France Farm & Durweston/Bryanston

River level

The lowdown

• France Farm gives roughly half a mile of double-bank fishing, starting at Durweston Bridge and heading downstream towards Nutford Farm Fishery.
• The France Farm water is on the true left bank. The adjoining Durweston/Bryanston section is on the true right, running from Durweston Bridge down to the Lodge in Bryanston Wood.
• It’s a varied bit of river, with habitats that lend themselves nicely to stalking. Have a wander, watch the water and look for fish before charging into a swim.
• The river has good flows, with clearer, deeper pools dotted along the stretch. Those deeper bits are where the larger chub, perch and pike are specifically noted.
• Summer brings plenty of weed. That can make things a bit more interesting, but it also gives fish cover and creates features worth fishing tight to.
• There are good shoals of roach and dace, so trotting or a light feeder approach should suit the flow where conditions allow.
• The named fish list also includes bream, eels, gudgeon and pike, alongside chub, dace, perch and roach. Properly varied Stour fare.
• France Farm access is through the Nutford fishery gate, then either along the farm track behind the cottages or across the field to the bank.
• Parking is given on the grass verge at Little Nutford by the gate. The Durweston/Bryanston side is more of a walk, with difficult nearby parking; Bridge Meadows or Durweston Village Hall offer alternative access.
• Be considerate around the cottages and Village Hall. Livestock and farm machinery use access at most venues, so shut every gate behind you and keep things bob on.

Methods: A mobile stalking approach should suit the varied habitats and clearer pools. Trotting or feeder fishing can target the good roach and dace shoals, while the deeper water is worth working for chub, perch and pike.

Access & tickets

Day tickets and memberships are obtained through Blandford & District Angling Club’s online Clubmate system. Listed prices are adult membership £50, senior membership £40, junior membership £15, day ticket £8 and junior day ticket £3.50.

Fish the club names

bream, chub, eel, perch, pike, roach

Named by Blandford & District Angling Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Be considerate to residents of the cottages.
• Be considerate to other users of Durweston Village Hall.
• Close gates, as livestock and farm machinery share access at most venues.

Where it is