Gurney Slade, Mendip Hills, Somerset to River Frome at Frome
Fly Fishing on the River Mells River
2 beats on the Mells River sell access by the day.
Where the Mells River runs
The river's course with every beat and fishery we list on it. Tap a marker for a quick read on price.
Fishing Beats on the Mells River
2 beats availableBrowse day tickets, syndicate rods, and permit fishing on the Mells River. Each beat listing includes pricing, species, and booking details.
Clubs and syndicates on the Mells River
1 clubMembership bodies holding water on the Mells River. Some sell day tickets alongside membership, others are open to members only, and a few run a waiting list.
About the River Mells River
River Mells River at a glance
- Source
- Gurney Slade, Mendip Hills, Somerset
- Mouth
- River Frome at Frome
- Country
- United Kingdom
Fish species
Anglers on the Mells River can target brown trout. Brown trout dominate most beats here; grayling, sea trout, and salmon appear on certain rivers and seasons.
The Mells River is a small stream in the eastern Mendip Hills of Somerset. It is also known as the River Mells or the Mells Stream. It rises at Gurney Slade and runs east past the village of Mells to join the River Frome at Frome.
Below Mells it runs through the Wadbury Valley, past the remains of the old Fussell ironworks, now protected for the horseshoe bats that use them, and then through Vallis Vale, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The outflow from Whatley Quarry comes in as a small waterfall. Further down, at the Mells River Sink, the river can lose water underground into the limestone when the water table is low.
To some anglers the Mells is the most prolific of Somerset’s small wild trout streams. It holds wild brown trout, lots of them and some surprisingly big ones, and they will take a nymph or a dry fly that comes into view. The water varies from deeper glides to fast riffles and small pools, and it is best fished by wading slowly upstream and casting to fish that show.
The trout fishing we know of is club water for members, fly only and catch and release, with a season from April to mid October. Vallis Vale is a popular spot with walkers, so evenings, weekdays and wet days are the quiet times.
FAQ
Mells River FAQs
Common questions about fishing the Mells River, from day tickets and seasons to what to expect on the bank.
