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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
 

The Chalkstreams of Norfolk

Fishing Breaks has the privilege of representing Terry Lawton an acknowledged expert of the Norfolk chalkstreams. Spend a delightful day with Terry exploring the secret rivers of the Wensum and Wissey in the peace and quiet of rural Norfolk.

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

For all the apparent dominance of the Broads, there are plenty of north Norfolk rivers that are chalkstreams in the true sense of the word, part of the chalk seam that runs from Hampshire, though Norfolk and on into Yorkshire.

It is a surprise to be driving around Norfolk, stop on a bridge to admire the view and suddenly you are staring down at what looks like a southern chalkstream – clear, bright gravel, waving weed and and little brownies darting hither and thither.

But these chalkstreams produce some unexpected fish and are the jealously guarded secrets of the wealthy farming and banking dynasties that live in this part of the world.

Our rivers

RIVER WENSUM

The River Wensum flows for its entire length in the East Anglian county of Norfolk and is a tributary of the Yare, despite being the longer of the two rivers and takes its name from the old English adjective of wandsum meaning winding.

A true chalk stream, the Wensum rises in the heart of Norfolk, just south of Fakenham. It then flows southeast towards Norwich where it passes through the city eventually joining the Yare some 33 miles from the source.

The complete river is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation. This designation has opened the door to European Union and Environment Agency funding for projects to put the river back to the way it was before the dredging projects of the 1950’s & 60’s that damaged the gravel spawning beds and riverine habitat.

River Wensum and Wissey

Deep in the heart of Norfolk's most unspoilt countryside are two lightly-fished brown trout streams, both little paradises. If you want a trout fishing experience where you will be stalking fish, watching for them to rise and sight fishing in the shallower runs and pools this is the place for you. Terry Lawton is your guide and he's a master at this type of work. It could be you'll spend ten minutes wriggling into position for an especially desirable fish. One false move and your dreams vanish in a puff of silt. The river sees good hatches of mayfly, sedge and olives and if you're not on the top, you'll be drifting a nymph, watching for a lightning fast take.

This is intimate, challenging fly fishing. In places, the river is no more than two or three yards wide. You're eyeball to eyeball with your quarry. This is the place for that two or three weight, seven-foot wand that you've always wanted to use. Light tippets. Small reels. It's as though everything is merely an extension of your arm.

Prices include all tackle and flies.

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

Your fishing guide

Terry Lawton

Terry Lawton fly fishes primarily for trout but also for pike and grayling when the opportunities arise. His home river is the Wensum. Although he is a committed nymph fisherman and will give plenty of advice to would-be nymph fishermen, he catches his fair share of rising fish on dry flies. He ties all his own flies and builds the occasional fly rod.

Terry is the secretary of The Bintry Mill Trout Fishery on the River Wensum where, in 1999, he is proud to boast that he caught his biggest UK trout, a wild brown that weighed 4lb 2oz, on a home-tied, copper-head Sawyer Pheasant Tail nymph.

He is the author of Nymph Fishing: A History of the Art and Practice, and Fly Fishing on Rivers and Streams. His latest book Flies That Catch Trout is due to be published in February 2009. He has had articles published in leading UK magazines including Fly Fishing and Fly Tying and Trout and Salmon; in Flyfishing and Tying Journal in the USA and FlyLife in Australia. He is a contributor to the on-line fly fishing magazine Fish and Fly writing articles, reviewing tackle and books.

Places to stay and visit

Top Luxury Hotel Morston Hall

Top Country Hotel Victoria at Holkham

Top Gastro Inn Hoste Arms

Top Country Pub White Horse

Top Place to Visit Seal and bird watching

> View the full Fishing Breaks accommodation guide

Fishing advice and flies

Recommended outfit: rod of between 7ft and 9f – 8.5ft is a good compromise – for #2 to #4 floating lines, 9ft leaders and tippets of between 3lbs and 5lbs. Casting distances are rarely challenging but trees and bankside vegetation can be. Breathable chest waders highly recommended, preferably with wading boots with soles suitable for walking on grass and wading sandy or silty river beds. While some of the rivers are surprisingly deep, there are no slippery rocks to worry about!

Must-have flies include Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail Nymphs (14 –20), with and without copper bead-heads; “F” Flies (14 –20), Gray Wulffs (10-14), CDC and Elk (12-16), Elk Hair Sedge (12-16), Parachute Adams (12-20), and Emergers (14-18).

Map

County map --------------

County overview

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