Durnford Fishery

River level

The lowdown

• This is a proper traditional chalk-stream setup on the Little Durnford Estate. Mown paths and a tidy waterside fringe make getting between the swims a fair bit less of a faff.
• There are 22 beats and you choose which one you want on the day. Once selected, that beat is reserved for you, so you can settle in without someone nicking your swim.
• Beats 1 and 2 are wading beats, with good stocks of trout and grayling. Expect classic chalk-stream water rather than a shove-your-feeder-in-and-wait job.
• Beat 12 is a cracking varied beat, mixing deep runs, gravel flats and a hatch pool. It needs wading if you want to fish it properly.
• Beats 3 to 7 are the gentler option, with slower water and open casting. They hold a good head of stocked fish and stay open for grayling from October.
• Beat 18 gives you gravelly runs and its own smaller hatch pool. A neat one to look at when you fancy a bit of variety in the water.
• Beat 13 has a short main-river section plus a narrower carrier. It wants accurate casting, especially when the wind gets up, and is mainly dry-fly water.
• Nymphing is allowed on Beat 13 after 1 July. Elsewhere, the beat layout gives you a choice of deeper water, glides, carriers and hatch-pool features to work through.
• The lower fishery is within walking distance of The Cart Shed. You can also drive up the valley and park at Manor Bridge, which keeps access nice and straightforward.
• Beat 15 has access for a disabled angler accompanied by one friend. Guests are not permitted on the rest of the fishery, so check the arrangements before setting off.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: The beats suit traditional chalk-stream fishing, with dry fly and nymphing options where permitted, plus careful wading through the deeper runs, gravel flats and hatch pools. Accurate casting matters on Beat 13, particularly in windy conditions.

Access & tickets

The fishery is run by The Salisbury & District Angling Club and is members-only. No day tickets are advertised, so anglers should check the club's current fishery status and membership arrangements before visiting.

Fish the club names

trout

Key rules

• Fishery is members-only.
• No day tickets are advertised for Durnford Fishery.
• Anglers select a beat of their choosing, and the selected beat is reserved for that angler.
• Guests are not permitted on the rest of the fishery.
• Beat 15 allows access for a disabled angler accompanied by one friend.
• Beats 1 and 2 are wading beats.
• Beat 12 requires wading to fish effectively.
• Nymphing is permitted on Beat 13 after 1 July.
• From October, Beats 3 to 7 remain open for grayling.
• Check the club's general game-fishing rules and current fishery status before visiting.

Where it is