What a beautiful start to the new season, weather was warm and the river in tip top condition. Although the start of the day was a little chilly to start, with a nasty easterly blowing down the valley.
Having tried a sheltered carrier, I then headed over to the main river, it was now warm and the wind had lost its bite. There in front of me were clouds of grannom flying upstream. I first thought that I had missed the hatch, but there was still a trickle still coming off and also plenty of rising trout.
Rob’s Report: I ventured out to our Affpuddle beat with Trev Stroud for our first days outing, arriving about 10.30 and met up with Paul Machin. After munching our bacon and egg rolls we started fishing. Trev lost his first fish and on his 2nd cast caught one. We saw several swallows and then the grannom arrived with hawthorns for company. Meeting up with Paul again we watched him land a beautifully marked fish. Trev had a few more smaller fish and I practiced the ancient art of fish losing. We decided to call it a day about 4.00pm, just as Steve Achison arrived. All in all it was it an excellent first day, just hope it bodes well for the season. Rob Ayles
For the first time in a good few years, I can say that the season is off to a great start.
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.
The Angling Trust's guidance for anglers during this second lockdown. Fish safely, locally and respect the ‘rule of two’ during lockdown Click Here :-- Advice for Individual Anglers
Price £50 per ticket per day or three days for £100
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