Skirmish with a stout pole (4)
I believe the answer is:
spar
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'skirmish' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a stout pole' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'with' is the link.
(Other definitions for spar that I've seen before include "piece of wood?" , "Box (lightly) - fight (verbally)" , "Crystal - box" , "Practise boxing with a pole?" , "Crystalline mineral" .)