Itchen Archives | Wilde Trout

High summer on the Hampshire Chalkstreams

We’re into the dog days of summer now, bright skies, warm water and chalkstreams fishing about as low and clear as they get all year. This week we’re talking nymphing tactics, family fishing days for the school holidays, and a daddy longlegs pattern worth tying on. Welcome to the latest instalment of the Wilde Trout fly fishing newsletter, bringing you fresh news from the River Test and Itchen.

Sedge takeover on the River Itchen

As the olives thin out through the height of summer, the caddis are stepping in to fill the gap at dusk. This week we’re talking sedges, low flows, and introducing one of our guiding team. Welcome to the latest instalment of the Wilde Trout fly fishing newsletter, bringing you fresh news from the River Test and Itchen.

Late Evenings on the River Itchen

Another week of glorious summer weather, and the River Test and Itchen are settling ever deeper into their classic July rhythm, low, bright and gin clear. It’s shaping up to be a memorable season on the chalkstreams, so grab a cold drink and settle in for a longer than usual instalment of the Wilde Trout fly fishing newsletter this week.

July on the Hampshire Chalkstreams

July is here, and with it comes some of the finest chalkstream fly fishing of the year. Low, clear water, prolific evening rises and a real change in tactics from the spring. Welcome to the latest instalment of the Wilde Trout fly fishing newsletter, bringing you fresh news from the River Test and Itchen this July.

Chalkstreams – The Evening Rise

The scythe is finally back in the shed. After a fortnight of hard graft, the River Test weed cut is done for another year, and the chalkstream has never looked better for it. Welcome to the latest instalment of the Wilde Trout fly fishing newsletter, bringing you the freshest news from the Test and Itchen this June.

Mayfly on the River Test

My goodness that was a busy one! Please excuse the 2-week newsletter sabbatical but I have been flat out guiding for almost 28 days back-to-back. Nevertheless, we’re post mayfly madness, back in the groove and as the dun turn to spinners I find myself back at the coalface, taking emails and returning calls. I think I have got back to everyone, my sincerest apologies if I haven’t. Welcome back to the latest edition of the Wilde Trout Newsletter. It’ssssss June!

More Fishing at Mottisfont Abbey

This week we have a chalkstream Vizla in the Bourne Rivulet, there is one more day at Mottisfont Abbey up for grabs, and the Mutton in Hazeley Heath joins the Guide. Welcome to the newest instalment of the Wilde Trout newsletter.

Episode 004 – A Warm Welcome Back to the Chalkstreams.

In this episode podcast host, Jamie Pankhurst, recaps on a warm welcome back to the chalkstreams during the first few days of the Hampshire trout fishing season!

Watership Down on the River Test

This week we enjoy the first few days of the Hampshire trout fishing season and the Watership Down Inn joins the Fork and Feather Guide. Welcome to the newest instalment of the Wilde Trout newsletter.

The Watership Down Inn

Deep in the chalk hills of Hampshire, beside the headwaters of the burbling River Test, lies Watership Down.

Anne Lewinsohn

It was lovely to be greeted by Jamie when we got off the train in Winchester. He immediately took us to a pub lunch during which he explained the ecology of chalk streams. He organized a perfect day of fishing for my grandson and made sure the rest of us got to our lodgings in Stockbridge from the River Itchen. My grandson had a wonderful day and experienced great fishing with Jamie's knowledgeable guiding. I would highly recommend him as a personable, knowledgeable, and well-qualified guide for all ages and fishing experience.

Bryan Gordon-Smith

Jamie helped me recce the site for a potential visit by my grand kids and to diagnose my bad habits having fished for a few years with precision and charm rectifying them with some great tips which he also summarised expertly in a follow up email. It was great fun and extremely useful!

antony hill

Wow! A fly fishing experience every passionate fly fisher should have. The history alone (FM Halford's hut) makes the day unique but then you add the phenomenally natural river keeping of an expansive footprint and the wild brown trout and grayling that, due to infrequent fishing, are accordingly co-operative and a delight to catch and return. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a truly memorable day.

ollie pattinson (olliehp97)

A really amazing experience and learning oppurtunity for getting into fly fishing. The whole day was organised and planned to be incredibly smooth and easy for beginners to get a true experience while enjoying and learning a lot. James our guide was also incredibly helpful, friendly and great at tailoring the day to what suited our group and what we enjoyed. Would strongly recommend and will be booking again

Fady Iskandar

A fabulous family day with Wilde Trout. We were complete beginners at fly fishing and we thought a full day would be too long. Quite the contrary, as we were all fully engaged with plenty to learn in a very friendly, fun and patient environment. James and Freddie were phenomenal, and you could tell they are truly passionate and loving what they do.

Stephen Duffy

Wilde Trout made for an amazing day for me and my son on the River Test. The beat was a peaceful and beautiful spot with a small fishing shack. The water from the chalk stream river was so clear that we could even see all the trouts ingoring our perfect presentations. Still managed to catch some brownies and a 3 pound Grayling in the heat. Also have them take you to the Mayfly for lunch. They reserved a table right on the river where we ordered their signature trout dish and a Guinness for lunch. They picked us up and dropped us off at Winchester train station which made things super easy. Thanks for great time. Will have to book you guys again.

Jeff Coote

All round fantastic day had with these guys - we had a full day private tuition on Wherwell lake and Chris our guide gave us a fantastic introduction to fly fishing. So much fun and we caught our first trout also. They went over & above what we were expecting. Cannot recommend them enough - we will be back (hopefully)!

Paul Davies

“Had a fantastic day with beginners and a couple of more experienced anglers on our recent day on the Orvis beat at Kimbridge. Jamie instructed and encouraged our novice anglers with great skill and patience and had them casting effectively quite quickly. He helped them with fly choice and understanding that choice and added immensely to our day with experiences and anecdotes from his own fly fishing experiences. A fantastic day on this beautiful river and I would recommend Jamie’s services unreservedly to others”

stuart robertson

What an absolute pleasure to be guided by Jamie on our recent chalk stream trout fishing venture. His experience, expertise and most importantly, patience (especially with the kids on our family day) were really exemplary and his fishing kit covered all our needs! Highly recommended! Thanks very much Jamie.

Andrew Cole

Very well organised day, with lot's of useful information ahead of the day's course. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and Jamie's teaching excellent. Teaching was a very well constructed, a balance of fly fishing in a nice relaxed format. Catching the fish was a wonderful way to round off! Would recommend.

Nearest River: Itchen