River Bourne · Wiltshire
Laverstock Fishery
Club members only Up to 3 rods Season 16 Jun to 14 Mar
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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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Catch and release
Fish are returned to the water.
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Expert level
Rated 4 out of 5 for difficulty.
About Laverstock Fishery
A three rod stretch of the Wiltshire Bourne running upstream on the true right bank from Laverstock Road to the A30 London Road, on the eastern edge of Salisbury. Park along the lane off Laverstock Road that leads to the allotments, or further along towards Laverstock Sports and Social Club if you can find a space. The signing in book is near the pedestrian footbridge past the club’s pitches.
This is a premium wild fishery holding both trout and grayling, but the grayling are the reason it exists, and the reason its opening times follow the coarse season rather than the trout one. There are fish of a lifetime in the Bourne here, and they are not always shy about letting you know it, though catching one after it has seen you is another matter. The water possibly holds a new club record; the current one stands at 2lb 4.5oz.
You can fish it from the bank but wading opens up a lot more. It is not difficult wading, though there are deeper holes to watch for and exit points get harder to find when winter levels are up. Stealth is everything. Water that looks empty turns into a mass of activity the moment a shoal of grayling scatters away from a clumsy first step. Look, look again, and take your time.
It is a long beat and takes a while to cover properly. Fish can be had throughout, though the stretch upstream of the pedestrian bridge has a reputation as the most productive. Casting is awkward in places and a rod of eight feet or under will be easier, but do not fish too light at the tippet or you will lose the fish you came for. Nymphs work, peeping caddis with a short orange tag in particular, but the dry fly gives more pleasure. On cold days after the first frosts a size 20 black gnat or similar small dark dry can tempt very good fish.
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
- Expert (4/5)
- Water type
- Chalk stream
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Catch & release
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Season: 16 Jun to 14 Mar
Fishing rules for Laverstock Fishery
Three rods. True right bank, running upstream from Laverstock Road to the A30 London Road. Signing in book near the pedestrian footbridge past the club’s pitches. The fishery’s opening times follow the coarse season so members can fish for grayling through the winter.
Where you'll fish
Location
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
51.07924, -1.77604
Conditions on the River Bourne
The river
The Wiltshire River Bourne runs down the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain from Burbage to the Hampshire Avon at Salisbury, around 20 miles through Collingbourne, Idmiston, Gomeldon, Winterbourne and…
View the River Bourne guideFlies for this beat
Expected in November on the River Bourne
Typical months from the river’s hatch calendar, which applies along its whole length rather than to this beat. Not a live report.
We get a small commission if you buy through these links, and it costs you nothing extra. If the calendar has been useful and you feel like supporting an independent site, buying your flies this way is an easy way to do it.
Similar beats on the River Bourne
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
Laverstock Fishery FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Laverstock Fishery, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on Laverstock Fishery at any one time?
Laverstock Fishery allows a maximum of 3 rods at any one time.
02What species can I expect to catch on Laverstock Fishery?
Laverstock Fishery holds 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 Laverstock 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 Laverstock 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?
Along the lane off Laverstock Road that leads to the allotments, or further along Laverstock Road towards Laverstock Sports and Social Club. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.
06What tackle should I bring?
Laverstock Fishery permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Laverstock 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 Laverstock 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 Laverstock 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 Bourne.
Worth a read
Club members only
Membership is the main route on
