Latest Posts Under: Trout Fishing

A Decent Trout on a Gusty Morning

April 6, 2022 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

I found one trout early on this morning, but although a few more were rising to hatching grannom here and there, not one would accept anything I tried. The wind strengthened as the morning wore on and the gusts became more troublesome, making casting increasingly difficult. One trout under a tree looked like a good …

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April 1st 2022

April 1, 2022 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

After several weeks of glorious warm weather to 17c, this week the north wind did blow and the temperature plummeted to below 10c. Thankfully no rain or snow flurries today, just a very cold northerly wind. This didn’t stop a few hardy characters heading to the river to celebrate the start of the season. There …

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A Vintage Reel and Two Classic Trout

October 14, 2021 / John Grindle / 2 Comments

The early fog gave way to some pleasant autumn sunshine this morning for my last trout session of the season on the Club water. For a bit of fun I fetched my oldest rod out of retirement and fitted on an even more elderly vintage reel. Not a valuable reel, actually one I bought for …

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No fish in the river!

July 23, 2021 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

I decided to have a few casts on Tuesday evening to see if anything was happening. Not many rising fish at first but then a few sporadic feeders as I progressed upstream. Then I spotted a consistent rise midstream and covered it and then BANG. A waterspout erupted with ripples radiating out to the banks …

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The fishing was a bit tough today

May 5, 2021 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

The sun was shining when I reached the river this morning, but the gusty breeze looked likely to cause some trouble. After quickly losing a couple of flies I decided to shorten down the leader and stick to sheltered places. I eventually found a trout taking something beneath some trees, but the sudden gusts, the …

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April 1st – 2021

April 1, 2021 / John Grindle / 1 Comment

Great start to the season on the River Cerne and the Piddle beats, but the main river is still to wake from its winter snooze. Plenty of hatching grannom and olives bringing the fish to the surface. Shame the weather is about to change for the weekend, hopefully warmer weather isn’t too far away.

Autumn 2020

September 6, 2020 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Now that the summer heat has past, it was time to fish the Upper Water. The river has been refreshed from the previous weeks flash floods, these have cleansed the gravels, ready for the winter spawning trout and salmon. It was good to see a few rises at the tail of the first run and …

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Sedge Fishing

August 15, 2020 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Reports of excellent evening sedge hatches at the moment, bringing the fish to the surface. Charles Jardine and his son Alex had a cracking evenings fishing and experienced one of the recent gorgeous sunsets. Charles said “The Frome this evening…near indescribably beautiful…. and the reason why I fish and haunted by the places I wander …

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A few willing trout on a wild morning

May 23, 2020 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

It was a grey start to a short session this morning with a brisk wind and some wild gusts. Casting was going to be tricky. A few mayflies were drifting down; Green Drakes struggling to stay upright in the wind and being driven into the banks, but not being molested by any trout. After a …

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One Lucky Member

April 20, 2020 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

I see the Frome is out of bounds until the preventive measures can be relaxed. In Czech we are lucky that fishing, hunting and beekeeping are all considered sufficiently agricultural to remain permitted activities for the time being (with compulsory mask), so I was able to get out on our opening day, April 16th. I …

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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.

Day Tickets

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)

Illegal Fishing

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…

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Important Dates

  • T.B.A


River Levels

River Level @ Maiden Newton
River Level @ Louds Mill
River Level @ Stinsford
River Piddle Level

Cormorant Watch

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.

Biosecurity for Anglers

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

Casterbridge Fisheries

Frome, Piddle & West Dorset Fisheries Association

Dorset Wildlife Trust

Westcountry Rivers Trust


Environment Agency


Salmon & Trout Conservation


The Wild Trout Trust

Angling Trust


Dorset Chalkstreams Club