Dorchester Fishing Club

Founded in 1877
Building our heritage,
offering sustainable brown trout & grayling fishing
for this and future generations

April 1st 2025

April 1, 2025 / John Grindle / 4 Comments

2025 First Cast Supper

March 31, 2025 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Lower Water Work Party – March 24

March 7, 2025 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

A small work party on the Lower Water managed to partially clear this fallen tree from the river. We then moved upstream and cleared some more fallen trees. The work party trio was Keeper John, Jed Hemmings,and myself Rob Ayles.

Gascoyne Bridge Work Party

February 14, 2025 / John Grindle / 1 Comment

Seven hardy souls set off for last Saturday’s work party on the Upper Water at Gascoyne Bridge. Much chillier and less bright than the previous Thursday at Bockhampton, but the rain held off while we set about the tasks for the day. For those like me who hadn’t seen the Upper water since al the …

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Pre Season Work Party Dates

February 12, 2025 / John Grindle / 0 Comments

Saturday 15th February: Stratton Beat, tree work and seats, meet at 0930, packed lunch, waders and gloves. 😊 Thursday 6th March: Lower Water, tree work, meet at 0900, packed lunch, waders and gloves. 😊 Saturday 15th March: Southover Beat, tree work, meet at 0930, packed lunch, waders and gloves. 😊 * Dates might change due …

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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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Grayling Update 2025

January 10, 2025 / John Grindle / 1 Comment

Happy New Year. A rather mixed bag of weather so far this winter, much better than the last one! Longish dry, cold spells in between storms and torrential rain, enabling a few of you to get out after the grayling, mixed reports trickling in, mostly good 😊 One or two of you, struggling, mostly those …

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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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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