Fishing the River Frome is a very mobile activity, so it is imperative to keep things simple and light.
Rod
A 8 ½ ft for a No. 4 line rod is the ideal, although this can be reduced in the summer months to a light 7 ft for a No. 3 line. I will let you decide on your favourite material for the rod, carbon fibre or split cane. Although I much prefer a good quality carbon fibre rod that allows me to punch the fly under over hanging trees and bridges.
Reel
Most fish will be landed without using the reel when fishing the Frome. But it is well worth purchasing a good quality reel, because you just never know when you are going to hook into a fish of a lifetime and it’s then a good reel, with quality drag system can be the difference in landing or loosing the fish!
Line
The best option is to purchase a double-taper line, which by turning the line round when worn, gives you two lines for the price of one! The line colour is another personal choice, but I have never found any fish catching differences between light or dark coloured lines.
Leaders
I have recently switched from using braided leaders to 9 ft tapered copolymer leaders and found the fish are spooked less with the clear line. I also tie on a tippet ring to the end of the leader and then attach a couple of foot of tippet material. This stops the leader from gradually reducing in length after changing your fly!
The strength depends on what fly you are using: 2 ½ to 3lb for every day fishing and rising to 6lb to help turn the large mayfly patterns.
Landing Net
These should be as light as possible and the actual net must be made with knotless mesh (National Byelaw).
Bag or vest
Whatever your choice, try not to carry more than you will actually need for a days fishing.
Flies
Check out the News Blog for successful fly patterns click here
Month | Artificial | Size |
April | GRHE | 16 |
GRHE Grannom | 16 | |
May | Black Gnat | 16 |
Hawthorn | 12 | |
Mayfly – Grizzle Mayfly | 10 | |
Mayfly – Elk Hair Sparkle Dun | 12 | |
June | GRHE | 16 |
B.W.O Emerger | 14 | |
GRHE Spinner | 12 | |
July | Sedge – Roman Moser – Delta Wing Sedge | 12 |
GRHE Spinner | 14 | |
August | Grayling Midge | 20 |
Pale GRHE | 16 | |
September | Grayling Midge | 20 |
GRHE | 16 | |
Daddy Long Legs | 12 |
The Club is a private one, founded in 1877, of approximately sixty-four members and six Town Rod subscribers. The Club’s waters consist of about 12 miles of wild brown trout & grayling fishing in the main River Frome, River Cerne and River Piddle, together with attendant carriers and side streams. The waters extend both above and below the town of Dorchester and the Club employs a part-time keeper.
Price £60 per ticket per day or three days for £120
Day Tickets are only available during the trout season and only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Bank Holidays. (season 1st April – 14th October)
The Police have made it quite clear that poaching is a crime in progress covered by the 1968 Theft Act. Members should always call 999 to report it and not phone the keeper. Without a report the police will not be aware of the extent of a problem.
If possible note or photo vehicles.
Stress if you are vulnerable/elderly or at risk of intimidation..
In order to give the call handler an accurate location they recommend putting the “what3words” app on your smartphone. Click here…
Angling’s representative body, the Angling Trust, has a web site for anglers to record sightings of cormorants, goosanders and mergansers throughout the UK: www.cormorantwatch.com The site is easy to use and will gather vital data to help persuade government of the need for action to protect fisheries.
Invasive plants and animals can carry diseases that kill fish, block waterways and banks, interfering with fishing. They can be small and hard to spot, so are easily spread on damp clothing and equipment.
Protect the environment and fishing you enjoy, by keeping your kit free of invasive plants and animals.
To find out more please visit
the NNSS Website