Little Hanford (Chesil Farm)

The lowdown

• This is semi-wild, rural Stour fishing. Expect a natural-looking river rather than a tidy, manicured fishery. Bob on if you like a bit of proper river character.
• The fishable section runs from roughly 50 yards above the footbridge down to where the woods reach the waterside. It sits immediately below the DDAS Shillingstone/Child Okeford section.
• You’re fishing the north bank only, and the whole stretch is about 1,300 yards long. That gives you plenty of water to explore, rather than being boxed into a handful of pegs.
• The upper end is aimed at stalking anglers. Have a wander, keep mobile and look for fish in the quieter bits and the few deeper areas. A cheeky close-range approach should fit the water nicely.
• From the riffle downstream there’s a clean, clear bank. That sounds ideal for picking a line, watching the water and working out where the crease and steadier flow meet.
• The lower section is described as suitable for matches and comfortable pleasure fishing. It should be the less faffy end if you fancy settling into a swim for a longer session.
• Named fish include bream, chub, perch, pike, roach and eels. So there’s scope for a few different approaches, from trotting and light float work to feeder fishing and lure or deadbait tactics for pike.
• The season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive. As ever on a natural river, keep an eye on conditions; a bit of colour and a decent push can really change how the swims fish.
• Access is from either end of the farm track via Hanford Farm and the Child Okeford road. The track has metal gates, so drive carefully, leave every gate as found and don’t block the road.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Stalking and mobile float work look the natural fit up top, while the clearer lower bank should suit trotting, feeder fishing and relaxed pleasure sessions. Pike anglers also have named quarry to target.

Access & tickets

This is society-member water run by Dorchester & District Angling Society. The society’s wider ticket information describes exchange-book and guest-ticket arrangements, but no day-ticket price is listed for this stretch.

Fish the club names

bream, chub, perch, pike, roach, eel

Key rules

• Fishing is from the north bank only.
• The season is 16 June to 14 March inclusive.
• A current Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• Camping is not allowed without the owner’s permission.
• Leave all gates as found.
• Avoid disturbing livestock.
• Do not obstruct the road.
• Drive carefully on the farm track and follow the access arrangements around the locked gates.

River level

Where it is