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Trout season 1 Apr – 15 Oct
Each beat sets its own dates, and every listing carries them.
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A chalk stream
Clear, spring-fed water with a stable flow through the season.
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2 species listed
Anglers here can target brown trout and grayling.
About the River Bourne
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 Laverstock. It is a winterbourne for part of its length, meaning the upper reaches run dry in a hot summer and fill again with the autumn rain, and that shapes the fishing: the water is small, very clear, and the fish are wild and wary.
The quarry is brown trout, grayling, and on the Bourne it is the grayling that are the draw. The club record grayling, 2lb 4.5oz, came from this river, and the lower beats at Laverstock hold fish of that order. Fishing is close range and stealthy, upstream nymph and small dry fly, often from the water rather than the bank. Casting room is tight in places and a rod of eight feet or under is easier than a longer one.
With 3 beats listed on FishingBeats, the Bourne is almost entirely club water. Salisbury and District Angling Club holds three fisheries on it: the Upper Bourne at Gomeldon, Hurdcott below it, and Laverstock on the edge of Salisbury, where the season runs to the coarse calendar so members can fish for grayling through the winter.
Where the River Bourne runs
The river's course with every beat and fishery we list on it. Click a marker to read about that water.
River Bourne at a glance
- Length
- 20 miles
- Source
- Burbage, Wiltshire
- Mouth
- Hampshire Avon at Salisbury
- Tributary of
- Hampshire Avon
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Water type
- Chalk stream
Conditions now
Fish species
Anglers on the River Bourne can target brown trout and grayling. Brown trout dominate most chalk stream beats; grayling, sea trout, and salmon appear on certain rivers and seasons.
Fishing Beats on the River Bourne
Browse all 3 beatsBrowse day tickets, syndicate rods, and permit fishing on the River Bourne. Each beat listing includes pricing, species, and booking details.
Clubs and syndicates on the River Bourne
1 clubMembership bodies holding water on the River Bourne. Some sell day tickets alongside membership, others are open to members only, and a few run a waiting list.
Hatch calendar
Build a fly box for the River BourneWhat hatches on the River Bourne month by month, and the fly to tie on for each. These are typical months, not a live report. A cold spring or a hot week will shift any of them.
Expected in November
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FAQ
River Bourne FAQs
Common questions about fishing the River Bourne, from day tickets and seasons to what to expect on the bank.
01Can I fish the River Bourne?
Much of the water is privately managed, but plenty of it is open to visiting anglers through day tickets, syndicate places, and club memberships. FishingBeats lists 3 beats on the River Bourne, and each beat page shows who runs the water and how to book.
02How much does it cost to fish the River Bourne?
Prices vary by beat, season, and how many rods share the water. Whatever you book, an Environment Agency rod licence is needed on top of the ticket.
03When is the fishing season on the River Bourne?
The statutory trout season varies by region: on the Hampshire chalk streams such as the Test and Itchen it runs 3 April to 31 October, while rivers in the Thames catchment, including the Kennet, close on 30 September. Many fisheries set shorter dates of their own within that window, and grayling fishing carries on through the winter on many beats. Check the permit dates on each beat page before you book.
04What fish can I catch in the River Bourne?
Beats on the River Bourne list brown trout, grayling. The mix varies from beat to beat, so check the species on the page for the water you want to fish.
05Do I need a licence to fish the River Bourne?
Yes. Anyone aged 13 or over fishing for trout, salmon, or coarse fish in England needs a valid Environment Agency rod licence, bought online in daily, weekly, or annual form. It's separate from the beat ticket or syndicate fee, so factor it in before you go.
Worth a read
3 bookable beats
On the River Bourne
