Wessex Chalk Stream Newsletter Autumn 2006
Last winter many days were spent preparing our new fishery at Moreton, which we opened to co-incide wth the first Mayfly hatches. All went well for a week or so until horrendous weather conditions intervened; strong, cold winds and heavy rain buffetted all our beats.
We look forward to a return to normal Mayfly conditions next year – warm sun, gentle breezes and trout rising happily everywhere. Moreton is some way down the Frome and so the rain in May resulted in a considerable flood, our upper Frome and Piddle beats fared better; all in all the fishing was reasonable considering!
Weed growth was poor on our lower Piddle beats this Spring but I am delighted to report that growth picked up later in the year – things should be normal next year. As the long, hot summer developed flows diminished everywhere with only Moreton remaining properly fishable and productive throughout. Nymphing has been the best method, yielding about equal numbers of trout and grayling. The grayling have been a very welcome bonus and there are some big ones in there! The general concensus is that the fishing is challenging, with the river and surroundings a delight.
There is every reason to predict that the fishery will improve year on year. Our prices have moved a little here and there – both up and down. Up a touch for our Piddle beats but only for a tightened Mayfly window – 15th to 31st May. Down considerably in June to reflect the fact that Mayfly tends to end abruptly on the Piddle in early June but you don’t have to rely on Mayfly – many good days are enjoyed by our regular visitors in June.
At Moreton rods enjoyed a very low price (£30) from mid season on with encouraging results as described. It was important to learn about the fishery and for 2007 we can offer the water at just £40/rod/day (£35 for B&B residents) from 1st July with great confidence as an excellent bargain, far more reasonable than neighbouring chalk counties and well worth a little extra motoring. Another big change for 2007 will be that upon receipt of your cheque (within 3 weeks of booking please) maps, tickets etc will be sent. This removes the need to call in at Lawrences Farm before 10.30 am on the days booked.
I realise you might not always wish to make an early start and indeed with traffic worsening delays are inevitable. Also, it has been inconvenient for us at times, waiting around for late arrivals when a multitude of tasks beckon! The shop will still offer flies, leaders etc. I hope this new arrangement will meet with your approval, please continue to let us have your catch returns and if you manage to build a library of maps please let us know at the time of booking that you do not need to be sent any more!
The beats on offer for 2007 remain exactly as for 2006, we look foward to hearing from you – please book early to reserve the beats you want when you want them. In the meantime the team here will be choosing those lovely sunny winter days to prepare the beats for you – a thoroughly enjoyable task with regular sightings of salmon and sea trout going about their business – 10lbs + sea trout at Moreton in January almost commonplace!
The ‘Frome Appeal’ which I have described to many of you has been a great success but we can always put more funds to excellent use to secure the future of the river. May I direct you to the appeal website – River Frome Appeal – and of course pressurise you heavily to give generously if you haven’t already. Currently there are several initiatives in progress to benefit both our rivers, we are much blessed to operate fishing on the Frome and her truly remarkable little sister the Piddle.
It is my greatest ambition to pass them on much enhanced – with your help and the general ground swell of enlightenment (nurtured and fostered by organisations such as the Wild Trout Trust – have a look at their website. I am now convinced my ambition is achievable, a few years ago I was far from sure.
Thank you very much for your support and I look forward to hearing from you soon; I’m sure, like me, you are looking forward to next season already .
Best wishes,
Richard.
All photos are from the Moreton fishing
FTT