Beat Seven (Eel Stream)

Beat Seven, known as the Eel Stream, fishes a carrier of the River Frome rather than the main river, in Dorset, and don't let that put you off: it covers 0 mile of double-bank water, most comfortably fished from the right-hand bank, with parking close to the river. Some anglers like to wade, but bank fishing is the more usual approach. The beat takes its name from the working eel hatches at its head, which are still in use today. It's often the best fall-back when conditions make the main river difficult, since the carrier is sheltered and holds up well. It fishes particularly well during the mayfly, with plenty of sport to be had on a 7ft rod, and New Zealand-style nymphing works well later in the season for grayling. The estate maintains a good head of wild brown trout, with light supplementary stocking on the main river, and grayling are plentiful, including fish over three pounds. Fly only is the rule here as elsewhere on the estate. The Frome opens in April with strong grannom hatches, followed by hawthorn fly and blue-winged olives, then mayfly from late May into June bringing larger fish to the surface; after mayfly, evening falls of spinners and sedges extend the dry fly fishing, with pale wateries and blue-winged olives producing daytime rises through to the end of the season. Day tickets start from £60 during the main season. Grayling days are available from £35. Accommodation can be arranged through the estate, and a riverside hamper, lovingly prepared by the estate and full of home-made breads and pastries, can be ordered and delivered to the beat at a time of your choosing.