Durrant Stretch — Sturminster Newton

River level

The lowdown

• Access is from Sturminster Recreation Ground upstream or Sturminster Mill downstream, with the main parking at the free public car park by the mill.
• The river widens behind the recreation ground into a slow-moving pool beside an island. It’s a proper perch area, with roach and pike in there too.
• Farther down, the Durrant water becomes reed-lined and relatively straight. A quieter sort of stretch, ideal if you fancy a calm day away from the crowds.
• The river splits downstream, forming a flood-relief channel on the left. There’s a fishable swim on a small island near the division, and it can produce roach from autumn onwards.
• The left bank of the main river is reached by crossing a ford. Don’t even think about crossing it in flood conditions — the current can turn powerful.
• The remaining Durrant section has peaceful swims, while the final two before the mill can throw up bream when conditions are bob on.
• Only the left-hand downstream bank of the Durrant Stretch may be fished. The nearby Mill Pool is different, with fishing from both banks, although accessible swims are fairly limited.
• The Mill Pool is deepest upstream, then gets shallower, weedier and snaggy towards the tail. Take care with tackle placement and don’t rush hooked fish.
• For a smooth, steady flow and good depth, the Town Bridge area suits trotting for roach. A float should be well worth a chuck when the river has settled.
• Parking is at Sturminster Mill, with roughly 20 spaces, public toilets and the DT10 2DQ postcode. Keep valuables and tackle out of sight in the car.

Methods: Trotting is the obvious shout around Town Bridge and the steadier water, while the pool and deeper mill areas look suited to float or feeder work. Keep an eye on weed, snags and changing flow, especially near the Mill Pool tail.

Access & tickets

Day tickets can be bought online through the Sturminster and Hinton Angling Association website or from listed outlets. Outlet purchases require cash, and tickets must be sorted before you start fishing.

Fish the club names

bream, chub, roach, perch, pike, rudd, tench, barbel

Key rules

• Only the left-hand downstream bank of the Durrant Stretch may be fished.
• Do not cross the ford during floods, as the current can be powerful.
• Tickets must be bought before fishing begins.
• No tickets are issued on the riverbank.
• Annual membership fishing is subject to Environment Agency rod-fishing rules.
• The official venue page does not state a specific night-fishing policy.

Where it is