Compton Chamberlayne Beat 5

The River Nadder is the most substantial of the Avon's tributaries, rising at Donhead St Mary and winding through the Wiltshire countryside before reaching the Compton Chamberlayne estate. Beat 5 covers just under 0.4 miles of single-bank chalk stream water in this quiet stretch of the valley. The river is deeply incised, with a series of serpentine bends that slow the flow and create sequences of riffles leading into deep pools — and Beat 5 features more of those deep, tree-shaded pools than the beats immediately below it, making for varied and often demanding presentation. The Nadder is classified as a mixed-geology chalk stream, flowing over chalk where the main fishing takes place but rising in greensand and clay, so expect water that is clear but carries a faint tinge — and can colour after heavy rain.

Brown and rainbow trout are both present, heavily stocked across a season running from 18 April to 3 October. The beat is rated as adventurer-level difficulty: the river is fairly narrow in places with contrasting deeps and shallows, and the tree cover that shades the pools demands accurate, often tight casting. Dry fly is the primary method, with nymphing also permitted. The season opens well with good grannom hatches, the mayfly is the main event and can fish spectacularly even in poor visibility, and later in the season early morning and evening sedges offer the best chance of consistent sport.

Up to six rods can fish the beat simultaneously. Each beat has a small hut equipped with table and chairs, giving anglers a practical base for the day. Fly fishing only throughout; a 9-foot 4- or 5-weight is the natural choice for this width of water.