Newsletter – Sunday 07 June 2026

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!
Newsletter – Wednesday 22 April 2026

This week the hawthorn is starting to bloom, the fly hatches are finally bursting and we have a stunning new beat on the River Kennet in Berkshire! Welcome to the newest instalment of the Wilde Trout newsletter.
Restoring the River Test at Mottisfont Abbey

In this article, Neil grapples with passing the torch back to nature at Mottisfont, and restoring a river that has been shaped by humans for millennia.
Episode 005 – Fishing on a Blustery April Afternoon at the Mottisfont Estate.

Join Jamie as he dons the waders and slips into the River Test, rod in hand, at the famous Oakley beat on the River Test.
Follow the highs and lows, the strikes and misses and the tangles and turmoils as Jamie wades along the hallowed waters of the River Test at Mottisfont, targeting wild brown trout and retracing the footsteps of the great FM Halford.
Newsletter – Wednesday 15 April 2026

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!
Newsletter – Wednesday 08 April 2026

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.
Episode 003 – The Story of a River Keeper Turned River Restorationist, Neil Swift.

In this exciting discussion piece, we dive into the mind of Neil Swift, the project officer at the Wessex Rivers Trust, charged with rolling out some of the most ambitious river restoration initiatives across our southern chalkstreams.
Join us on the hallowed banks of the Oakley beat as we grapple with upheaving centuries of human ingenuity and stewardship, and passing the torch back to nature at the epicentre of fly fishing itself, Mottisfont Abbey.
We find out what makes a river keeper turned river restoration practitioner tick, what are the challenges that face the WRT, and specifically all that has been done to improve chalkstream habitat at the Mottisfont Estate on the River Test.
Newsletter – Wednesday 01 April 2026

This week we look back on redecorating Halford’s Hut, the ‘Mooph’ joins the Fork and Feather Guide, and Samba the capybara is still at large. Welcome to the newest instalment of the Wilde Trout newsletter.