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The River Axe is a good little trout and sea trout river which rises near Beaminster in Dorset and flows in a westerly direction towards Chard in Somerset before turning south and on to Axminster in Devon before running into the sea at Axmouth. It is a short river about 16 miles long with several smaller rivers and feeder streams joining it.
There is good trout fishing throughout its length and in its main tributaries, the Yarty and Coly. The sea trout fishing is usually best in its lower and middle reaches and tributaries.
The sea trout fishing can be very productive with a good average size, 4lb + fish are relatively common and each year 10lb plus fish are caught and also the occasional salmon.
Being a small spate river the sea trout are best tackled at night with a light fly outfit, perhaps a 9ft rod with a 5/6 floating line and 8/10lb leader. The usual traditional sea trout flies, tubes and surface lures all work, though a delicate approach and care not to spook the fish first is of most importance!
Some of the lower sea pools are 10-15 yards wide and are more easily fished with a longer rod to help with some of the high banks or controlling fresh fish straight from the sea. Sea Bass are also regularly caught in these lower pools.
Most of the river is privately owned or in the hands of fishing clubs which do not offer visitor tickets. However there are opportunities for guests to access excellent water in different parts of the river with rods costing from £7- £20 per day. Guided instruction from qualified instructors can also be arranged.
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