Bickerley Millstream

River level

The lowdown

• This is a broad branch of the Avon in places, with classic millstream character around Ringwood and the Bickerley area.
• The water winds through the Avon valley, with grazing land, millstream channels and views around the former railway bridge and Castleman Trailway.
• It’s particularly handy when the main river is high and unfishable. A bit of extra shelter and steadier water can make all the difference.
• The association describes it as an excellent winter fishery. That makes it well worth keeping in the rotation from autumn through to the end of the coarse season.
• Expect a mixed coarse-fish bag, with dace, chub, roach, perch, gudgeon, eels and pike named for the water. Occasional barbel are also reported.
• There’s enough variety here for a few approaches. Trotting and light float work should suit the river-style swims, while a feeder gives you another option when the flow pushes on.
• Spinning is allowed, so pike anglers have an extra string to their bow. Keep your eyes open around the deeper-looking channels and steadier margins.
• The association maintains banks and swims where possible, though the exact number of pegs isn’t published. That means a bit of walking and looking could pay off.
• Watch the skyline as well as the water. Electricity pylons cross the fishery, and the overhead lines are a serious hazard. Stay at least 20 metres away from the cables.
• Fishing runs from sunrise until two hours after sunset, with the coarse season open from 16 June to 14 March. No separate night-fishing option is published.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: A flexible river approach looks the ticket: trot the steadier runs, fish a feeder when the flow is up, and spin for pike where allowed. Keep things mobile and make the most of the millstream features.

Access & tickets

Arrange membership or ask about guest tickets through Ringwood & District Anglers Association, and make sure you have the required club key. Public day tickets aren’t advertised here; the club’s ordinary day-ticket offering is restricted to Throop and Lower Stour.

Fish the club names

chub, roach, perch, pike, barbel, eel, chub

Key rules

• Coarse fishing season runs from 16 June to 14 March.
• Fishing is permitted from sunrise until two hours after sunset.
• Spinning is allowed.
• Stay at least 20 metres from overhead power cables.
• A current Environment Agency rod licence is required in addition to club permission.
• Guest tickets are available.
• Follow the association’s permission requirements for this venue.

Where it is