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; 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 its 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.
BULLINGTON MANOR - Upper Testsince 1991There 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.
Trout Season - Beats 1, 2, 3 and 4
Grayling - All beats
During the grayling season we disregard the boundaries of Beats 1-4, so all rods are free to roam as you wish. |
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DUNBRIDGE - River Dun (Test tributary) since 2007
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KIMBRIDGE - River Test
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MIDDLETON ESTATEsince 1991
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SCHOOL FARM - River Dun (Test tributary) since 2006
The fishing is available for two or three rods a day or small corporate
parties.
Minimum booking 2 rods until August 1.
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THE PARSONAGEsince 1992
Season Rod
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.
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TIMSBURY 5 since 2022
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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No. RODS |
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3m |
2m |
0.6m |
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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 since 2005
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. |
No. RODS |
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1m |
0.6m |
0.6m |
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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.