I’ve managed to get out a few times over the last couple of weeks to make the most of the mayfly hatch when it finally got going. One of the most striking observations of the river is how the conditions are in stark contrast to last year; the flows are continually strong and high and weed growth very prolific. The river looks in fantastic condition but never seemed to loose some slight colour.
Because of the conditions, sight fishing with a nymph has been nigh on impossible when no rising fish were encountered, so it has just been a case of covering greater distances in order to find the odd rising fish and 90% have been taken on the dry. My favourite pattern is an Oliver Edwards ‘Mohican Mayfly’ which I use almost exclusively unless a fish is being particularly fussy. During a couple of evening sessions with Dave R we have come across steadily rising fish that have completely ignored mayfly and olive patterns despite there being plenty of fly on the water. In these cases it has been necessary to go down to a size 18 or even 20 CDC emerger in order to get a take.
Hatches seem to be picking up now with various olives including yellow may duns and some good hatches of sedge have also been seen. Overall I think the season so far has been quite challenging due to less rising fish but I did manage to land my first 2lb’er last week and my last session produced 5 fish with 4 over a pound including 1 stockie (along with several more lost fish) but I had to walk a few miles to find them!
In the coming months we hopefully won’t have a repeat of last year’s floods and it will be nice to see the river settle and fine down a little.
Kind regards,
Hoot
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