Can anyone fish the River Test?

Can anyone fish the River Test?

River Test Chalkstream, Longstock Park and Testside Lakes The beats are open to fisherman from May to October. We also have two river fed lakes that are available all year round for fishing.

Is the River Test stocked with trout?

The River contains wild and stocked brown trout together with wild grayling but in the downstream half of the river rainbow trout are also stocked. As a chalk stream the water is always clear and has an abundant Mayfly hatch in season.

What flies to use on the River Test?

Flies for the River Test include Olives, Caddis, Terrestrials with a good mayfly hatch. Nymphing is also very successful on the river and a large population on freshwater shrimp means larger specimens are often caught with a shrimp imitation fished close to the bottom.

What trout are in the River Test?

The fishing is mainly brown trout with some grayling and occasional rainbow trout; fishermen may keep a brace of fish if they require.

Who owns the River Test?

River Owners. More than 90% of the Test and Itchen is currently owned by members of the Association, ranging from large Estates with many miles of river, to individuals with a couple of hundred yards. The Association currently has over 150 Owner members.

Where is the River Test in Hampshire?

The River Test is a chalk stream in Hampshire in the south of England. It rises at Ashe near Basingstoke and flows southwards for 40 miles (64 km) to Southampton Water. Settlements on the Test include the towns of Stockbridge and Romsey.

Are there salmon in the River Test?

Although the river Test is one of the world’s most famous fly fishing rivers, one doesn’t really associate this hallowed chalk stream with salmon or sea trout fishing. Both salmon and sea trout pre-empt spawning by months and move from salt into freshwater lies in the river’s lower reaches from spring onwards.

Why is the River Test famous?

The River Test in the Test Valley is one of Hampshire’s finest chalk streams, world famous for its superb trout fishing. The crystal-clear waters of the little streams, or bournes, are ideal for watercress growers and the numerous water meadows and tidal marshes are thick with wildlife, flora and fauna.

Can you fly fish for grayling?

Wet Fly Fishing For Grayling Wet flies can be fished either as a team or single fly. The least effective method of fishing wet fly for Grayling is to cast across the stream and swing your flies round. Try a method that will present your flies so they move with the current like all the natural food.

Can you walk along the River Test?

The Test Way is a 44-mile long distance walking route that will take you from its dramatic start, high on the chalk downs at Inkpen, to follow much of the course of the River Test to Eling where its tidal waters flow into Southampton Water. Overall Distance: 44 miles.

Which is the best River to fish in Hampshire?

UPPER CLATFORD – River Anton (Test tributary) 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.

Where does the River Test start in Hampshire?

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.

When does the river test fly fishing season start?

Fed by a spring at its source, the River Test filtered by chalk is the perfect habitat for this native species. Our season starts on 6th April and runs until the end of October. The much sought after ‘duffers’ Mayfly hatch is truly a site to behold with the water bubbling with activity

When is the trout fishing season in Hampshire?

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.