I couldn’t resist a quick trip to the river on Sunday, and was surprised to find that a good few members had had the same idea.
Admittedly conditions looked good, water not too clear, no wind, and temperature somewhere around 3C. It was one of those days when it was actually possible to change the fly and even the leader without hands freezing.
Soon after I had started fishing I noticed some small grayling rising, which (for me at least) is a rare sight on the Frome in winter. I took off my nymph and switched to a dry fly, although past experience told me not to be too optimistic with this method. After I had covered the rise several times and had more or less given up hope, I completely missed the fish that took my small beige klinkhamer. So it was back to the nymph and whilst changing the fly a very large salmon leapt from the river right at my feet, which got my heart beating.
A small pheasant tail seemed to be the fly of the day, and in two different pools I lost two large grayling which both took the nymph very aggressively but each freed itself after a short but vigorous struggle in the current. The only fish I did get to hand were two much smaller grayling, which also hit the fly hard (but did not warrant a photo).
So the only picture for the day is the fallen beech tree by Bockhampton bridge, fortunately the gate and lock escaped unscathed. Some decent firewood, but more than I could carry.
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