River Nadder · Wiltshire
Barford St Martin Fishery
Club members only Up to 3 rods Season 1 Apr to 15 Oct
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Club members only
Members can sign a guest in, so an introduction is the usual way on.
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Adventurer level
Rated 3 out of 5 for difficulty.
About Barford St Martin Fishery
A three rod stretch of the Nadder running upstream on the true right bank from the bridge over the A30 at Barford St Martin, just west of Wilton. Park at the local pub and walk down. It is a premium wild fishery with good numbers of trout and grayling, and dace and chub are taken on the fly too. A few fish of around a pound and a half come out each year but most are a pound or less.
The beat alternates deep slow bends with shallow gravelly runs. The deep water holds the better fish and is best approached in the late evening and through the summer. Early in the season most fish are in the weed in the shallower areas. Large dark olives hatch in the middle of the day early on, there is a good grannom hatch on warm April days, a healthy mayfly population, and yellow may duns appear in numbers.
Summer evenings give the best of it, and the last hour before dark is almost always the best of those. The top third allows wading, where the banks are steep and lined with trees; take care of one or two deep spots and the undercut roots sticking out from the bank. The rest is open meadow on the edge of the village with easy casting and level banks, which makes it a safe fishery for older members. Bigger stocked fish occasionally drop in from fisheries further up the river.
How you can fish here
- Methods
- Fly Only
- Fly methods
- Dry Fly, Nymph
- Wading
- Wading allowed (moderate)
How to book
Club and membership details
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Tuition · Beginners welcome · Day tickets · Membership
Club water. Fished by Salisbury & District Angling Club members.
View club details
Fishing details
- Rods
- Up to 3
- Difficulty
- Adventurer (3/5)
- Water type
- Chalk stream
Stocking and fish species
Chub
Rules and policies
Catch & release
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Season: 1 Apr to 15 Oct
Fishing rules for Barford St Martin Fishery
Three rods. True right bank, running upstream from the bridge over the A30. Wading allowed in the top third of the fishery where the banks are steep.
Where you'll fish
Location
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
51.07958, -1.92058
Conditions on the River Nadder
The river
Rising from greensand springs at Donhead St Mary near the Dorset border, the River Nadder runs approximately 20 miles east through Wiltshire before joining the Hampshire Avon at Salisbury. It is…
View the River Nadder guideFlies for this beat
Expected in November on the River Nadder
Typical months from the river’s hatch calendar, which applies along its whole length rather than to this beat. Not a live report.
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Similar beats on the River Nadder
FishingBeats is an independent guide with no affiliation to the fisheries we list. Listings are editorial and unpaid, and are not supplied or approved by the fishery. See our listings policy. Listing details are compiled by FishingBeats and may change or contain mistakes. Some services, such as tuition, ghillies, or accommodation, may only apply to certain packages and not to standard day tickets. Always confirm pricing, fishing details, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.
FAQ
Barford St Martin Fishery FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Barford St Martin Fishery, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on Barford St Martin Fishery at any one time?
Barford St Martin Fishery allows a maximum of 3 rods at any one time.
02What species can I expect to catch on Barford St Martin Fishery?
Barford St Martin Fishery holds Chub, Brown Trout, Grayling. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Wading is permitted on Barford St Martin Fishery and rated moderate difficulty, though bank fishing is also possible on most sections.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
No ghillie service is listed for Barford St Martin Fishery — contact the provider directly if you'd like informal guidance on your first visit.
05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?
At the local pub in Barford St Martin, then a walk down to the river. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.
06What tackle should I bring?
Barford St Martin Fishery permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Barford St Martin Fishery page suggests the most effective patterns month by month.
07What happens if conditions are poor on the day I've booked?
River conditions can change quickly, especially after rain. Contact the provider as early as possible if you're concerned about Barford St Martin Fishery — many are happy to offer an alternative date if the river is unfishable. Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary by provider; check the notes on the booking page or ask when you book.
08Are dogs allowed on the beat?
Dogs are not listed as permitted on Barford St Martin Fishery. Check the Beat Rules section on the page or contact the provider before bringing a dog, as policies can vary by season and stretch of the River Nadder.
Worth a read
Club members only
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