What a beautiful bright day. I headed for the lower beat thinking there would be more water there. Strong winds got up early in the afternoon and lasted until about 6pm. No sign of hatches really, just a few small sedge. I met two very friendly members, one on his way back, the other and his guest who were headed to the (more sheltered) wood section. I had to work hard for a 9″ grayling on a CDC emerger, then lost a similar sized (but plump) brownie on bead-head PTN (all I could cast with the wind at this stage).
At dusk, after the wind had died down, I started wending my way back through the balsam of the woods, past the hut and following the meanders downstream, retracing my route. I had a few rest stops along the way, and was rewarded at one by the sight of a roe buck coming down to the river to drink – across the bank from me and oblivious until I startled him, crashing into the dense undergrowth.
At a last stab attempt, I had a small brown on a sedge tugged across the top. I had seen only three bigger fish during the day, but they were too inaccessible to reach without waders.
During my downstream return trip, I picked up a small black “fenwick” slot-foam fly box (with nothing more than 3 daddies in it – one for the tree, one for the bush, and one for the fish :O) from the long grass. If any member can lay claim to this, just email me at dorsetjakey@gmail.com , and I shall post it out to you
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.
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)
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