Classic Dorset chalk stream flowing through the Piddle Valley to Poole Harbour. Crystal-clear spring-fed water with wild brown trout, prolific hatches, and the intimate scale that makes chalk stream fishing so absorbing.
- Chalk
Rules at a glance
- Free fishing
- Fly only
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
90% confidence in this read
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
10.1°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
12°C
Wind
SW 25 km/h
Moderate breeze
Pressure
1008 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
8.5 mm
Light rain · next 48h
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
How to fish · for brown trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
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.
Why this works
Excellent conditions. Temperature is favourable (100), Prey activity is weakest (58).
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Grayling seasonSeason
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
Brown SedgeHatch
2
3
2
Freshwater ShrimpHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Blue Winged OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
6 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Detail · next 12h
Water temperature & rain
The two readings most likely to move the verdict
Water temperature for brown trout
Ideal10°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
6 factors, signed
- Temperature10028% weight
- Flow6022% weight
- Clarity9518% weight
- Feeding Time8013% weight
- Pressure807% weight
- Prey Activity5812% weight
About this water
River Piddle, end to end
Field guide · contributor-editedRiver Piddle · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
River Piddle · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
River Piddle · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 April → 15 October
- Grayling16 June → 14 March
River Piddle
Terrain map
Classic Dorset chalk stream flowing through the Piddle Valley to Poole Harbour.
Species
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
90% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Ideal10°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
- Temperature10028% weight
- Flow6022% weight
- Clarity9518% weight
- Feeding Time8013% weight
- Pressure807% weight
- Prey Activity5812% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
10.1°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
12°C
Wind
SW 25 km/h
Moderate breeze
Pressure
1008 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
8.5 mm
Light rain · next 48h
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
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.
Why this works
Excellent conditions. Temperature is favourable (100), Prey activity is weakest (58).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Grayling seasonSeason
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
Brown SedgeHatch
2
3
2
Freshwater ShrimpHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Blue Winged OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Directions
About this water
Classic Dorset chalk stream flowing through the Piddle Valley to Poole Harbour. Crystal-clear spring-fed water with wild brown trout, prolific hatches, and the intimate scale that makes chalk stream fishing so absorbing.
- Chalk
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 April → 15 October
- Grayling16 June → 14 March
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts