackle shops.

Fish the club names

barbel, carp, bream, rudd, chub

Key rules

• Day-ticket anglers must carry proof of purchase while fishing.
• A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• Check the association’s water-bookings calendar before fishing.
• The water may be unavailable during visiting-club bookings and association matches.
• Matches generally make the water unavailable from 8:00am to 2:15pm, after which fishing is available.
• Fish welfare is encouraged; avoid excessive time in keepnets.
• The right-hand side of Sausage Island is non-navigable to boats.

River level

Where it is