about the cotswold flyfishers

The fishing

The Cotswolds region is a beautiful and ecologically rich landscape in the heart of England. The Cotswold Flyfishers Club manages many miles of limestone-fed rivers and streams in the region with the aim of preserving and enhancing the health of these rivers and all the wildlife they sustain while providing recreation for our members. We believe that enhancing the aquatic environment for wild trout and grayling fishing contributes to a richer and healthier landscape for the benefit of all.

We provide fishing for our members on more than 30 miles of bank across 20+ river fisheries as well as two small stillwater fisheries. These fisheries include six beats on the River Coln, four beats on the River Windrush, three beats on the River Kennet, two beats on the Rivers Churn, Leach and Dikler, plus fishing on the Glyme and Sherborne Brook. We also have access to trout and salmon fishing on the River Test at Broadlands. During the winter there are limited grayling and coarse fishing opportunities. 

Most of our fisheries have good stocks of wild brown trout and offer excellent dry fly fishing. The Cotswold rivers are particularly noted for their prolific mayfly hatches and every year specimen trout are caught at this time. The rivers vary in size and character, ranging from small streams to larger rivers. Some are best fished by wading while others are better suited to bank fishing.

All our wild trout waters are fished on a catch-and-release basis with barbless hooks.

Club structure and membership

The club is run entirely by volunteers. Members play a key role in maintaining the fisheries with weekly work parties taking place through the winter month with a focus on habitat improvement and encouraging natural regeneration. 

This means that we are able to offer a wide and varied range of fly fishing at a very reasonable cost. However, membership numbers are limited and so there is usually a waiting list for admission.

The annual subscription is £660, for full membership, and £440 for senior membership (over 75).  There is non-returnable registration fee of £187, which is payable as a deposit upon application.

You must be over 18 to join the club, but youngsters below this age can fish free of charge if accompanied by a member.  (Full details of this arrangement are in the handbook which is issued to all members.) 

The club also offer two levels of cadet membership, as follows:

    Cadet 1: for people between the ages of 18-25 - £330, no registration fee.

    Cadet 2: for people between the ages of 26-29 - £495, no registration fee.

Upon reaching the age of 30, cadet members can move directly to full membership simply by paying the full sub. 

Members also benefit from discounts on various fishing related products and services, as well as occasional social events.

ENQUIRE NOW TO BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

Taster days

Prospective members can enjoy a 'taster day' with one of our approved fishing guides on certain of the club’s waters. For more information, contact one of the club’s endorsed flyfishing guides.

Link to Taster Days page.