Jim Chalmers: I fished the middle and lower waters today. I nearly did not go because of the strong wind. I began fishing the middle water at 1030.
Not many Mayfly were about but within a few minutes I had my first fish. It came from no where to grab my mayfly when I was reeling in my line. This was a crazy start to what became a crazy day. The fish were going mad. The Mayfly were coming off steadily with particulary good hatches between 1100 and 1200 and between 1400 and 1700. Where the fish were not rising they were close to the surface and on the lookout for any fly. It seemed that I only had to cast into a likely looking spot to get a rise. The partly coloured water also helped to hide me from the fish. I lost count of how many I caught and returned. In the middle water they were all wild fish but I caught a lot of stock fish below Louds Mill. Most of the fish were of takable size but I did not get anything really big. My biggest fish was about 1 1/2 lbs. When I left the water at 1800 there were still lots of fish moving.
I only saw one other angler, Cdr Entwisle. I guess the wind must have put a lot of members off but today you only had to get your fly on the water a few feet from where you were standing to have it snatched. It really was duffer’s fortnight.
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.
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