Stillwater · Chalk · South West / Dorset

Wessex Fly Fishing

Wessex Fly Fishing venue image
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Five lakes and pools beside the River Piddle near Tolpuddle: Meadow Lake (2.

Species

A patient day, if you fancy it

Good wave on — drift country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.

38% confidence — limited data
Conditions
Wind
W 19 km/h
Gentle breeze
Wave
40 cm chop
Water temp
No reading
Air temp
8°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

Condition match
54%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp25%

A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
The hawthorn fly is on. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Dry Fly on the bob and Emerger on the point. In the ripple, a bushy searching dry (Hopper, Shipman's, Elk Hair Caddis) outperforms flush emergers — it stays visible and holds the surface tension.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Dry Fly on the bob and Emerger on the point. In the ripple, a bushy searching dry (Hopper, Shipman's, Elk Hair Caddis) outperforms flush emergers — it stays visible and holds the surface tension.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Why this score
  • Hawthorn Fly is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
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
1
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1

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

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Directions
About this water

Five lakes and pools beside the River Piddle near Tolpuddle: Meadow Lake (2.5 acres), School Pool (0.5 acres), The Bowl (0.25 acres), The Oxbow (0.5 acres), and Church Pool (0.25 acres). Stocked with quality rainbow trout ranging from 1.75 to over 4 lbs. Regular stocking and well-maintained. Day tickets available.

  • Chalk
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 April → 30 September
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read

Five lakes and pools beside the River Piddle near Tolpuddle: Meadow Lake (2.5 acres), School Pool (0.5 acres), The Bowl (0.25 acres), The Oxbow (0.5 acres), and Church Pool (0.25 acres). Stocked with quality rainbow trout ranging from 1.75 to over 4 lbs. Regular stocking and well-maintained. Day tickets available.

Other water nearby · 5