COURSESChalk 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; it is an amalgam of the main channel, tributaries, carriers that have been man-made for water meadow irrigation, side streams, mill channels and feeders. At some points two, three or even four streams run parallel. All are 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.
BROADLANDS HOUSE
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Broadlands House is the private beat of the Mountbatten family flowing as it does alongside the lawn that slopes down from this magnificent Georgian home. This is an opportunity to fish on one of the most iconic sections of the River Test. The Tanyard and House beats are combined to provide one very long beat; in broad terms the former is bank or wading, the latter bank only. Some sections are left wild, but mostly the beat is open for easy casting. It is ideal for single rods, pairs or a small group.There is a fishing hut with The Cromwell Arms just 100 yards walk away. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus has comfortable bedrooms. |
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“Fly life was incredible. “ I just wanted to say that our day at Broadlands yesterday was a massive success.” The particular setting was a delight and sight fishing for grayling and brown trout was exciting.” |
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1m
0.1m
0.1mMay 1 - May 12 |
£tbc per Rod |
May 13 - June 7 |
£tbc per Rod |
June 8 - September 30 |
£tbc per Rod |
BULLINGTON MANOR - Upper Test
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If sight fishing over bright gravel beds, picking out trout with a dry fly or sight fishing with a traditional nymph pattern between the waving tails of ranunculus is your chalkstream dream then this is the place to head for. You will rarely find a more beautiful spot than these beats on the Upper Test, where the 2½ miles of unspoilt chalkstream fishing is always crystal clear. Immaculately maintained, with three picturesque fishing huts and resident keeper Simon Fields, Bullington Manor is excellent for the seasonal hatches we hanker after, where the chalkstream year may be measured by the flies you pluck from your box. |
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There are four beats of roughly the same length and all double bank, but within that there are some variations that give each a distinct edge. Bullington Manor has remained a Fishing Breaks favourite for each of our 25 years.
Watch the 3:30 minute Directors Cut of CHALK filmed at Bullington Manor.
Beat 1
Like all the beats, Beat 1 is double bank along its entire length, but with only one bank prepared. Starting upstream of the old mill this is the narrowest of the beats. Fish from the left bank until the halfway point where you cross to the opposite bank, so it’s good for left-handers.
There are two cracking hatch pools and a rarely fished section beyond the disused railway viaduct. You will share the Mill Cabin with Beat 2.
Beat 2
There is plenty of variety on this beat, which runs through open water meadows and shaded wooded sections. Fish the left bank (looking upstream) for the entire length.
Starting out at Keepers Bridge this is classic chalkstream fishing that then turns into a slower, deeper section along Grayling Alley culminating in the famous Ash Tree pool. Beyond that the Tank Crossing is a banker as is the mill race just short of the cabin. You will share the Mill Cabin with Beat 1.
Beat 3
This is the beat that has the quirky Buckingham Palace fishing cabin and is the beat with the highest proportion of wild fish. Make your way along the back track through the woods to reach the bottom of the beat at Venice Bridge without disturbing a single fish.
Start on the left bank just upstream of Venice Bridge; you’ll be fishing with trees behind you nearly all the way but there is mostly sufficient room for an easy back cast. There are variety of wide, fast or shallow sections, interspersed with pools and impoundments that have scoured out pools.
The final straight from the bridge to the Palace is a great holding section.
Beat 4
If you want guaranteed protection from the weather, be it bright sun or wind, Beat 4 is perfect as it runs through woodland from top to bottom. This beat has the greatest depth of the four and has a slightly slower pace that suits larger fish.
Start from the Dever Castle cabin and work your way up the left bank until you reach the beat end at Venice Bridge. The final section to the bridge has some fantastic undercuts. This is not a good beat for a left-hander.
NB If you are not sure which beat to pick please email me simon@fishingbreaks.co.uk and I’ll be happy to advise.
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“Natural and unspoilt surroundings. ” “An amazing day all around. ” “Sight fishing and stalking was a great experience. ” |
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Trout Season - Beats 1, 2, 3 and 4
| April 21 - May 12 |
£225 per Rod |
| May 13 - June 7 (min. 2 Rods) |
£395 per Rod |
June 8 - July 15 |
£285 per Rod |
July 16 - October 8 |
£225 per Rod |
Grayling - All beats
October 9 - November 30 |
£125 per Rod |
December 1 - January 31 |
£95 per Rod |
During the grayling season we disregard the boundaries of Beats 1-4, so all rods are free to roam as you wish.
DUNBRIDGE - River Dun
(Test tributary)
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The River Dun is one of the most important of the River Test tributaries, rising above Lockerley and joining the main river at Mottisfont Abbey. Dunbridge is a little bit of chalkstream heaven, immaculately maintained with great fishing for one rod or two friends. There are deep pools, fast riffles and plenty of shaded cover from the opposite bank that encourage fish to rise throughout the day. The river holds wild trout, grayling plus some really very large fish. Of all our beats this is one that regularly gets an evening rise. If you don’t have a car, the train station in Dunbridge village connects to London in around two hours. |
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“Plenty of rising fish - good fly life.” “An abundance of good size fish.” “One of my favourites so far fished in the Test Valley. ” |
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April 24 - May 12 |
£225 per Rod |
May 13 - June 7 |
£395 per Rod |
| June 8 - July 31 |
£275 per Rod |
| August 1 - September 30 |
£225 per Rod |
MIDDLETON ESTATE
The Middleton Estate is in Longparish, one of the loveliest villages in the Test valley where the fishing is cared for very much in the tradition of an old-style chalkstream. The Half Water is one of our longest single beats on the River Test, coming in at just over a mile in length. Extensively restored in recent years, this is a beat that has a bit of everything: slow sections, fast sections, deep holding sections and, hatch pools. Sections run through the water meadows; some parts are shaded by trees. There is a good head of wild fish, supplemented by careful stocking. The Half Water has its own fishing hut at Dog Leg Hatch with a
parking area. This beat is perfect for two or three rods. |
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“Everything was first class - just what I would expect.” “Good length of water with plenty of variety.” “We had a fantastic day at Middleton.” |
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| May 1 - May 12 |
£312 per Rod |
| May 13 - June 7 |
£421 per Rod |
June 8 - July 31 |
£286 per Rod |
| August 1 - September 30 |
£249 per Rod |
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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The fishing is available for two or three rods a day or small corporate
parties.
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No. RODS |
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“We cannot wait to return …. superb.” “The beat was in fantastic condition.” “Very good facilities.” |
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April 20-May 12 |
£335 per Rod |
May 13-June 7 |
£508 per Rod |
June 8-July 31 |
£354 per Rod |
August 1-October 6 (2 rods or more) |
£243 per Rod |
August 1-October 6 (1 rod exclusive use) |
£267 per Rod |
Minimum booking 2 rods until August 1.
THE PARSONAGE
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The Parsonage is one of the original Fishing Breaks beats, dating back over 20 years. It is a unique combination of the main River Test with a long carrier, all within the beautiful setting of woodland and water meadows. The main river is wide with a combination of long glides, deep pools and some shallow sections. There is a good wild trout population supplemented by regular stocking plus plenty of grayling and the occasional sea trout and salmon towards the end of the season. The carrier, recently extensively restored, is far more intimate fishing and the perfect place to break out a smaller rod. The beat is ideal for up to four rods or larger parties. There is an excellent fishing cabin overlooking the river and plenty of parking. |
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“A particularly idyllic spot and an absolute joy to fish.” “Lots of decent sized fish about.” “Fish rising all day under cover of the alder.” |
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| May 1 - May 12 |
£195 per Rod |
| May 13 - June 7 |
£295 per Rod |
June 8 - September 30 |
£195 per Rod |
October 1 – November 15 (grayling) |
£85 per Rod |
Season Rod
Full: Two days a month May-September |
£2,150 |
Half: Two days in May and one day a month June-September |
£1,325 |
Additional benefits include two guest tickets (one in Mayfly period) for a Full Rod and one guest ticket June-September for a Half Rod. Unlimited changes to dates within a 14-day notice period. This is a four Rod beat.
Fish Camp
Selected dates June/July/August |
£575 two days/1 night for four |
TIMSBURY 5
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The Timsbury 5 beat is a mid to lower stretch of the main River Test with an idyllic chalkstream carrier. There is just under half a mile of main river fishing and 370 yards of carrier, which is catch and release. The main river has a moderate flow rate with shallows and deep runs. It has good aquatic fly with a good mayfly and prolific sedge hatches later in the summer. There is a fishing cabin overlooking the river and plenty of parking. This beat can accommodate 3-5 Rods. |
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“Plenty of fish.” “A chance to open my shoulders with a 6 wt.” “Love that carrier!.” |
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| May 1 – 14, June 9 – July 13, September 1 – 30 |
£225 per rod for 3-5 Rods |
May 15 - June 8 |
£275 per rod for 3-5 Rods |
July 14 - August 31 |
£185 per rod for 3-5 Rods |
UPPER CLATFORD - River
Anton (Test tributary)
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Set in the heart of Hampshire, the gin-clear chalkstream waters of the River Anton are a delight for any river angler. The Upper Clatford beat is the perfect opportunity for classic sight fishing with the dry fly. A tributary of the River Test the Anton has a natural head of brown trout and large grayling, which are supplemented by carefully selected locally reared brown trout. Mostly fished from the bank, the beat does however have a wading section from the weir to the top boundary. Please note this is dry fly only until the end of July and restricted to two-rod bookings. There is a fishing hut and parking.
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“This is one of the best smaller streams.” “Both myself and my father caught some lovely grayling and some superbly fit trout.” “Very nice scenery and gin clear water.” |
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April 15- May 12 |
£95 per Rod |
May 13-June 7 |
£135 per Rod |
June 8-September 30 |
£85 per Rod |
October 1-December 31 (grayling) |
£65 per Rod |
Minimum booking 2 Rods
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. Fulling Mill is one of those rare places where you can get up so close to feeding fish that you can sometimes almost pick them up in your hand. The water clarity and the abundance of food are exceptional, and the fish are always on the look out for food. The beat divides into three sections; two wading sections and a third with a choice of bank or wading. In association with the Wild Trout Trust and Sparsholt College there has been much restoration work completed over the past winter with log deflectors and woody debris creating many new holding spots. The upper section has been fenced off from the footpath which is a huge improvement. |
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No. RODS |
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“Great wading beat with plenty of visible fish to target. ” “I had a cracking day. ” “The wild fish especially were fantastic. ” |
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May 1 - May 12 |
£297 per Rod |
May 13 - June 4 (min 2 rods) |
£395 per Rod |
June 5 - July 31 |
£295 per Rod |
August 1- September 30 |
£261 per Rod |
Season Rod
Two days a month |
£2,069 |
Two days a month May-September. Double rod option on request.
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