The Old Bourne is a short 6.6km chalk stream with significant ecological challenges affecting both water quality and fish populations. The poor condition of the water and depleted fish stocks make this a challenging destination for anglers. Fishing here requires patience and may yield limited results.
The Old Bourne observes the standard close season: 15 March – 15 June (rivers, England & Wales). Always check local byelaws before your visit. A rod licence alone does not grant access — most stretches require club membership or a day ticket in addition.
Water level data from the Environment Agency Real Time Flood Monitoring API. Nearest gauging station. Always verify conditions on arrival.
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The Old Bourne holds brown trout, chub, dace, roach, bullhead.
An EA rod licence is required by law to fish The Old Bourne. Club membership or a day ticket is also required on most stretches.
To fish The Old Bourne, you need a valid EA rod licence, available online from gov.uk. Annual, day and 8-day licences are available. In addition to the rod licence, you will need club membership or a day ticket from the controlling angling club or riparian owner for most stretches of The Old Bourne.
Always check conditions before you visit. Water quality, access and rules can change seasonally. The EA's Catchment Data Explorer provides up-to-date water quality information for The Old Bourne.
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