Harrold Upper

River level

The lowdown

• This is a proper remote, peaceful venue. No easy car-to-peg job here — you’ll be walking in and travelling light.
• Harrold Upper covers three fields. Enter through the upstream field from the track, then work down through the two lower fields before the section flows into Harrold Lower.
• The access track comes off Harrold Road between Lavendon and Harrold. Look for the club signage, using MK46 4HX for the general location.
• Park beside the derelict barn before entering the fields. Don’t drive past meadow gates unless you’ve got permission from the landowner or committee.
• The river itself can offer a mix of deep pools, quicker shallow water and wider open stretches across the wider OCFA waters. Plenty to explore, so keep mobile.
• The section had barely been fished for several years when OCFA added it for 2023–24. That gives it a fresh, unsettled feel rather than a well-worn circuit.
• Barbel have been heavily stocked upstream. Further down, perch, carp and roach have already produced good catches, though the full mix of fish in Harrold Upper is still not known.
• With the walk and natural setting, keep the kit sensible. Trotting, feeder work and lighter roving approaches should suit the varied water better than lugging everything imaginable.
• The closed season for coarse fishing runs from 15 March to 15 June. Once open, expect the river to change with colour and flow, so a bit of flexibility will be bob on.
• Night fishing is allowed, but after sundown bite alarms or night-lites are required. No guests at pegs between 8pm and 8am, and no reserving swims.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Travel light and fish the water in front of you. Trotting the glides, feedering deeper pools and roving for barbel, perch, carp or roach are the obvious starting points.

Access & tickets

Day tickets are available online from Olney & Clifton Fishing Association. The official price is £5 for 18 hours; check the marked night-fishing conditions before fishing after dark.

Fish the club names

barbel, perch, carp, roach

Key rules

• No camping tents; fishing shelters or bivvies only.
• No open fires or barbecues. Camping stoves are acceptable.
• No guests at pegs between 8pm and 8am.
• No swimming or boating.
• Reserving swims is prohibited.
• Coarse fishing is closed from 15 March to 15 June.
• Coarse fish must not be killed or removed, except specified alien species such as zander and red signal crayfish.
• Landing nets are compulsory. Unhooking mats are required for specimen fishing. Dogs need prior committee agreement.

Where it is