Chalk stream Fishing

River Itchen

For some the River Itchen is the ultimate chalk stream. Much shorter than its counterpart the River Test (17 miles vs. 39 miles), the Itchen is formed by the Alre, Tichborne and Candover Brook, which come together just below Alresford.

For seven lovely miles it flows westerly through the now mostly defunct water meadow pastures until it reaches the ancient capital of England, Winchester. Heading south it flows almost beneath the shadow from the tower of the Cathedral, alongside the playing fields of Winchester College and on into open country again.

Eventually, fourteen miles into its journey the river reaches the conurbation of Southampton, turning brackish at the Woodmill salmon pool before spilling into the ocean.

ABBOTS WORTHY since 2020

This is a particularly poignant beat to welcome into the Fishing Breaks fold as it was previously owned by Dermot Wilson who once lived here at Nether Wallop Mill.

As of 2020 Abbots Worthy will be part of the Upper Itchen Wild Trout conservation area so there will be no stocking in the future. This means that bar a few stockies seeing out their days, this is now an all wild, catch and release beat with smaller, but we hope in time, more numerous fish.

The fishing comprises of mostly main river, plus a short section of mill stream. You don’t need to wade but there are two sections where you may if you wish. Fishing is mostly from the righthand bank as you look upstream and there is a well-equipped hut with parking close by.

The beat is available for two or three Rods.



	No. RODS 2-3		COMPARE
No Dogs	2.6m	2m	0.4m
“Pretty, picturesque beat.” “Beautiful setting. Varied and clear water.” “I have been spoiled.”

April 3 – 30, July 14 – August 31, October 1 – 15	£125 per rod
May 1 – 14, June 9 – July 13, September 1 – 30	£160 per rod
May 15 – June 8	£205 per rod
October 16-November 30 (grayling)	£85 per rod

Minimum booking 2 Rods except single rods are available for June/July

AVINGTON since 1991

The River Itchen carrier at Avington is the perfect example of a small, gin-clear chalkstream where sight fishing is very much the order of the day. The fast-flowing stream has a good head of small, wild browns and grayling.

This is all bank fishing where it is best to use a rod of around 8ft in the 3 weight range with dry fly or nymph, the latter allowed all season provided they are traditional chalkstream patterns. This is suitable for one rod or two friends.

The facilities are second to none with a comprehensive tackle shop, run by the ever-helpful fishery manager Aaron, with tackle for hire. The carriers are part of the famous Avington Lakes Fishery, home to many British trout records.

NEW You may now buy tickets on the lakes which may be combined with your river ticket if you wish, including for the recently introduced Catch & Release lake.



		No. RODS 1-6		COMPARE
	Tackle shop & facilities	6m	4m	1.2m
“Proverbial gin clear water.” “Beautiful setting, well kept river and lakes. Plenty of fish.” “Great day. ”

River ticket : April 3 - September 30	£75 per rod
River plus catch & release lake ticket: April 3 – September 30	£115 per rod
Grayling river ticket : October 1 - February 28	£45 per rod
River plus catch & release lake ticket: October 1 – February 28	£95 per rod
Catch & release lake ticket : all year	£75 per rod
4 fish lake ticket : all year	£130 per rod
2 fish lake ticket: all year (8am-1pm)	£100 per rod

Tackle Hire Pay on the day

Full outfit

£20 per day

Closing times: please note fishing times are 8am-4pm in the winter and 8am-5pm in the summer.

BREACH FARM since 2021

Breach Farm is a wide, gliding, open section of the River Itchen south of Winchester.

Flowing through cattle-grazed water meadows this is a sweeping stretch of river with few obstructions for casting. There is a good Mayfly hatch, especially during May and good insect life with a mixture of olives, small mayflies and sedges during the season. Both banks are available to fish.

There is a 200 yard walk from the car park to the fishing shelter beside the river. This beat can accommodate 1-3 Rods.



	No. RODS 1-3		COMPARE
No dogs	2m	2m	0.5m

April 16- May 8	£165 per Rod
May 9-June 5 (min 2 rods)	£225 per Rod
June 6-July 31	£165 per Rod
August 1 - September 30	£145 per Rod
October 1 - December 31(grayling)	£75 per Rod

KANARA since 2018

Kanara has one of the longest histories of any day rod fishery, dating way back to the late 1960’s when the late ‘Scrappy’ Hay of the Rod Box almost invented the concept of day tickets at a time when most of the best water was impossible to access.

This is a true wading beat. Yes, there are a few sections to fish from the bank but once you are in with your chest waders you will not want to get out. There are deep slow sections, fast riffle, plenty of overhangs and undercuts, plus weirs and a huge hatch pool.

The fish are both wild and stocked, with both salmon and sea trout often seen. This is a beat for one or two Rods.



	No. RODS 1-2	FISHERY FACT SHEET	COMPARE
No Dogs	3m	3m	0.8m
“Will definitely book again.” “Lovely streamy clear water. Looked like a chalkstream should.” “Great variety of water."

April 3 – May 8	£208 per rod
May 9 – June 5	£285 per rod
June 6 – October 15	£189 per rod
October 15 - November 30 (grayling)	£106 per rod

Season Rod

One day a week	£2,450
Two days a month	£1,765

One day a week: Fish one named day every week April 16 – September 30. Two days a month: one named day in April and two named days a month May-September. This is a two Rod beat.

For further details, please complete our enquiry form or e-mail info@fishingbreaks.co.uk

QING YA XI & LOCK KEEPER'S COTTAGE since 2017

Formerly known as Kingfisher Lodge, Qing Ya Xi, which roughly translates as 'tranquil water' from the original Mandarin, is a truly delightful fishery.

This is really three beats within a single beat: the leat, the navigation and the main river proper. The fast, tumbling leat has a host of wild fish, the slower flowing navigation the big, fussy fish and the main River Itchen ideal for sight fishing.

With great variety, a lovely fishing room and plenty of scope to wander this is ideal for a single Rod or parties of two or three.

Lock Keeper’s Cottage: In the grounds of Qing Ya Xi is the spacious four bedroomed Lock Keeper’s Cottage which is available for weekend and weekly holiday rental, including the fishing.



	No. RODS 1-3	FISHERY FACT SHEET	COMPARE
	3m	3m	0.8m
“Good clear water. Well kept bank. Friendly owner and keeper. Good hut. Perfect day really.” “One of the best beats we have fished.”

April 16 – May 8	£228 per rod
May 9 – June 5	£312 per rod
June 6 – September 30	£196 per rod
October 1 - December 31 (grayling)	Only available with Lock Keeper’s Cottage

Minimum booking 2 rods May 9 - June 5.

SHAWFORD PARK since 2015

Shawford Park is a hidden gem in the grounds of the magnificent Shawford Park House that dates back to the fifteenth century.

The private estate employs full time river keeper Pete Glyn-Jones who has looked after the fishing for a decade with great care. There are two beats, both of which you will fish, one on the main river and the other a fast carrier. In total they provide close to a mile of water in wonderful surroundings.

There is the option to wade the carrier if you wish, but you’ll have no problem if you want to stay on the bank. The fishing is available for single rods or parties of up to four. There is a simple fishing hut and easy parking.



	No. RODS 1-4		COMPARE
No Dogs	1/4m	1m	1/8m
“Beautiful location.” “I would go there again.”

April 16 – May 8	£195 per rod
May 9 – June 5	£325 per rod
June 6 – July 31	£225 per rod
August 1 – October 2	£175 per rod

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