A mecca for the devoted fly fisher, this is undoubtedly the most highly revered fly fishing river in the world, and for good reason. Its gin clear waters tumble over bright gravels and trickle between vast swathes of ranunculus and water parsnip as it breathes life into ancient deciduous woodlands, weaves through sleepy thatched villages and spills out over wide open water meadows. Otters splash in its burbling pools brimming with wild brown trout and the skies haze with the gunsmoke of electric fly hatches. Welcome to the birthplace of modern fly fishing and the grandfather of the chalkstreams, the glorious River Test!
Myriad carrier streams, water mills and water meadows yoke in a river that is almost never confined to one single channel, instead preferring to split into an amalgamation of five or more streams as it abseils the rolling hills of rural Hampshire. For some, to visit the River Test is a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage, for others a weekend escape, but for all who cast a fly on her waters it is a chance to experience world class trout fishing in simply the most breathtaking and blissfully secluded scenery in England.
There are a little over 200 chalk streams in the world and in the United Kingdom, we have 85% of them.
Here is a small and far from exhaustive list of the chalkstreams that we have available to book and fish on the River Test in Hampshire.
Some are available to select your date and book online today, others may only be fished in the company of a fishing guide or by special arrangement.
If you are unsure as to which beat is right for you, do get in touch and we would be delighted to offer our friendly recommendations.
Tel: 01264 554 884
Email: info@wildetrout.co.uk
For many happy years this has been one of the best-run fly fishing syndicates in Hampshire, with completely exclusive access to some of the finest and most prestigious water on the main River Test and her adjacent carrier streams.
Fish in the footsteps of FM Halford, at the Oakley, Rectory and Dun beats along the hallowed river banks of the world famous River Test. Welcome to the birthplace of fly fishing itself, Mottisfont Abbey.
The Wherwell Estate offers some of the most sought-after upstream dry fly fishing anywhere on the chalkstreams. This fine collection of beats on the middle-upper part of the River Test has unbeatable sight fishing for large trout in crystal clear water, blissfully secluded in rural Hampshire. We are delighted to offer guided experiences here throughout the season.
Welcome to one of the most famous collections of beats anywhere on the River Test. Bossington ticks all the boxes for traditional English chalkstream fly fishing. Immaculately kept riverbanks, terrific fly life and large trout!
These are some of the best known beats on the River Test. With an enormous collection of main river and carrier streams, the Leckford Estate is one of our favourite places to guide on the chalkstreams.
Perfectly sandwiched between the Mayfly Pub at Fullerton, and the fly fishing capital of Stockbridge, the Leckford Estate lies in the heartland of fly fishing the world over.
Beautifully kept by the lovely people at Orvis, this famous beat on the River Test is the perfect place to learn how to fish on the chalkstreams.
Its sweeping glides hold a generous stock of large trout and grayling. The beat is available for guided rods and large groups, and the spacious fishing lodge is the best location for a riverside banquet.
Another fine beat in the Orvis collection, Timsbury 5 commands a terrific stretch of the famous main River Test, plus an adjacent carrier stream.
The river here is slow and meandering and the trout rise lazily for their evening meal. The beat is available for guided rods and large groups, the cabin is fully equipped with tea and coffee making facilities and there is plenty of outdoor seating for a riverside lunch.
This beat of the main River Test is a great place to learn how to fly fish on the chalkstreams. Cared for by the lovely people at Timsbury Fishing, this stretch is charactered by wide open glides and deep pools. It is generously stocked with large trout and grayling and enjoys terrific fly life.
A fishing guide will come with all the tackle, equipment and flies required, plus an encyclopedic knowledge of chalkstream fly fishing, but more than that they make an amiable companion on a day beside the river.
Find out more about bringing a fishing guide on the chalkstreams, and check out our private tuitions and courses for beginners and intermediate fly fishers.
Dreaming of a burbling chalkstream brimming with frenzied brown trout slurping in the gunsmoke of an electric fly hatch? Your next adventure starts here!
