Latest Posts Under: River Work

Lower Water Work Party

February 6, 2025 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Second work party of the year got underway on the Lower Water today in beautiful sunshine, even if a little chilly. Apart from the long shadows, you could have mistaken it for a Spring Day! Four members, Ian, Rob, Trevor and Chairman Bryan gathered under the direction of Keeper John to renew several seats and …

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18th January Winter Work Party

January 20, 2025 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

A good turn out for Saturdays work party at Angry Swan. We cut back a lot of overhanging willow and gave the island below the railway bridge a good trim. When we finished for the day we had a Kelly kettle brew and lunch, as always a huge thank you to the work party team. …

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Winter 2025 Work Parties

January 6, 2025 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Saturday 18th January: Whitfield Hatches (Angry Swan), tree work, meet at 0900, packed lunch, waders and gloves. 😊 Thursday 30th January: Cancelled Thursday 6th February: Lower Water, tree work and seats, meet at 0900, packed lunch, waders and gloves. 😊 Saturday 8th February : Upper Water, (Gasgoyne Bridge), tree work and seats, meet at 0900, …

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November 2024 Winter Work Party

November 24, 2024 / John Grindle / 2 Comments

Saturdays work party was very productive, clearing overhanging branches around the old fishing hut area down to below Whitfield hatches, also opened the view from Bill Mallams seat. We also have an oxbow lake, that has formed above the railway bridge. As usual thanks to everyone’s help and Richards cakes 😊 John Aplin Keeper * …

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Winter 2024 Work Party Dates

November 4, 2024 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Saturday 16th November: Whitfield Hatches, tree work, meet at 0900, packed lunch, waders and gloves. 😊 Thursday 28th November : CANCELLED due to high water 🙁 Saturday 30th November: CANCELLED due to high water 🙁 Thursday 5th December: CANCELLED due to high water 🙁 If you intending to come on any of these dates please …

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Upper Water Fencing Completed

October 7, 2024 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

We are very pleased with the new fencing on the upper water that is now finished, new seats and DFC signs to follow and a bonfire once things dry up. A huge thank you to Rob and Gilly Milne for another great fence 😊 John Aplin Riverkeeper

Fencing Update – Tuesday

September 24, 2024 / John Grindle / 2 Comments

Rob is getting on with the fence. You will see from the photographs, where possible there is a 10m gap from river to fence – even I will struggle to catch it on a back cast now. Today a small work party first cleared a fallen tree, before rebuilding an old flow deflector. It is …

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Fencing Work Toys

September 18, 2024 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Plenty of tree work today on the Upper Water, helped by our fencer Rob and his toys! Don’t forget the two working parties next week and please bring some lunch. Tuesday 24th September: meet at Gascoyne Bridge 0900, tree work and building flow deflectors 😊 Wednesday 25th September: meet at Gascoyne Bridge 0900, tree work …

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Upper Water Fence Update

September 16, 2024 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

The main river fence has all been taken down and hopes to finish the Wrackle fence this week, they have also topped the new fence line ready. Good weather this week, the fish should be looking up!! Cheers for now John Aplin

Upper Water Work Party Dates 2024

September 10, 2024 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Good progress is being made on the removal of the Upper Water fence. Wednesday 18th September: meet at Gascoyne Bridge 0900, tree work, digger on site to help (Rob the fencing contractor), waders, gloves and some lunch 😊 Tuesday 24th September: meet at Gascoyne Bridge 0900, tree work and building flow deflectors 😊 Wednesday 25th …

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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