Cast your eye over our site using this navigation bar

Home Page (return to)	The Lodge	The Fishing	Flycasting Tuition	Site Navigation (click here for Site Map)		Booking  Information	Links	Photo Galleries
Price Lists	Accommodation B&B & Self-catering	Fishing Report (updated daily)	News	Location How to find us	Travel How to get here/Routes	Tackle Shop (Tackle by mail order)	Staff Wanted	Contact us Now on Skype!
Newsletter/Email List:		If you would like to receive our newsletters with the latest fishing and Lodge information, send us an email with your name, address (for any postal mailings)  etc. Click here to email directly.

Beat 13 - Blackstone

Section 1

Beat Map: (click here to view)

Description:
          Blackstone is only separated from Wood Stream by one small field (which we do not fish) at the upstream end, & by Bridgetown Abbey beat at the downstream end.  It is a relatively straight stretch with trees overhanging much of the opposite bank, except for a gap from the upstream limit to just above the Blackstone.  The bank on our side is mostly quite high, but there is access down to the water's edge from where the main lies can be fished. 
          From the upstream limit at the top of the field, & on down to where the trees start on the opposite bank just above the Blackstone is best fished with a spun shrimp or worms in low water, or a spinner or worm in higher water. 
          Below this, the Blackstone protrudes out of the far bank like a large finger, just below the start of the trees on the opposite bank.  There is a concrete pier in the water under our bank right opposite the Blackstone.
          Fish lie above & below this rock, and down along The Avenue under the trees on the opposite bank, where they can be best covered with spinner or worm in high water or worm or floated shrimp in low water.  Along the far bank below the Blackstone, the depth averages 5-6 feet, shallowing slightly to about 3-4 feet on our side.  In low water conditions, the stretch from above the Blackstone to the fence above the Oak Tree is wadable with chest waders, enabling the water under the trees on the far bank to be covered effectively, especially with worm of floated shrimp.
          Down below the Blackstone & as far as the Oak Tree, fish lie from the middle to the far side, & can be well covered with a spinner in medium to high water.  From the Oak Tree down to below the next couple of trees, the fish lie from the middle to our side, & are best fished for with worm or spinner in medium to high water, & floated shrimp in low water.  From under the Oak Tree to down past the trees & in front of the seat, the river bed is littered with large rocks, which provide superb lies for salmon.            Towards the Downstream Limit (marked by the lane at the top of the Island at the head of the Bridgetown Abbey Beat below) the river widens, and spinning can be very effective in high water (especially in the Spring), with fish likely to take anywhere across the whole width of the river.  The bottom is gravel with the odd larger stone and weed.  The water under the far bank is quite shallow, with a heavy weed growth in summer.