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River Medway Barming Downstream

A handy half-mile Medway stretch from Barming Bridge, with easy car-park access and roughly six swims nearby. It’s proper chub water, with regular 5 lb-plus fish reported, plus bream, roach, the odd barbel and first-class pike fishing.

Run by Maidstone Victory Angling and Medway Preservation Society · checked 10 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

East Farleigh Gate Upstream 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

  • The stretch starts at Barming Bridge, runs past the car park and carries on into the wooded area. A tidy bit of river with a mix of open access and cover.
  • The car park is the main starting point, with easy access to the water and about six swims close by. Several banks have been lowered, so getting in is less of a faff.
  • The river is generally quite shallow, which should suit trotting and light feeder work when the flow is steady. Keep an eye on the crease and any nearside depth.
  • Below the car park, the bend cuts out deeper holes. Those are the spots to have a proper look at, especially if the river has a bit of colour or the temperature drops.
  • Summer can see the car-park section become heavily weeded. MVAS says the weed is cut back at least annually, but it’s still worth checking the lanes before setting up.
  • Chub are the headline act here, with fish over 5 lb regularly caught according to MVAS. A quiet approach, light tackle and a bait dropped near cover should put you in the game.
  • Bream and roach come from the car-park area, so a float or feeder approach gives you options when the chub aren’t showing. Barbel have also turned up occasionally.
  • Pike fishing is described by MVAS as first class. Fish the deeper holes and quieter edges, while taking care around weed and keeping all kit organised.
  • Members can fish at night without a separate night permit. Everyone still needs the correct ticket or membership, a current EA rod licence and valid fishing-rights proof.

Methods: Trotting and light feeder work look bob on for the shallow runs, roach and bream around the car park. For chub and pike, work the deeper holes below the car park bend and the cover carefully.

Access & tickets

Advance day ticket

Must be purchased in advance; not available on the bank.

£7 per day (as listed 10 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

MVAS membership

Members may fish the river at night without a separate night-fishing permit.

Buy the Barming day ticket in advance through MVAS. It must be purchased before fishing and isn’t available on the bank.

Fish the club names

chub, bream, roach, barbel, pike

Key rules

  • Advance day tickets only; tickets are not available on the bank.
  • Society waters operate on a catch-and-release basis.
  • A current EA rod licence and valid fishing-rights proof are required.
  • Anglers must carry a landing net and unhooking mat.
  • Rods must not be left unattended.
  • No alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted.
  • No fires, camping, picnicking or littering on society waters.
  • Tethered or bolt rigs are banned. Dogs are permitted because the Medway at Barming is a public area.

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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