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Highbridge (Below the Ship Inn)

Highbridge, below the Ship Inn, is the start of Gillingham & District Angling Association’s main match-fishing waters on the River Stour at West Stour. It runs from the A30 road bridge by Riverside Garage downstream to Stour Provost, with plenty of pegs and a good head and variety of fish through the season.

Run by Gillingham & District Angling Association · checked 12 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Gillingham Le Neubourg Way gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open River Ready

The lowdown

  • This is proper match-water country, beginning at the road bridge by Riverside Garage and carrying on downstream to Stour Provost.
  • There are multiple fishing pegs along the section, although the association doesn’t publish an exact peg count.
  • The pegs are described as holding a good head and variety of fish through the season. Handy stuff when you fancy a change of target.
  • Chub, bream, roach, perch, pike and rainbow trout are named for the association’s waters, giving you a decent spread of options.
  • Float-fished maggot is the bob-on starting point. Keep it simple, get the float working, and see what’s having it on the day.
  • Groundbait is also worth considering, especially when you’re trying to draw fish into the swim or build a bit of confidence before settling into a rhythm.
  • Methods vary with river conditions and the time of year, so be ready to change tack. A tidy float approach may be spot on one visit, while a different presentation could suit the flow next time.
  • The water is officially described as suitable for match fishing, so expect a stretch where peg choice, feeding and keeping busy all matter.
  • For access, Riverside Garage parking is available on the left-hand side, but ask if you’re unsure. The Ship Inn car park is another option.
  • Park considerately, particularly around business users. The Ship Inn is on the A30 at West Stour, while Riverside Garage is nearby.

Methods: Float-fished maggot is an effective approach, with groundbait also recommended. Adapt the method to the river conditions and time of year.

Access & tickets

River-only annual membership

Includes the association’s Upper Stour stretches. Upper Stour membership fishing runs from 16 June to 15 March.

£40 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

One-day river ticket

Available to non-members and applies to the association’s Upper Stour stretches.

River day tickets are open to anyone wishing to fish the Upper Stour stretches and cost £6 per day. Buy them through G&DAA’s online booking system; a river-only annual membership costs £40, while basic annual membership also includes the river stretches.

Fish the club names

chub, bream, roach, pike, perch, trout

Key rules

  • Hold a current Environment Agency rod licence.
  • Anglers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Upper Stour membership fishing runs from 16 June to 15 March.
  • Park considerately, especially around business users.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

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