Chenson Fishery

The Chenson Fishery is ideally located for the keen fisherman who enjoys great fishing in a quiet secluded area. The river Taw is a typical small West Country spate river, with a characteristic peaty tinge. In this part of its reaches it is seldom more than 10-15 yards wide in low water, it is however very deep in places and the flow can be very strong. At high water, it is something else again: fierce and strong. Runs of sea trout and salmon can be prolific. We often have salmon in the first week of March and at night you can hear them crashing about in the river. Almost three miles of river greet the angler at the Chenson Fishery, in three lazy curves. There are two huts and three beats. A varied section of pools and glides feature here. The best holding pools are Rook, Ash, Chenson, Alder, Nursery, Canal and End which always hold migratory fish. Corner, Moor,Little Moor and Little Alder, Stump and Holly almost always hold fish. Given adequate water, all three beats fish well.

Spinning is permitted in March and fly fishing only is permitted from March 31st, but most rods seldom fish with anything else as most of this stretch of the river is superb fly water. It is a good idea to leave untouched the pools intended for night sea-trout fishing - at least from the afternoon on - as this will delay the start of the sea-trout's taking period....these fish can be quite shy in low water.

Double figure catches of sea trout happen every season (16 to one rod not so long ago). The beat has been lightly fished since 2005 as it has been only fished by the family. Prior to this 12-16 salmon per season and 80-120 sea trout were recorded. The largest sea trout was 17 1/2lbs, in recent years a 10 1/2lb fish was landed. The largest salmon recorded was 28lbs (prior to UDN!).

A self-catering cottage is also available to book, please see our advert in the Where to Stay section for more details.

Day rods are let at £250 per rod day (nominated day per season). Strictly two rods only per beat. Day/night tickets are sometimes available at £25pd from the day rods.

For more information on fishing and the cottage please email or phone..