Sowley and Fiddleford Pool & Trail Bridge downstream to Wesper Brook

River level

The lowdown

• Fiddleford Pool is the deep end of the deal, with roughly 14–16 feet along the upstream wall and left bank. It has relatively few swims, so pick your spot carefully.
• Sowley averages about 10 feet at its upper and lower ends, though a few swims drop to around 14 feet. There’s plenty of depth here rather than just shallow, pushy water.
• Below Fiddleford Pool, both banks can be fished down to Trail Bridge. Below the bridge, the left bank runs on to Wesper Brook.
• The right bank is accessible downstream to Hammoon too, but it’s a long walk from Fiddleford. Not one for bringing half the tackle shop, then.
• The water changes character nicely, with a deep mill pool, stream sections, meanders and deeper bridge water. A proper mixed bit of river.
• The deep water near Trail Bridge is a winter roach shoaling area. Pike and perch are drawn in as well, so keep an eye on what’s happening in the crease.
• Sowley holds chub, roach, rudd, perch and pike, with larger bream showing after floods. Fiddleford Pool produces perch, roach, dace, bream, chub and pike.
• Trotting, feeder work and sensible pike tactics all have a place, depending on flow and colour. After a flood, the deeper swims and slower water are well worth a look.
• Watch the hydroelectric turbine at Fiddleford Pool. It can alter the water level and current direction without warning, so stay alert and don’t take the flow for granted.
• Winter banks can be steep and slippery. A long-handled landing net is recommended, and the uneven single-track access road needs careful driving and considerate parking.

Methods: A flexible approach is the ticket here: trot the streamier bits, feeder the deeper water and target the pool and bridge areas when the fish settle. For pike, use only permitted fish-bait tactics and keep the rods close together.

Access & tickets

Day tickets can be bought online through the Sturminster and Hinton Angling Association website or from listed outlets. Outlet purchases require cash, and tickets must be sorted before you start fishing.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd, chub, eel, crucian

Key rules

• All anglers must hold a current Environment Agency rod licence.
• All fish, including pike and eels, must be returned unharmed.
• Live bait, gorge hooks, gaffs, night lines, trimmers and bank runners are prohibited.
• Two rods may be used only when at least one is being used for pike fishing with fish bait. Rods must be no more than five yards apart.
• Do not fish within 20 yards of another angler on the same bank without agreement.
• Dogs are not allowed on S&HAA waters, and fires are prohibited.
• The hydroelectric turbine at Fiddleford Pool can change water level and current direction without warning.
• Banks can be steep and slippery in winter; a long-handled landing net is recommended.

Where it is