Latest Posts Under: Mayfly

Mayfly – Imminent

May 8, 2026 / John Grindle / 2 Comments

Well, the weather is settled, but sadly no rain at all during April. The Grannom have now all but finished and I only spotted one Hawthorn.. We all now wait with anticipation for the arrival of the Mayfly, I have seen a few, but next week they may put in an appearance, remember thicker tippet …

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The Poor Man’s Fly

May 26, 2025 / John Grindle / 2 Comments

The constant strong gusts made the fishing a bit tricky this morning. It was nice to see swifts over the meadows and plenty of noisy reed and sedge warblers in the bankside vegetation. My attempts with a dry fly were mostly disastrous and more than a couple of flies were left in the trees. But, …

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Head-Butted by a Nymph

June 20, 2024 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

I went fishing one morning a week or two ago on a day when I really shouldn’t have gone. It didn’t go well. Constant and quite strong gusts were troublesome from the start sending my mayflies, so lovingly tied during the winter evenings, into the trees one by one. The few naturals coming down were …

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French partridge of course!!

May 28, 2024 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

The mayfly are at last upon us, a patchy start, the fish seemed to take a day or two to get on them, today is drizzle and humid, could be an awesome day on the river.. Lovely reports heading my way, good fishing on the Cerne and the Piddle, the main stem now coming into …

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Warmer Drier Weather

May 8, 2024 / John Grindle / 1 Comment

A rather wet and chilly start of the season, big rivers and spasmodic Grannom.. But a number of fish caught on nymphs. At last warmer drier weather, a few early Mayfly and rising fish. The in-field parking at Whitfield and the lower water are usable with a little care, mirrors back up on the lower …

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Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Charity

June 3, 2023 / John Grindle / 2 Comments

The Club’s Honorary Treasurer donated a day for two on the Club’s water at last years Air Ambulance Charity event. It was purchased by Nick Warner for a considerable amount and the Managing Committee felt it only just, that we make it a very special day for hime and his guest. Unfortunately the Honorary Treasurer …

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A few willing trout on a wild morning

May 23, 2020 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

It was a grey start to a short session this morning with a brisk wind and some wild gusts. Casting was going to be tricky. A few mayflies were drifting down; Green Drakes struggling to stay upright in the wind and being driven into the banks, but not being molested by any trout. After a …

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Opening Day – 13th March

May 13, 2020 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Fishing resumed today and amongst the chaos that we are currently living through, normality edged it’s way slowly our way. Conditions didn’t look good, bright sun and a cold northerly wind blowing. But the Piddle brown trout are generous and they eagerly took my mayfly imitation, nothing over 10 inches, but the whole experience did …

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Mayfly

June 21, 2019 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Just a quick update to let you all know that there are still a few mayfly hatching and the trout are still on the lookout for them, albeit a lot of splashy rises to the fly. Plus the chance of a evening rise, it is a great time to be along the river.

Strange Mayfly Season

June 8, 2018 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

I agree with comments made by others , it has been a strange mayfly season this year , requiring more effort and covering more water to find a hatch and more importantly rising fish . I found this lovely wild one in an out of the way lie , and made the usual hash of …

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The Club

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.

Day Tickets

Price £70 per ticket per day or three days for £140

Day Tickets are only available during the trout season and only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Bank Holidays. (season 1st April – 14th October)

Illegal Fishing

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…

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Important Dates



River Levels

River Level @ Maiden Newton
River Level @ Louds Mill
River Level @ Stinsford
River Piddle Level

Cormorant Watch

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.

Biosecurity for Anglers

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

Casterbridge Fisheries

Frome, Piddle & West Dorset Fisheries Association

Dorset Wildlife Trust

Westcountry Rivers Trust


Environment Agency


Wild Fish


The Wild Trout Trust

Angling Trust


Dorset Chalkstreams Club