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The Mill
Heathman Street
Nether Wallop
STOCKBRIDGE
Hampshire SO20 8EW
T: 01264 781988
F: 01264 782590
info@fishingbreaks.co.uk
www.fishingbreaks.co.uk
 

Chalkstream Fly Fishing in Hampshire

Fishing Breaks offer the widest selection of the very best chalk stream brown trout dry fly and nymph fishing in the county of Hampshire.

Our rivers | Your guide | Places to stay | Fishing advice and flies | Maps

This is the pre-eminent chalkstream county, where the Test and Itchen are the undisputed masters of the dry fly universe.

It was on the banks of the River Test that F M Halford honed his ground breaking thoughts that effectively ‘invented’ modern dry fly fishing. And whilst he held court on the Test, GEM Skues, just fifteen miles to the east on the River Itchen, was about to unleash the concept of nymph fishing and receive a mixed reaction for his troubles.

So, at every twist and turn of these great rivers history, Hampshire and fishing come together. Even Izaak Walton, who penned The Compleat Angler in the 17th century, has a place in the history of the county. He lived for the latter portion of his life in the county capital, Winchester. His tomb is in the Silkstead Chapel of Winchester Cathedral, a chapel dedicated to anglers and worth a visit for the special stained glass window.

Our rivers

		River Test Wherwell Priory Beautiful beats in a tranquil parkland setting.
		River Test Mottisfont Abbey The true and historic home of dry fly fishing.
		River Test Broadlands This is one of the most famous names in fishing.
		River Test Bullington Manor Classic, top quality chalkstream fishing.
		River Test The Parsonage The River Test at it's very best.
		River Test Middleton Estate A perfect blend of wild and manicured fishing
		River Test Whitchurch Fulling Mill Perfect for stalking and sight fishing.
		River Test The Greyhound Fun and easy carrier fishing.
		River Test Kimbridge Meadows A mile of twisting carriers with monster fish
		River Test Nine Mile Water All the challenges of a wild trout Test tributary.
		River Anton Upper Clatford Delightful tributary of the River Test for bank fishing and wading
		River Dun School Farm Packed with fish and with great facilities.
		River Dun Dunbridge A beautiful stretch with deep pools, fast runs and lazy back eddies.
		River Itchen Itchen Stoke There is simply, nowhere better.

Your fishing guide - Duncan Weston

Since leaving his native Scotland, Duncan has made a life of fishing on the famous Hampshire rivers. His philosophy is neatly summed up:

‘The secret to chalkstream success is easy: find a feeding fish before it finds you. Find what it is feeding on, duplicate it and make your first cast your best cast.’

If you want to pick Duncan’s brain, email him direct at duncan@fishingbreaks.co.uk All diary and booking enquiries should be made direct to Fishing Breaks.

NB Duncan will be out fishing most days during the height of the season, so sometimes he doesn’t get to check his emails as often as he would like.

Places to stay and visit

Top Luxury Hotel: Chewton Glen, New Milton

Top Riverside Pub: The Mayfly, Chibolton – Tel. 01264 860283

Top Spa Hotel: Four Seasons, Hook

Top Gastro Pub: The Greyhound, Stockbridge

Top Place Visit: Mottisfont Abbey and Rose Garden, Romsey

> View the full Fishing Breaks accommodation guide

Fishing advice and flies

In broad terms the fishing season runs from April to early October. The Hawthorn hatch generally coincides with the opening two weeks, with the Mayfly running from mid-May to the end of the first week in June.

Top Hampshire Flies:

April Dark Olive (14/16) Hawthorn (14)		May Mayfly (8-10) Black Gnat (14-18)		June Greenwell’s Glory (14-16)
July Iron Blue (14) PTN (141-6)		August Deer Hair Sedge (12-14) GRHE (16-18)		September Griffiths Gnat (16) Daddy Long Legs (12)

Recommended outfit: 8.5-9ft rod, of 3-5wt. Floating line. Tippet to 2lb/6x. Flies size 14-18, barbless or de-barbed. Waders required at Whitchurch Fulling Mill, Nine Mile Water and Itchen Stoke. Not required on any other beats.

Maps

County map ------------ 1 The Parsonage/Mottisfont Abbey 1 Kimbridge Meadows 2 Wherwell Priory/Middleton Estate 2 Whitchurch Fulling Mill 3 Bullington Manor 4 Dunbridge/School Farm 5 The Greyhound 5 Nine Mile Water 6 Itchen Stoke River Test Test carrier River Test River Test River Dever River Dun Test carrier Wallop Brook River Itchen

County overview

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