River Test

Stockbridge, Hampshire, United Kingdom · Fly Fishing · Advanced

The birthplace of modern dry fly fishing. Gin-clear chalk stream water flows over ranunculus weed beds, with wild and stocked brown trout rising to duns in a landscape of manicured beats and thatched hatches.

Getting there & access

  • Fish from: land-based

Almost the entire river is privately owned and fished in beats. Access is by day ticket, syndicate rod or hotel/lodge arrangement booked well in advance — there is effectively no free public access. Many beats are dry-fly-only and upstream-only, and some provide a ghillie.

Access information source

Species

  • brown trout
  • grayling

Best times to fish

  • Mayfly season (late May-Jun)
  • Evening rise in summer
  • Grayling in autumn and winter

Recommended gear

Essential

  • 3-5 weight fly rod
  • Dry flies — olives, mayfly, sedges
  • Fine tippet
  • Polarized sunglasses

Optional

  • Beat booking
  • Wading staff
  • Landing net with soft mesh

Regulations and requirements

  • Environment Agency rod licence required (free for ages 13-16)
  • Nearly all beats are private — a day ticket or syndicate rod is essential
  • Many beats are dry-fly-only and upstream-only; check beat rules

Rules change regularly — always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish.

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