Shapwick Church to White Mill

River level

The lowdown

• The upstream boundary is at Shapwick Church, just downstream of the graveyard, with the fishing finishing at White Mill, Sturminster Marshall.
• Fishing is from the true left bank only, so keep that firmly in mind when planning your walk and swims.
• It’s a varied stretch rather than one long uniform run. Expect deeper pools mixed with shallow glides where fish can move and feed.
• Summer brings plenty of weed. That can make things a bit fiddly, but it also gives fish cover and creates some proper stalking opportunities.
• The venue is specifically described as suitable for stalking fish and lure fishing, so don’t feel tied to sitting behind a feeder all day.
• Barbel, brown trout, carp, chub, dace, eels, grayling, gudgeon, perch, pike and roach are listed for the water. A cracking mix, then, from coarse fish to predators.
• If you catch a barbel, the club asks you to inform the committee. Worth knowing before you start fishing.
• Access to the bank is via stiles. There’s parking at Shapwick Church and at the National Trust car park opposite White Mill.
• The White Mill car park is available from dawn until dusk. Livestock and large farm machinery use access routes around the club’s venues, so shut every gate behind you.
• There’s no published night-fishing permission for this stretch. It’s members only, with no day tickets available here, so get your permit sorted before turning up.

Methods: Stalking and lure fishing are both right at home here, with varied pools and shallow glides to explore. In summer, work around the weed and keep an eye on the crease, cover and any fish showing in the shallows.

Access & tickets

Day tickets and memberships are obtained through Blandford & District Angling Club’s online Clubmate system. Listed prices are adult membership £50, senior membership £40, junior membership £15, day ticket £8 and junior day ticket £3.50.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, trout, chub, eel

Key rules

• Fishing is from the true left bank only.
• Valid club membership must be held when fishing club waters.
• No day tickets are available for this associate stretch.
• Anglers should inform the club committee if they catch a barbel.
• Access to the fishing is via stiles.
• Close gates behind you, as livestock and large farm machinery share access routes.
• There is no specific published night-fishing permission for this stretch.

Where it is