Folks,

As it happens, work will be taking me to sunny Dorset (near Christchurch) for the last week of the month and the first in April. This is a regular-ish trip for me, but really the first time when I've considered taking a fly rod with me for a cast somewhere.

Question is, where

The weekend will be the only time I'll get a chance to fish (28th/29th), would like to have a go for Bass but a smidgen early, likewise the chalkstreams so that really only leaves stillwaters.

Many moons ago, when I was a student at Sparsholt College, I used to fish all over the area but that was (cough) knocking the door of 20 years ago. Leominstead was one venue I liked a lot, but I heard it's no longer open. True/false?

I'm was never really into Avington or Dever, not my bag. John O Gaunts was ok, but any more suggestions?

And does anywhere allow C&R Minimal research I've done so far seems that C&R is a very rare option on a ticket

All advice appreciated

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Hamish,
Head for Christchurch Harbour..Mullet and Bass..and even those things called..ermm..oh yeah, Sea Trout on the fly..little further upstream/inland you have Chub, Perch and Pike...even big roach that will all take the fly

Get in touch with these guys..should be able to point you in the right direction They have some beats for trout and salmon and do visitors tickets if you ask nicely/flash your Orvis badge
http://christchurchac.org.uk/

Woodington will be your best bet for C&R not a bad fishery, the forum had an outing there in the winter if you search the events threads.

It will be close season for course fish so previous remarks little bit ill advised for the time of year. As stated CAC do have some still waters but unless you are in the know then I think you have to be a member.

You may find this site worth having a look at.

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

Cheers Jim..... I had found the website before and skipped through it a bit, but useful to get a tip on a fishery that allows C&R and is pretty handy in terms of distance. I'll have a squint through the events section

Rob - I'm thinking it's going to be a smidgen early for the Bass (by maybe a month?) but I've seen a tackle shop in Christchurch, I'll wander in there for a blether and see what's what just in case it's worth giving them a go
I had thought about Poole harbour or maybe Weymouth for Bass, hadn't considered mullet to be honest.
I'll give intentional fishing for coarse fish a miss this time

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You have a PM

For reference, Salisbury & District have Leominstead these days. Any member can get a dayticket for a guest there.

Malcolm

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ugly casts catch fish too
http://nadder-diary.net

Hello Betanut

Take a look at Rockbourne Trout Fishing on your browser/google.It is what it is but a pretty place to wet a line and think they do a variety of tickets.Quite easy to reach from Xchurch via Ringwood,Fordingbridge.

Personally I think you might be a little early for the saltwater/estuary options.

Blagdon & Chew Valley will be open although a 2 hour jaunt from Xchurch.Could be well worth the effort if the weather is good.

If I have these dates right your options are a little limited due to seasonal restrictions on the various species otherwise I could have pointed you in another direction which just might have been fun.

TL JP

Betanut

Wessex Water's Sutton Bingham Reservoir will also be open and can fish really well early season.

TL JP

Thanks for all the hints/tips received via PM and on the thread folks

Hopeful that I'll be visiting an old friend - Malcolm, you have a PM

Hamish

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Davis tackle should put you right on venues to fish around the area, if youve got coarse tackle try the avon at the royalty for some niice barbel, not sure when you can get on a boat for the seatrout and salmon though or wether you can fly fish the royalty "ive never asked"apart from the boat

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If in doubt, get the montys out

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