River Allen · Damerham Fisheries
Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe Lakes
Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe Lakes is a fishing beat on the River Allen at Damerham Fisheries. Day tickets from £42.
Pricing and season
Indicative prices only. This calendar does not show whether a beat is bookable or already booked out, and other prices may apply. Always confirm availability and the final price with the booking provider before you travel.
Price calendar
Fishing details
Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe Lakes at a glance
- Rods
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- Difficulty
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- Length
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- Water type
- stillwater
Fishing methods
Fly methods
The three lakes at Damerham Fisheries, Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe, sit spring-fed and gin-clear in the Allen valley, with plenty of bank space between them so anglers are not fishing on top of each other. Together they cover about five acres.
Rainbow and brown trout are stocked, including the Damerham Blue, a rainbow bred on the fishery’s own farm with a kingfisher-blue back. Fishing is catch and keep rather than catch and release, sold by the fish: two, three or four at a time from £42, or twelve fish for £204.
Only fly fishing is allowed, one single hook up to a size 8. Wet fly, dry fly and nymph can all be used on the lakes.
Every fish kept must be weighed and logged in the return book, nil returns included. No wading or swimming, no dogs, litter or radios, and every angler needs a landing net and a priest. All fishing must be booked in advance by phone, and equipment hire and tuition are both available on the day or by arrangement.
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Fishing rules for Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe Lakes
Only fly fishing is allowed, one single hook, maximum size 8. Wet fly, dry fly and nymph may all be used on the lakes. Fishing is catch and keep on the lakes; there is strictly no catch and release here. Every fish kept must be weighed and recorded in the return book provided, nil returns included. No wading or swimming, no litter, radios or animals. Every angler may bring one non-fishing guest, and must carry a landing net and a priest. A current Environment Agency rod licence is required on the day, with day licences available at the fishery office for £6 for anyone who needs one. All fishing must be booked in advance by phone on +44 1725 518446. Tuition and equipment hire can be arranged for the same visit; for tuition call +44 1425 403735.
Amenities
Where Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe Lakes is
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
50.93267, -1.84137
The fishery and river
River
A Dorset chalk stream of 14 miles, the River Allen rises as a winterbourne on the chalk downland of Cranborne Chase near Monkton Up Wimborne and flows south through Wimborne St Giles, gathering the Gussage Stream and the Crichel Stream along the way, before passing through Witchampton and Hinton Parva to meet the…
Flies for this beat
Expected in October on the River Allen
Typical months from the river’s hatch calendar, which applies along its whole length rather than to this beat. Not a live report.
Caperer
Sedge · #10-12
Kite's Imperial
Dry fly · #14-16
Daddy Long Legs
Terrestrial · #10-12
Sawyer's Killer Bug
Nymph · #12-16
The year ahead
Full calendarEvery hatch on the River Allen and the months it usually runs.
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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
Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe Lakes FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Holyhead, Mayfly and Horseshoe Lakes, from tickets to tactics.
