Journal

Not far from Stonehenge, and deep in chalk country, through Saxon villages and past dwellings of thatch and flint, flows the Wiltshire Avon one of eight British rivers of that name (it derives from afon, the Welsh word for river). Continue reading →

Following the pub winning Michelin Pub of the Year last year, the Greyhound on the Test won Best fishing pub in Britain and best sporting pub in the south of England! http://www.countryside-alliance.org/britains-best-sporting-pubs-revealed/ Howard Taylor, Hardy Pro Team member offers over 80 chalkstream beats in conjunction with the Greyhound. His company UpstreamDryFly offer corporate mayfly packages in May and June in with the luxury of reserved rooms and dining at The Greyhound for your guests. Please contact howard@upstreamdryfly.com for details.

We have commissioned a watercolour map of the famous Testwood Fishery naming pools, glides and other historic features. This is a limited addition of 100 and a few are still available from the renowned wildlife artist, Humphrey Stanley. The unframed prints are available direct from Humphrey at £75.00 Please contact Humphrey on 01989 770760 Or humph.s@btinternet.com

We consider ourselves very lucky to be the stewards of one of England’s most historic Salmon, Trout and Sea Trout fisheries situated on the lower reaches of the famous river Test in Hampshire. The fly fishing history at Testwood and Nursling runs as deep as the chalk bedrock from which the river springs. Similarly, the provenance of the Hardy name is steeped deep in piscatorial history and we have many sepia photographs hanging the walls of our lodges showing anglers of yesteryear fishing with Hardy tackle at Testwood and Nursling. Recently, the advent of SINTRIX by Hardy has taken the fly fishing world by storm… and this isn’t the first time Hardy have produced a revolutionary series of fly rods. Christening, or should I say re-naming the new rods Jet’ was presenting some big boots to fill. The original Hardy … Continue reading →

A salmon, a sea trout and a brownie in a day – Marcus Janssen headed south to try his hand at the Testwood challenge. Continue reading →

The “LADY OF THE STREAM” weekend at the Peat Spade Inn February 9th and 10th 2013. A chance to really understand this graceful but mysterious game fish in relaxed surroundings with renowned grayling enthusiast, tackle designer and England Team member, Howard Croston. Chalkstream guide and instructor Howard Taylor and AAPGAI master instructor Brett O’Connor. Book now, cost £295 + VAT per person. Dinner, B&B, fishing, and instruction inclusive. Wine, bar and gratuities not included. Limited availability. Sat 9th February 6pm – Introductions (and a beer) at the Peat Spade Inn bar. 7pm – ‘Grayling Fishers Dinner’ 3 superb courses in the Mayfly Mess private dining room with your hosts. After dinner presentation and slide show by Howard Croston focusing on modern grayling fishing techniques, their environment, feeding habits, flies, rigs and tackle. Informal Q&A session. Bed and breakfast at The … Continue reading →

Stop press: New chalkstream fly fishing water for 2012! River Itchen and river Test Upper river Itchen. (The Shallows and Main River beats) Superb wild trout fishing on the upper river Itchen. Most of the beats require wading as it is very traditionally managed. We have two generous beats on the main river Itchen that offer anglers that ‘lost in time’ private estate, wild trout fishing that is so rare these days. These beats will accommodate one or two rods comfortably. River Alre (Itchen tributary, Drove Lane beat). This beat is the most downstream stretch of the Alre at the confluence of the rivers Alre and Cheriton Brook forming the main river Itchen. Superb wild trout fishing on private estate water. Only 2 days each week are fished. Well rested and traditionally managed wild trout water. Candover Brook (Itchen tributary, upper and … Continue reading →

Fly fishing for salmon and sea trout on the river Test. In the last four weeks the fishery has accounted for nearly 20 double figure salmon and several in single digits. Continue reading →

Upstreamdryfly’s River Meon chalk stream fly fishing beats at Midlington, near Droxford, Hampshire. Continue reading →

Iceland, exploratory trip, August 2008……..
TROUT AT THE TOP OF A SALMON RIVER….one of the world’s finest dry fly waters. Continue reading →