River Ouse, Little Thetford — west bank to Barham Lock

River level

The lowdown

• This stretch starts at the junction with the Old West River at Little Thetford and runs roughly 3,000 yards downstream to Barham Lock.
• It’s a flowing, rural fen-edge section of the Ouse. A proper open-water venue rather than a little boxed-in club pond.
• Access is through Little Thetford, using the railway level crossing. The club gives grid reference TL537760 for the fishery.
• Take great care at the railway crossing. It’s one of those access points where a bit of patience and common sense really matters.
• Parking is available in the access area near the level crossing. Stick to the notified entrance and parking area — no cheeky shortcuts across adjoining land.
• This is the club’s separate River Ouse water, not part of its Old West River stretch. Make sure your ticket and membership proof cover the right bit.
• The bank is the west bank throughout this fishery. Anglers must stay within the club’s water boundaries and fish only from the permitted access.
• Day tickets are available to casual visitors on the bank at Little Thetford for £5. Members’ guests can also fish for £5 a day, but must be accompanied by the member.
• Keep the kit tidy and fish welfare-first: all fish go back unharmed, with an 18-inch minimum landing net and an unhooking mat required. Pike anglers need suitably sized net and mat gear.
• The club allows no more than two rods. Rods cannot be left unattended, and you must remain within 10 metres of them. Fish must be weighed where caught, not carried along the bank.

Methods: This is a lowland, flowing River Ouse venue, so keep things suited to moving water and work the swims from the permitted west bank. Trotting or feeder-style river fishing are the obvious approaches, with careful fish handling and mobile, tidy bank work.

Access & tickets

Saffron Walden Angling Club leases the sole fishing rights. The club may sell day tickets to casual visitors on the bank at the Old West River; members’ guests can buy river day tickets, subject to the club’s arrangements.

Fish the club names

The club doesn't list species for this stretch, so we haven't guessed.

Key rules

• An Environment Agency rod licence is required, and anglers must carry proof of membership or a valid day ticket.
• Bailiffs may request proof of the EA rod licence and fishing permit.
• All fish must be returned unharmed.
• Both access gates must always be closed.
• No more than two rods may be used. Rods must not be left unattended, and anglers must remain within 10 metres.
• A landing net and unhooking mat are required. The minimum landing-net size is 18 inches; adequate sizes are required when targeting pike.
• Fish must be weighed where caught rather than carried along the bank.
• Dogs, guns, radios and fires are prohibited. Littering can result in a club ban, and trespassing on adjoining land is prohibited.

Where it is