Tony Mair has set out to catch a fish in every county of the UK, and despite an unconvincing first visit elsewhere on the Frome he returned and fished the Wrackleford Home Beat recently with an altogether different result.

"My second visit to the Frome was entirely better….memorable, fulfilling and a complete joy!"

Despite a slightly adverse condition day the river fished well and gave for a completely memorable experience, particulary the second fish :

"The second, fought like a demon, and I believe it to be the largest brown I have taken from an English river at between 2 ½ and 2 ¾ lbs….and even better"

You can find out more about his adventures around the country and read the full blog article on his visit at http://afishermansjourney.com/2011/06/05/dorset/

Whilst the timing of the first show of Mayfly was about normal, the inconsistency of the weather has prevented really good hatches ...... until now.  I was out on the river last night, with hundreds of Mayfly fluttering around and the fish really tucking in.  If you only fish at peak Mayfly time - now is your moment !!

The weather has treated the fishing badly this year, first we had the unbroken period of cold north winds, then the bright hot sun which tipped the balance too far the other way - I am not sure I am ever satisfied.

The fish are certainly feeding early to mid morning, then dropping off until mid to late afternoon until the temperature drops too much.  Last night it began to quieten down by around 7.00pm, a little earlier than recent days brought on by the stronger colder wind.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's Escape to the Country - "The Sporting Estate"

From 1800, the remote, bleak, cold country hall or mansion, complete with its shivering, long-faced hounds was given a makeover - often acquired with new money, it became a place for ladies and gentlemen from the city to congregate and socialise. The country estate was a fantastic place to spend time together, to network, show off your political connections, along with the fine crystal and bespoke china.

It was the heyday of Victorian foxhunting, with increasing numbers of visitors flocking from all over Britain and overseas to hunt in the Shires that were a "sea of grass" at that time.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert began regular visits to Balmoral from 1848 and grouse shooting became a passion for the newly wealthy. Their son Edward Albert, actually bought Sandringham to develop drive shooting.a pleasure the chubby king could enjoy sitting down.

This programme explores how field sports changed the appearance of the countryside and contributed to the idea of the country house as a 'seat of social and political power'.

With Lady Carnarvon at Highclere Castle and Oliver Pope at the Wrackleford Estate, Dorchester.

The Trout and Salmon Magazine 
March 2010
Mark Williams describes in this fun article an exceptional evening that I had on the river with a couple of friends in May last year - fantastic fishing with good company makes for a perfect evening !

For the full article Click Here

The Shooting Gazette
July 2009
The Shooting Gazette put together this list of Britain's best game shoots, including Wrackleford alongside some of the most famous and well known shoots in the country.

For the full article Click Here

The Fieldsports Magazine
March 2009
The editor of The Fieldsports Magasine, Mike Barnes, visits the Wrackleford Estate Fishery to understand more about the river, its management and history

For the full article Click Here

The Field Magazine
January 2009
Robert Jarman includes Wrackleford as the ultimate pheasant shoot in his list of 20 Objects of Desire - the selection is from cars to watches.

For the full article Click Here

The Fieldsports Magazine
March 2007
The article takes a look at at the renouned shoot of Wrackleford, and what changes Oliver Pope has made having taken over from his father who had painsakingly developed the shoot throughout his life

For the full article Click Here