Compton Chamberlayne Beat 2

Just under 0.4 miles of single-bank dry fly and nymph water on the River Nadder at Compton Chamberlayne, in the Nadder Valley of Wiltshire. The river here is deeply incised, with a series of serpentine bends that slow the flow and create sequences of riffles leading into genuinely deep pools — the kind of varied chalk stream character that rewards careful reading of the water. The Nadder is classed as a mixed-geology chalk stream, flowing over chalk where the main fishing takes place but rising in greensand, which means it can carry a slight tinge of colour and may colour more noticeably after heavy rainfall — worth bearing in mind when planning a visit.

Beat 2 holds both brown and rainbow trout and is heavily stocked, giving good numbers of fish throughout the season from 18 April to 3 October. Up to six rods can fish simultaneously, making it well suited to groups. Fly fishing only, with dry fly and nymph permitted. The Nadder starts the season well with good hatches of grannom; the main event is the mayfly, which can be spectacularly good even in poor visibility conditions; and later in the season, early morning and evening sedges offer the best chance of sport. The beat is rated as adventurer difficulty, banks are mown but not overly manicured, and the river is fairly narrow in places with contrasting deeps and shallows, so expect some bankside vegetation to negotiate and tight casting angles in places. The water is generally clear enough to spot fish, making sight fishing a real option when conditions allow.

A fishing hut on the beat provides a base for the day. A 9-foot rod for a 4- or 5-weight line covers most situations here; fine tippets and accurate presentation matter on this water.