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 lower Candover beats). The Candover is a main tributary of the upper Itchen. A small wild trout stream that offers tricky but very rewarding wild trout fishing in pristine water. A single rod beat with mown riverbanks.
Elm Stream (Itchen carrier). The Elm stream is a beautiful river Itchen carrier stream running parallel with the main river at a braided section. All wild trout, wading required. Traditionally managed and well rested wild trout water. A single rod beat that requires wading.
Bossington on the river Test.
Bossington (middle Test). Also part of British aviation history, Bossington is in ownership of the Fairey family, makers of the Fairey Swordfish aeroplane. This famous private estate fishing is immediately below the hallowed Houghton Club water and offers a super mix of main river Test and carriers. Excellent facilities and full time keepers. The House Beat has the beautiful back drop of the Manor House and lawns.
Bossington, the Wallop Brook (Test tributary). A beautiful river Test tributary. Wild trout and stocked brown trout. Wading required.
We are very proud to say we have over 60 beats in our portfolio, on 20 or so named chalk streams.
Howard
Had a superb day on the Itchen yesterday, report below :_
Fishing Report
Name :- Martin Miles
Venue:- River Itchen , Main River beat, Itchen Stoke, Hampshire
Date :- Sunday, 17th July 2011
Conditions
Weather – Felt more like September than July ! Cloudy with some heavy rain showers, around 15-16 degrees C , strong and gusty westerly wind with about 15 minutes of sunshine all day. The trees were great for sheltering the beat from the wind
River – due to the Spring drought running low – but beautifully clear
Hatch
Steady hatch of BWO from late morning onwards. Little bursts of activity late morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. Spinner return at around 8PM before rain stopped play. Some very large sedge flies around which got the fish excited, but very few and far between
Catch
I lost count. As an estimate around a dozen Grayling and a dozen Brown Trout, but probably a lot more.
Had one really large Grayling. My biggest since fishing the Test at Wherwell last November. In its prime in a few months would be 3Lb+. Had one even larger shake the hook out – Language was appalling.
Flies
Fish were actively feeding sub surface so fished with nymphs. Home tied size 16 and 18 slightly weighted Pheasant tails, Hares Ears and Green Gold Head were the successful patterns. Tried a few Dry flies, Klinkhammer, parachute Adams etc, but they were generally ignored. Hoping for a dusk surface activity but the weather turned nasty
Tactics
Very long and fine fluorocarbon leader. My Marryat 10 foot number 4 rod is superb for this. Very slow wading, waded the beat twice during the day.
I used the induced take as per Frank Sawyer & Olive Kite.
I can understand why Skues was ejected from the Abbots Barton syndicate. If I had dry fly fished only it would have been a tough, whereas with the induced take nymph fishing I had a superb day
Other
Despite the weather I thoroughly enjoyed my Day, I have never fished the Itchen above Abbots Barton before (and mostly below Winchester) and what a superb river it is. Not spoiled by dumb stockfish, challenging and a beautiful environment. My usual Wiltshire Avon tactics and flies worked a treat. Having been fishing the chalk streams for 23 years I knew what to expect, however a inexperienced fisher may have found it challenging
I fished from around 10AM – 12:30PM and then from 2PM through to around 8:30PM (went home for lunch, also an opportunity to dry out! )
Had two young ramblers wandering down the path at one stage. Pointed out to them they were on private land and they were upsetting my fishing. They apologised and moved on.
I can recommend fellow anglers visiting this stretch to read the Ron Holloway’s book. You should have been here last Thursday. As River keeper for many years of a stretch just downstream his book is very pertinent and educational
Regards………..Martin
Please contact us for further details:
howard@upstreamdryfly.com
01425 403209
07748 832968
