John,
I had a couple of grayling trips on Sunday 10 and Monday 11 Jan (yes it was cold).
On Sunday I didn’t have much time and was struggling to find any fish, when a good-sized grayling hit the nymph hard, raced across the stream and jumped out of the water, so I could estimate it at around 14 inches. Shortly after that, it slipped the hook, so I couldn’t get a photo or indeed notch my first catch of the New Year. Instead, the only welcome ‘bar of silver’ on the riverbank that day was my thermos flask, so here is a photo of that.
On Monday I tried another spot, where there are always fish, but could not get a take despite running a variety of nymphs through the pool. This called for desperate measures, it was time to try out the “sweetcorn fly”. On its first drift, to my immense surprise, a large fish hit it hard, but with the fly being so bushy, it failed to hook up! After that, I couldn’t get anything to look at it, but did make contact with 3 smaller fish on more conventional nymphs (again, all slipped the hook, so I am blank so far in 2010). Thus no fishy photos, but one of the fly, and I’m sure the sweetcorn fly mark 2 (once my brother has tied it) will prove a winner next time out.
More to follow, unless the season runs out before I can get back down to the river.
All the best, Doug
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