Wessex Salmon and Trout Conservation

AGM – Friday 10th January

admin — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 23:13:17 +0000

AGM (and Green Man!) - Friday 10th January

Just a quick reminder, AGM this Friday 10th January 2025, in the Green Man, Wimborne. Get there anytime from 7pm, proceedings start 7-30. Pay in advance please (it’s not expensive), come and talk fishing, provide the committee with insights and feedback, and enjoy a bite to eat and a pint. Now sold out, but get in touch if you want to come along and haven’t let us know, and we’ll see if we can accomodate.

Grayling Day – Event Update

admin — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 11:44:03 +0000

River allen Grayling Day

Nine members took part in this years event on the River Allen. We fished in pairs except for one individual, between 11:am and 4pm. Anglers were mainly trotting with maggots or sweetcorn although one brave fellow attempted the fly, whilst another used brandlings. In total only four grayling were landed (and ten trout which did not read the close season rules). Charles lost a competition grayling at the net which was far larger than anything else caught. Dan accidentally hooked and lost a massive trout that was believed to be a sea trout. The weather was beautiful and the river was in excellent condition although a little high, but clear and fishable. Team Stenhouse won the competition with just two grayling and took home two good bottles of Cote Du Rhone. It was puzzling why so few fish came to the net, and a general feeling that there are more fish in the town than in the country. Suggestions include the lack of predators in the town compared to the quiet countryside. Everyone had a fun time and finished the day with a most convivial meal and beer at the Green Man.

A fine day and evening had by all!

The legendary FUN! grayling day 2024

admin — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:10:12 +0000

GRayling Day 2024

When: 26th October 2024, meet 11.00.
Where The car park, River Allen, Wimborne
What Trotting, ledger or fly fishing for Grayling, fishing in pairs
How Please take photographs of fish caught
Then: 17:00 adjourn to the Green Man Public House, Wimborne Chilli, Rice, Chips, and Cheese Board Supper to be served from 18:30. Share Grayling successes of the day and reminisce!

Prize for best pair of fishermen Please register attendance with David Morton, before payment! davemort8@gmail.com Mobile 07845563576

Fish and Chips Supper 4th October 2024

admin — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:07:02 +0000

Fish and Chips 4th October

The Green Man, Wimborne, BH21 1EN On Friday 4th October 2024 from 7pm A great chance to meet other members, and have a lovely evening in a fine hostelry! Cost: £15 which includes a drink, limited numbers on a first come first served basis. Please confirm your acceptance with David Morton: davemort8@gmail.com and send £15 to The Wessex Branch Salmon & Trout Association.

September River Report

admin — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:44:31 +0000

September River Update

Three of the keepers were out last week sawing some fallen branches and then two of us fished on for a couple of hours in the increasing heavy rain.

The river is still very low and clear, and recent rain has not had any impact yet. This is normal for a chalkstream fed by aquifers. The 18 degrees air temperature was warm and a mist was coming off the water mid afternoon in very dull light.

The conditions were good for fishing with the low light and warm air encouraging some fish to feed on a few flies brought down on the water by the rain. A slightly larger size 10 Parachute Adams did the job for these two fish as well as a couple of other missed takes.

The stretch is fully accessible at present. The new entry point just above Kingfisher Pool is deep but wadeable in low water levels. The wild fish are still hard to spot but can be enticed in the right conditions. September’s a fine month on the river, make the most of it!

August Bass Fly fishing breakfast – Report:

admin — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 22:28:56 +0000

August Sea Bass Flyfishing Report:

Eight fly anglers gathered on this beautiful Sunday morning at dawn to see the sunrise. The party caught eleven bass, mainly to the Clouser minnow. The air temperature at dawn was 14 degrees rising to 18 degrees by 08:00, compared to a sea temperature of 17.7 degrees, which felt like a warm bath. It was great to see Iain and Paul catch their first bass on the fly. Dan lost a much bigger fish towards the end of the session, as often seems to be the case with the specimens. Richard specialised with a smaller fly on a sunk line and managed eight pollack near the rocks. We finished off with a hearty breakfast at the Caffe to chat about the successes and ones that got away!

Fishing Update River Allen, July 29th

admin — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 22:06:56 +0000

July Fishing Report Update:

Peter Usherwood and our esteemed ex Chair Mike Bilson spent a pleasant few hours in the bright sunshine by the river. Air temperature rose to 25 degrees making it hot in waders! The fish were very spooky in the bright conditions and now the water has dropped to summer levels they are tucking hard into shade and pools. Very few rises were seen but Mike and Peter finished at 14:30. Their reckoning is that the evening would be especially worthwhile more action (editors note: it often is, can be epic!). Having said that one of the three wild browns caught came to a dry size 10 Parachute Adams (has to be a go-to!), whilst the others were on weighted nymphs. Peter had two grayling out of Crayfish pool which made a good variation. All areas are now wadeable, and worth a visit.

July sea bass flyfishing update

admin — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 21:45:18 +0000

Saltwater Bass Trip, July Report:

Five members of the WSTA ventured out on a drizzly, windy morning on 22nd July 2024 fly fishing for bass in Poole Harbour. We started at 05:00 and finished fishing at 08:15 in time for a hearty breakfast at The Caff. The party landed 25 bass, and Ross was also smashed up by a big beast that headed for the pier. David caught his first bass on fly in Poole. Some bass took surface flies but the majority were sub surface with floating lines on baitfish and Sandeel patterns. A fun morning even if it felt like Autumn rather than summer!

River Allen hits seasonal form!

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:56:49 +0000

The River hits form: fishing update June 2024

Committee member Mike Bilson fished the river this week and, after a bit of a wait, normal service is resumed! His update is below:

The river has come to life. Some rises today to small sedges and tiny Olives. Fish of all year classes evident. It is possible to wade all the normal pools except Top Deep which is still a bit too high. Water is clear and weed has not yet grown too much. The fish are very spooky but beautiful when you connect. Worth a visit.

Martin Small Memorial Trophy – Event Report

admin — Mon, 20 May 2024 20:35:41 +0000

Martin Small Memorial Trophy 2024

Nine anglers took part in fishing from boats. The weather was warm and cloudy with very little wind so no-one had any excuses!

Fish were rising well at the start but as the day progressed they went down in the water column. Five anglers bagged up with five fish before 2pm and all anglers caught. Lures did the damage in the first hour but smaller weighted nymphs on a slow retrieve worked better from 11am. The water was high and deep close to the shore and many fish were cruising along the shallower ledges. Nearly all fish were caught in the main basin in front of the lodge or slightly to the west towards the small bay.

Steve Lawes won the trophy with the heaviest bag at 11lb 3oz. Dan Hunwick and Nigel Horsman shared second place with bags of 11lb. Largest fish prize went to David Morton with a Rainbow of 2lb 8z. Well down to all competitors with a total of thirty three fish. Well done to all, and thanks for supporting the day!

Huge thanks to Peter Usherwood for supporting the day and donating the prizes, greatly appreciated by all the Committee, and those there on the day.