I had the chance of a few days fishing recently but the weather was not exactly ideal.
On Thursday it was blowing a gale and threatening rain, but I ventured out on to the lower water anyway. I never saw a rise, but thought I would tempt something in a likely spot with a nymph, but it was not to be. The water was plenty clear enough and low, and just as I was about to pack up I saw a trout lying in a gap in the weed. This looked like my only chance for the day, and on the third attempt the pheasant tail nymph fell in more or less the right spot, the fish turned, I lifted, and he was on. A hard-earned fish of about 12″.
On Friday I gave it a miss, I had been watching on TV the golfers getting blown all over the course at St. Andrew’s, and had seen enough wind for one day. Saturday was not as bad, and I was sure that a long stretch that I knew would be more or less sheltered from the wind, and the deeper water there might hold some fish. In fact there was a sparse hatch of mayfly (on 17 July!) and the odd fish was hitting them. I had to tie one on, and almost as soon as it hit the water a trout thrashed at it, but didn’t hook up. Fish were soon rising steadily, and despite many takes to the dry fly, I couldn’t hook one. In the end, I had 2 good-sized fish from about 10 takes, a poor return but nice to be fishing the dry fly again. Will have to increase the day ticket prices right through to July if the mayfly are going to keep on coming!
All the best (sorry no photos),
Doug
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