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

Hampshire is the pre-eminent chalkstream county, where the Test and Itchen are the undisputed masters of the dry fly universe. At every twist and turn history and fishing come together.

Izaak Walton, who published one of the most reprinted books of all time The Compleat Angler in 1653, 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.

It was on the banks of the River Test that Frederick Halford honed his ground-breaking thoughts that effectively ‘invented’ modern dry fly fishing in the late 1800’s. And while he held court on the Test, George Skues, just 15 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.

You can truly say that when you tread the riverbanks of Hampshire you are following in the footsteps of giants.

Our rivers

		River Test Bullington Manor Four long, very private, gin-clear beats.
		River Test Kimbridge The famous Ginger Beer beat with a tempting hatch pool
		River Test Middleton Estate A perfect blend of wild and manicured fishing
		River Test The Parsonage A Fishing Breaks favourite for over 20 years.
		River Dun School Farm Packed with fish and with great facilities.
		River Test Timsbury 5 Fast flowing carriers and main River Test combination
		River Anton Upper Clatford Lovely, clear water Test tributary
		River Test Whitchurch Fulling Mill Perfect for stalking and sight fishing.
		River Itchen Abbotts Worthy Unstocked, wild and with some wading if you wish
		River Itchen Breach Farm A long and wide, gliding beat
		River Itchen Kanara Head here for great chalkstream wading
		River Itchen Qing Ya Xi Lodge Great for singles or small groups
		River Itchen Shawford Park A hidden gem
		River Meon Exton Manor Farm One of Hampshire's most untouched chalkstreams

Your fishing guide - Steve Batten

Steve has been fishing since the age of five and started with his grandfather on the beaches of the Solent catching plaice. Since then, his passion for fishing has spread over many disciplines pursuing carp, barbel, grayling, trout, salmon and bass.

However his true love is fishing on small chalkstreams for wild brown trout with a short 3wt rod and a dry fly. Steve is also a part time river keeper for the Portsmouth Services Fly Fishing Association and is the Chairman of the Hampshire river keeper’s association.

You may read more about Steve on the Fishing Guides page. If you wish to pick Steve’s brain, email him directly at steve@fishingbreaks.co.uk

Places of interest

View the full Fishing Breaks accommodation guide

Fishing advice and flies

In broad terms the trout fishing season runs from April to early October, with grayling fishing until Christmas. The hawthorn hatch will be in late April, the mayfly from mid-May to early June. The summer is great for a variety of caddis, olives and terrestrials. For more fishing advice and to buy flies click here.

Top Hampshire Flies:

Recommended outfit: 8½ ft rod, with 3-5wt floating line. Tippet to 2lb/6x. Most beats do not require wading.

Maps

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