Beware of the Bull!
Fished the Upper Water at Gascoyne Bridge and walked down through the first field, but on my return noticed one of the cows wasn’t a cow, but in fact a bull – so please be careful when walking down.
What an amazing evening to be out – it was so still and quiet, but the thick air made it difficult to cast. The river was slightly stained from the previous day’s rain, but very fishable. The Upper Water is also looking absolutely fabulous, the bank side flora is now really established and the ranunculus growth is perfect (may even need a trim later in the season!)
Tackled up just above the otter holt, nothing was rising so on went a small pheasant tailed nymph and second cast a grayling! This is now the highest I have ever caught one. Few fish rising now and on went my evening rise fly (see bushy GRHE on Sundays report) I fished all the way back to Gascoyne Bridge catching plenty of fish, nothing larger than 10 inches, but great fun. I should have stayed longer, but had to listen to the last few minutes of the France vs Spain game – did Henry dive?
Looking upstream from Gascoyne Bridge
(Wrackleford Estate)
Jim Chalmers – I fished the lower water last night to try out my new Orvis 8.5 feet, line size 5 rod and Bar Stock reel. Not many fish were moving when I arrived at 2000 and I spent my time walking the river up to Loud’s Mill not even bothering to try a cast with my brand new rod. A few Mayfly were still to be seen fluttering above the water.
At about 2100 the evening rise began. It is quite surprising when parts of the river that seemed devoid of fish suddenly come alive and trout pop up in quite unexpected places. Within about 15 minutes I had landed (and returned) 3 trout, all about 12 inches long, and a grayling. On the way back down the river I hooked two much larger trout that both managed to escape after a brief tussle. The fish seemed very willing to take a size 16 barbless Greenwell. By 2150 it was becoming rather difficult to see the fly and I packed up.
My new rod, reel and line (also Orvis) were a delight to use and I wish that I had not persevered for the last 24 years on the Frome with my 9.5 feet line size 7 outfit. I put it down to my misspent youth of fishing the dry fly on Scottish Lochs were I needed a bit more casting power.
The Club
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.
