Chalk stream Fishing
River Test
In every respect, the River Test is the pre-eminent chalk stream. Physically, it is the longest; 39 miles from source to estuary. Historically, it is generally regarded as the birthplace of modern fly fishing. In literature, Halford, Plunkett Greene and Skues, to name but a few immortalised the Test in their fishing writings.
The Test rises in north Hampshire in the hamlet of Ashe, not Overton as generally supposed. It then travels on a south-west curve, growing in width and flow as first the Bourne, and then the Dever and the Anton join the main river.
At no point in it’s first 35 miles can the Test be regarded as one river. For it is an amalgam of the main channel, tributaries, carriers man-made for water meadow irrigation, side streams, mill channels and feeders. At some points two, three or even four streams run parallel, all fishable and such is the nature of the river that it is often hard to deduce which is main river and which is carrier.
On through the sheep grazed valley the river flows,
seemingly every sleepy, thatched village on it’s journey having some
part of fly fishing history. Below Stockbridge the river becomes appreciably
bigger, in places too wide to cast across. Then the Wallop Brook and
the Dun join the main river and it is only south of Romsey, a few miles
from the sea that the River Test finally becomes one single channel.
WHERWELL PRIORY
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Park beat |
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Priory beat |
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Wherwell Priory is one on the most idyllic country estates in Hampshire’s famous River Test valley, where the river flows through a tranquil parkland setting. The resident river keeper, Terry Snellgrove, takes great care to maintain the Park & Priory beats using the time honoured skills for a clear flowing river, over bright gravel beds with blankets of waving ranunculus weed from which trout & fly life thrive. The fishing comprises of just over 1.5 miles of double bank river, divided into two beats named The Park and The Priory. All of the fishing is from the bank, though there are some short sections that may be waded. Each beat has a comfortable Fishing Cabin. *Mini-syndicate offer* We are offering a
mini-syndicate rod – 5 days in total – for any
Saturday, Sunday or Monday - two days to be taken in August,
two in September and one in October. The cost is £780
including VAT. Contact diane@fishingbreaks.co.uk
for more details. |
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Day Rods
April 25-May 10 |
£220 per rod |
May 11-June 8 |
£288 per rod |
June 9-July 31 |
£220 per rod |
August 1-October 14 |
£190 per rod |
Minimum booking 2 Rods May 11 - June 8
Prices include VAT charged at 15%
THE PARSONAGE
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The Parsonage is a prime beat of the River Test between Stockbridge and Romsey, sometimes referred to as "middle Test". The beat, which runs through over a hundred acres of secluded woodland and water meadows, comprises of nearly 3/4 of a mile of main river and over a mile of carrier. Having the freedom to fish both the carrier and main river gives plenty of variety. The Parsonage has a very comfortable Fishing Cabin beside
the river, with car parking adjacent. |
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| May 1-10 |
£161 per Rod |
| May 11-June 9 |
£278 per Rod |
| June 10-July 31 | £190 per Rod |
| August 1-Sep 30 |
£161 per Rod |
Prices include VAT charged at 15%.
MIDDLETON ESTATE
Middleton Estate – Home beat
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The Home Beat as the name suggests was, in days gone by the beat reserved for the Wills family. Indeed legend had it that the river keeper was instructed to fly a flag from the roof on the Turbine Fishing Hut when the hatch was on to save a wasted trip from the main house to the river! Of the two beats this has the easier difficulty rating. The banks are easily navigated, the back cast is open in most places and over half the beat may be fished from the left or right bank. There is a terrific millrace that comes under the Turbine Barn that holds many a good fish in the turbulent, deep water Home beat Rods have exclusive use of the Turbine Fishing Hut and good car parking is within a few yards. This beat ideal for one or two Rods or for a party of 4-5 Rods if combined with the Half Water. |
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| May 1-10 |
£220 per Rod |
| May 11-June 8 |
£244 per Rod |
| June 9-July 31 | £180 per Rod |
| August 1-Sep 30 |
£171 per Rod |
Prices include VAT charged at 15%
Middleton Estate – Half Water
| The Half Water is one of our longest single beats on the River Test, coming in at just over a mile in length. It is certainly not as manicured as the Home beat, but therein lies the secret of its success. Over the years Jeff has managed the water in such a way that you have a bit of everything; straight open sections, twisty turny bits, tree overhangs, deep undercuts and fast, shallow sections. There is a good head of wild fish, supplemented by careful stocking. |
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In preparation for this season the estate has created a new fishing hut at Dog Leg Hatch with a secure parking area. This beat is perfect for two or three Rods or can be combined with the Home beat for 4-5 Rods.
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| May 1-10 |
£220 per Rod |
| May 11-June 8 |
£244 per Rod |
| June 9-July 31 | £180 per Rod |
| August 1-Sep 30 |
£171 per Rod |
Prices include VAT charged at 15%
For further details, please complete our enquiry form or e-mail info@fishingbreaks.co.uk
BULLINGTON MANOR (UPPER TEST)
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You will rarely find a more beautiful spot than this beat on the River Dever, an upper arm of the Test. The four and half miles of unspoilt chalk stream fishing is always crystal clear, making it perfect for sight fishing and stalking. Bullington Manor is divided into four double bank beats, each up to a mile in length. There is an early season hawthorn hatch and heavy mayfly hatch, with good evening rises during the summer.
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| April 15-May 10 |
£161 per Rod |
| May 11-June 8 |
£269 per Rod |
| June 9-July 31 | £171 per Rod |
August 1-Oct 13 |
£141 per Rod |
Grayling
October 23-November 29 |
£141 per Rod |
Min. booking 2 Rods May 11-June 8. Prices
include VAT charged at 15%.
WHITCHURCH FULLING MILL
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The higher one ventures up the River Test system, the better the hatches, the clearer the water and the wilder the fish. There is no better way of summing up the fishing at Whitchurch Fulling Mill. This is a true stalking paradise where the wild fish seem to peck away on the surface all day long, with a great variety of holding spots, pools and riffles. The upper section is best fished by wading. The lower section from the bank, with a Mill race that has some monsters lurking in the tail water. |
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May 1-June 8 |
£225 per rod |
June 9-July 31 |
£185 per rod |
August 1-September 30 |
£175 per rod |
Prices include VAT
MOTTISFONT ABBEY
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The Mottisfont Abbey Estate has three magnificent beats on the River Test and a delightful stretch of the River Dun, immediately above its confluence with the Test. All four beats are managed by the National Trust with the goal of providing the highest quality chalkstream fishing in a natural setting, providing the bankside and aquatic habitat to support the growing populations of wild fish, and promoting the eco-system in which all native flora and fauna can thrive. Each beat is perfect for two rods and has a private, picturesque and practical fishing hut. The wide River Test sweeps in stately fashion down the Main Beat whilst the Rectory Stream is as pretty a piece of fishing as you will find anywhere in the world. But hold your breath for the Oakley Stream, a part of the living history of dry fly fishing and every bit as magical today. *Mini-syndicate offer* We are offering a mini-syndicate rod – 4 days in total – for a day of your choice to be taken in each of August, September and October. The fourth day can be taken in August-October as you choose or you may double up on one of the other dates to bring a guest. The cost is £570 including VAT. Contact diane@fishingbreaks.co.uk for more details. The River Dun Beat has an exquisite meandering stretch of riffles and pools through water meadows above the hut and below it, a quiet glide through woodland to a spectacular weir pool at the bottom. |
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Mottisfont Abbey - River Test beats
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Min. booking 2 Rods until July 1
Mottisfont Abbey - River Dun beat
April 26-June 8 |
£269 per Rod |
June 9-July 31 |
£220 per Rod |
August 1-October 14 |
£171 per Rod |
Min. booking 2 Rods until July 1. Prices include
VAT charged at 15%.
NINE MILE WATER (WALLOP BROOK)
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Wallop Brook is established as the premier wild trout tributary of the River Test. The Nine Mile Water beat was rarely fished in the 1990's and has been much improved since we took it on in 1999. This is an exceptionally long beat for just one or two Rods. It is 1.7 miles of double bank fishing, that flows through meadows and woodland and best fished by a combination of stalking and easy wading. This is an all catch and release beat.
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Prices include VAT charged at 15%.
KIMBRIDGE MEADOWS –
River Test carriers 
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Kimbridge Meadows is a tranquil collection of carriers that snake around woodland and water meadows beside the River Test between Stockbridge and Romsey. Beautifully kept by the river keeper, Steve Brown, there is nearly a mile of water to cover, stocked with some of the largest brown, rainbow and blue trout you are ever likely to encounter in the Test valley. Ideal for one to four Rods, the Meadows is a relaxing and easy beat with excellent facilities.
Price includes VAT at 15% |
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For further details, please complete our enquiry
form or e-mail info@fishingbreaks.co.uk
THE GREYHOUND - River Test Carrier
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This is as close to fishing the famous Houghton Club water as most of us will ever come, as The Greyhound abuts the prestigious Bends beat. The fishing is ideal for one or two Rods, with plenty of sizeable browns on this well known Test carrier, double bank along it's entire length. With the Greyhound bar and restaurant at hand, it has never been so easy to quench your thirst between casts!
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| April 25-May 10 |
£92 per Rod |
| May 11-June 8 |
£112 per Rod |
June 9-October 14 |
£83 per Rod |
Prices include VAT charged at 15%.
SCHOOL FARM River Dun (Test tributary)
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The River Dun is one of the most substantial
of the River Test tributaries, rising above Lockerley and
joining the main river at Mottisfont. The School Farm beat
lies at about the mid-point, gently snaking through the lightly
wooded valley and holding fish along its entire length.
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May-June |
£611 for two Rods |
July |
£464 for two Rods |
August-September |
£386 for two Rods |
3rd/4th rod pro-rata. Prices include VAT charged
at 15%.
DUNBRIDGE - River Dun
(Test tributary)
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NEWS The length of the beat has been nearly doubled since the first season with the addition of an extra ½ mile of fishing that has been extensively restored. The River Dun is one of the most substantial of the River Test tributaries, rising above Lockerley and joining the main river at Mottisfont. The Dunbridge beat lies just below School Farm and is a beautiful stretch with deep pools, fast runs and lazy back eddies under the trees of the opposite bank. If you are looking for a beat where you can stumble out of your bed and be on the river, this is the place to be. The Mill Arms is just 300 yards from the river and offers comfortable rooms. Riverside Cottage offers self-catering accommodation. If you don’t have a car, the train station at Dunbridge village (well, more of a halt really) connects to London in around two hours. |
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The fishing is available for one or two Rods.
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May 1-June 8 |
£269 |
June 9-July 31 |
£220 |
| August 1-October 14 |
£171 |
Prices include VAT charged at 15%.
Fishing Breaks Ltd, The Mill, Heathman Street, Nether Wallop
Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8EW
Tel: 01264 781988. Fax: 01264 782590. E-mail: info@fishingbreaks.co.uk