Wessex Salmon and Trout Conservation

Brave Bass Breakfast

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:08:10 +0000

Brave Bass Breakfast

With a weather forecast that put most people off, a brave and keen crew headed out at dawn on 29th August, with the first hour and a half was quite pleasant. It was warm and calm in the shelter of the peninsular. However the old sayings prove true: “Red sky in the morning, shepherds warning”.

The bass clearly read the weather forecast and stayed away with only one bass landed by four anglers. The conditions looked very good but a combination of falling pressure, recent rough seas, and air temperature cooler than the water kept the bass out of reach in deeper water.

The full English Breakfast was a delightful end to a fun morning, although the garden yurt was given up for the dry of the restaurant during which time the weekend rain started to fill those empty water butts at last! The next few weeks will hopefully see some bigger stamp bass appearing, here’s hoping for tight lines all!

Bass Breakfast

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:13:40 +0000

July Bass Breakfast

Bass Breakfast report – Saturday 1st August 2026: Eleven anglers set their alarms for 04:00 to fish the beach and harbour from sunrise until 07:30.

Dan won the species prize with a first ever weaver fish on the fly, plus a bass. Tom won the bass prize for three bass landed. The conditions were perfect but most of the bass did not get the memo and went on vacation instead.

Stories and jokes over a full English Breakfast made for a perfect finish to a delightful morning.

Summer Mullet Madness

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 16:54:37 +0000

July Mullet Madness

Brilliant day out hitting the hotspot (at least, as far as that’s ever true for mullet!). Timing on the tides was perfect, weather was perfect & water warm. Just need the fish to turn up. Starting on the last of the ebb plenty of small bass proved voracious, & on the clock the mullet appeared too, but, proved their normal fickle selves.

Intriguing fishing, and a deepening addiction for all who’re off the inland rivers due to water temps, and, as usual a good social followed by a curry for the hungry hard core.

Lovely to be out, some great mullet expertise shared & new lessons learned – summer mullet madness, what could be better?!

Total count – many many small bass, and 5 or 6 golden greys and thins, well done all!

Open Afternoon on the river

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:21:23 +0000

June Open Afternoon

The Association had an Open Afternoon on Friday 19th June 2026, for anyone curious about the Allen, or flyfishing generally, and to meet up with a likeminded group.

We had some kick sampling identifying Mayfly Nymphs, Caddis, and Shrimp. Richard Whittington had an intro to the main hotspots guided by Charles Jarrold, complete with a wild brownie being caught. Mayfly were seen hatching, and a few fish were sipping. We retired to the Brewers Folly afterwards for a social drink. A relaxing spuddle by the river is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Poole Bay Bream Fishing Trip

admin — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:43:26 +0000

Bream fishing trip - Poole Bay

Seven members of the Association boarded Sam Cumming’s boat, Silver Spray, at Poole Quay 16:00 for a four hour Bream Trip out to Poole Bay on 15th May 2026. The weather turned out to be cold and blustery with a stiff north wind. The first two marks around Poole Patch produced a few fish but the final move nearer Old Harry turned out to be inspirational.

Martin Hughes caught his first bream, and also led the leaderboard for the species competition with a conger eel and dogfish. Mike Bilson was the co-leader with 18 bream, a gurnard, and a conger eel. Tom Lant won the biggest bream section with a good 35cm male. Dave Froy managed a gilthead bream and Dan Hunwick also had two dogfish.

The party totalled 65 bream and all females were returned along with undersized fish. We adjourned to the Portsmouth Hoy on Poole Quay for a debrief afterwards. A fun evening, and thanks to Dan Hunwick for organising.

April Working Party

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:12:50 +0000

Spring Working Party

7 committed worthy and hardworking supporters gathered for the pre-season working party, riverside on a blustery lovely day. Banks were gently strimmed, willows pollarded, access points improved, and the new car park sign moved. The new carpark is down the farm track after the gate (code on whatsapp, don’t share publicly!), on the left. Temporary fencing is in place, but the council are (allegedly) prepping the track for new prettier fencing. As the saying goes: good things come to those who wait!

Some gentle river intro was carried out, showing the in and out points, wading aspects and where to concentrate, however the river is still ripping through at a pace, and although clear, currently wading should be avoided.

An excellent, productive day, with 2 mayflies spotted (confused early ones!), swallows and martins making the most of things. Too cold and breezy for the fish to be looking up, but won’t be long now!

Followed of course by a reflective ale in the new Brewers Folly just up the road (Sauna option not taken!!).

Tight lines, and Happy Birthday Chief Strimmer and Operator Tom!!

Please bring a selection of tools such as spade, loppers, saw, scythe, sledge hammer, electric screwdriver.

Also waders for some paths, boots, eye protection, gloves, lunch and drink.

Tom will bring his long handle chainsaw and normal chainsaw.

Afterwards we will adjourn to the Brewers Folly for a beer (and celebrate Toms birthday!)

Thanks for volunteering.

See you on Saturday.

Mike

Martin Small Memorial Trophy 2026

admin — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:41:02 +0000

Martin small memorial trophy 2026

On Thursday 2nd April at Sutton Bingham twelve anglers competed for the Martin Small Memorial Trophy.

Thirty nine rainbows, three carp, and one dace were caught. David Plumpton won the trophy with five trout weighing 13lb 1oz, closely followed by runner up Dan Hunwick with five trout at 12lb 13oz. David Morton won the Oldest Rod competition using his father’s split cane 93 years old rod and catching a good carp. Mike Hirsh caught two trout on a glass fibre rod previously owned by Martin Small. Dan Hunwick caught one on his first glass fibre rod, and Mike Bilson caught five weighing 10lb 11oz on his first ever rod purchased in 1981. Andy Stebbeds caught two carp on a small orange lure. Six limits were caught.

Much conviviality was had by all, helped by a bright sunny calm day, great to see everyone and tightlines for the new season!

2026 Lunch and AGM

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:03:02 +0000

2026 Lunch and AGM

Our Winter Gourmet Lunch and AGM was held on 6th February 2026 at the St Tropez Lounge, Poole, and was one of the best quality meals we have had in recent years, with a good group out to catch up. The menu was specially prepared for us by Head Chef Frederick, and we could choose on the day from a good selection. As usual, the wine and beer all helped the AGM to flow without a hitch, and much conviviality was had by all, along with a great deal of fishing chat!

Chairman Dan Hunwick outlined some plans for the year which include a River Allen Working Parties and Socials, Bream Sea Fishing evening, Bass Breakfasts, Mullet Madness Day, and meals at the Green Man.

Mike Bilson updated us on the progress of the Landscape Recovery Scheme for the River Allen.

Charles Jarrold was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy for his dedication to the Media and Communications work, along with an unbridled commitment to chasing a still elusive Avon salmon – maybe 2026 will be the year! Unfortunately, the award (and wine!), proved such a distraction that the photo record is somewhat “limited” – lesson learned!

We all look forward to the opening of the new season on the river, more fishing and plenty of conviviality.

Itchen Grayling Day 2026

admin — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:21:53 +0000

Lower Itchen grayling day

Seven brave men shunned Storm Garetti and proceeded with the Grayling Day at the Lower Itchen Fishery on 8th January.

In fact, the weather was not as bad as the forecast, and so long as you were well prepared the weather did not detract from the fun – after all there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!

In total,12 grayling were landed, a chub by Stuart Smith, and 29 accidental by-catches of hefty brown trout, and one salmon kelt. The challenge was to get to the grayling before the large head of over-wintered brown trout gobbled up anything that moved. The grayling tended to be in the deeper pools and were mainly taken by trotting maggots and some sweetcorn.

David Morton and Mike Bilson shared top rod with 3 grayling each. Andy Stebbeds was the prolific poacher with 12 accidental trout, as well as two good grayling. Stuart Smith would have won the prize for the most traditional angler using a split cane rod and split can landing net, along with a classy tweed fishing jacket. Charles Jarrold ironically got the well mended salmon kelt, having blanked in over 30 sessions trying for salmon on the Avon last year! Chairman Dan made up the numbers with 1 grayling and a number of good trout. Richard Whittington managed a beautiful salmon parr.

We all warmed up at the end of the day at the Curry House and shared stories of the many that got away over naan bread and poppadoms!

A fabulous day out on the river!

August Sea Bass Breakfast Report

admin — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:45:02 +0000

August Bass Breakfast

Nine Wessex Salmon & Trout guys attended the Bass Breakfast at Sandbanks on August 24th at dawn.

14 bass, 3 pollack, and 1 mackerel were caught. A beautiful sunrise, gentle warm south east wind and some wave on the water coupled with a strong spring flood tide made an interesting morning.

Jon Penny was top rod with 5 and most taken on the top water fly. David Plumpton also scored well with 4 and Richard Whittington caught his first ever pollack on the fly. We all adjourned to the Quay Cafe for a hearty breakfast and chat afterwards.

Well done all!