Chalk Stream · Chalk · Wiltshire, GB-ENG

River Bourne (Wiltshire)

The River Bourne chalk stream flowing through Idmiston near Salisbury, Wiltshire

The Wiltshire Bourne (Hampshire Avon tributary, distinct from the Hampshire Bourne) runs through Salisbury Plain country from Tidworth past Salisbury to join the Avon.

Today · Closed season
Pink Shrimp
Forecast · Today
Closed season
Out of season. Try elsewhere.
45% projected
Today's fly
Pink Shrimp
Pink Shrimp
Conditions on the water · Today
Live gauge
Level
Rising
0.70 m
Lifting fast
Water temp12.8°C
ClarityVery coloured
Weather14°C
WindN 14 km/h
Pressure1023 hPa
Rain · recent2.0 mm
Rain · ahead0.2 mm

The nearest gauge doesn't record temperatures, so we've estimated it — defer to the river keeper's advice.

Water temperature for Brown Trout
Ideal
13°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Brown Trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Likely species
Stoneflies
Gammarids
Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 6pm

12pm(now) — Black Gnat

Stage: On emergersApproach: Emerger or dryActivity: 31%
Also:Autumn Olive23%
Peak emergence window5 food groups active

Peak activity at 6pm — Caperer (Caperer, 9 food groups active)

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 3 as a supporter.

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · October highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2
Freshwater ShrimpHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
CapererHatch
2
3
3
2
Brown SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Brown Trout fly box

The heartland of English dry fly fishing. Upstream dry fly and emerger presentation dominates. Nymphing restricted or discouraged on many beats. Gin-clear alkaline water, prolific weed growth, educated wild brown trout. Precise imitation and delicate presentation are paramount.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Private syndicate
  • Salisbury Estate offers limited access.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Fishing better nearby · 5
River Wylye
11 km
82
Brown trout · Grayling
Avon Springs
8.0 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Amport Trout Fishery
12 km
Rainbow trout
River Test
16 km
Brown trout · Grayling
Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery
17 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout
Gallery · 2
  1. The River Bourne chalk stream flowing through Idmiston near Salisbury, Wiltshire
    River Bourne at Idmiston, Wiltshire
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

The Wiltshire Bourne (Hampshire Avon tributary, distinct from the Hampshire Bourne) runs through Salisbury Plain country from Tidworth past Salisbury to join the Avon. Classic Wessex chalk stream — stable flows, technical clear water, wild brown trout. Mostly private syndicate water but the Salisbury area sometimes offers limited day tickets via Salisbury Estate or local clubs.

  • Chalk
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Good
Water quality details
  • Dissolved oxygen: High
  • Ammonia (Phys-Chem): High
  • pH: High
  • Phosphate: Good
  • Temperature: High

EA (England) · GB108043022390

The full read · show the working · for Brown Trout · confidence 90%
How the 0 is built — score × weight = contribution
Temperature100 × 28%28.0
Flow80 × 22%17.6
Clarity95 × 18%17.1
Feeding Time80 × 13%10.4
Pressure80 × 7%5.6
Insect activity82 × 12%9.8
Conditions total= 89
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowon-river gaugeobserved
Prey activitysurvey-backed invertebrate datasurvey
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Chalkstream Playbookchalk stream tacticsTrout Near Londonaccess guideEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Clubs & associations
  • Salisbury & District Angling Club
    Members only: no day tickets, join the club to fish here