Latest Posts Under: April 1st

April 1st 2026

Yesterday was glorious, with temps up to 17c – April 1st arrived with a chilly wind blowing down the valley, but the sight of a hatching olive and few grannom in the air lifted my spirits. I was fishing one of our Piddle beats and it wasn’t long before my nymph was taken – my …

April 1st 2025

River Piddle to start the new season, it is in fine condition, plenty of water and healthy weed growth, but opening day again blighted by a cool easterly blowing up the valley. No signs of any grannom, on went a small nymph and landed two beautiful Piddle trout in the first straight. Time to switch …

April 1st 2024

After this winters downpours I was surprised to see one of our River Piddle beats looking so good. Another car arrived with two Members also looking for some fishable water. Since the temperature was still low, I began with a nymph. My season had officially begun when my leader became taut and I caught a …

April 1st 2023

A month of wind and heavy rain isn’t exactly what we needed for a days fishing on the 1st, it will hopefully keep the river full for the coming season. The last two days have seen even heavier rain and the Frome was full and coloured. My only hope of casting a fly was to …

April 1st 2022

After several weeks of glorious warm weather to 17c, this week the north wind did blow and the temperature plummeted to below 10c. Thankfully no rain or snow flurries today, just a very cold northerly wind. This didn’t stop a few hardy characters heading to the river to celebrate the start of the season. There …

April 1st – 2021

Great start to the season on the River Cerne and the Piddle beats, but the main river is still to wake from its winter snooze. Plenty of hatching grannom and olives bringing the fish to the surface. Shame the weather is about to change for the weekend, hopefully warmer weather isn’t too far away.

April 1st 1986

It wouldn’t be the same without an entry on the 1st April, so here is an extract from my fishing diary 1st April 1986. This was my first day fishing the Club water and my first ever attempt at fly fishing – it didn’t go well… Sunny/Windy Left home approximately 9am – arrived at Gascoyne …

April 1st 2019

What a beautiful start to the new season, weather was warm and the river in tip top condition. Although the start of the day was a little chilly to start, with a nasty easterly blowing down the valley. Having tried a sheltered carrier, I then headed over to the main river, it was now warm …

April 1st 2018

April 1st 2018

After some torrential rain a few days ago, the rivers burst their banks and there was little hope of casting a fly on the opening day. But after just 24 hours the smaller streams were running clear and fishable. I opened my season on the River Cerne, saw large dark olives & a few grannom …

April 1st – 2017

Very changeable weather today, with warm sun, rain and a cold wind blowing down the valley. But I know a few little spots were spring starts a little sooner and found hatching grannom, with a few willing trout to my GRHE pattern. Spring seems a lot more advanced than previous years, with leaves bursting from …