Introduction

The Test Valley is one of the best-kept secrets in Hampshire, nestled between Winchester, Salisbury and the New Forest, and only an hour’s drive from London. The area is characterised by its wonderful countryside, attractive villages, the famous River Test and bustling market towns of Andover, Stockbridge and Romsey.

The River Test is regarded as the most famous chalk stream in the United Kingdom. Physically it is the longest, being 39 miles from source to estuary and flows through some beautiful countryside from its source in the hamlet of Ashe to the sea at Southampton.

The river is said to be the home of modern fly-fishing and it is high quality game fisheries that have made the River Test justifiably famous. Its chalk water and abundance of weeds are ideal for salmon, trout and grayling.

Situation

The village of Kimbridge is situated beside the River Test between Romsey and Stockbridge, on a prime stretch of the river referred to as ‘Middle Test’. The fishery is accessed via a private road to a private car park.

The Fishery

The 'Ginger Beer' beat is a flagship beat of the River Test. It has a long history dating back to the Doomsday book. This productive beat is a third of a mile in length with a medium flow rate, with interesting shallows and a bubbling top pool.

The Fishery has an equipped thatched fishing lodge and maintained lawn area that will be available to members. Easy access and its private location make it ideal for entertaining.

Alternatively Kimbridge village has a Farm Shop and Restaurant ("Annies") and the Bear & Ragged Staff public house is nearby.

The Fishing

The fishing is for brown trout using up–stream dry fly and nymph. Salmon and sea trout can be caught but they all have to be returned to the water. During the winter months members can also fish for grayling.

Membership to the Fishery will entitle the members to fish up to three rods per specified day (once every fortnight) within the season. The fishery is well stocked and the bag limit is set at two fish per rod. From then on, syndicate members will be expected to exercise a catch and release policy.

The Season

The trout fishing season runs from the 3rd of April to the 31st October and each rod fishes one allocated day per fortnight. All the syndicate rotations are sent to members before the season starts. Members are also able to fish their allocated days during November for grayling.

The Management

The fishery is fully keepered and stocked. There are weed cutting periods through the season at which times the river may become un-fishable. Members will be notified of these periods in advance. The members contribution to the management costs is currently included within the annual syndicate membership costs.

The Cost

Syndicate membership is charged at £7,550 + VAT for the 2018 season. Each new syndicate membership will also carry a one-off joining fee, which is payable to the syndicate.

For more information, please email Orvis at sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk, email Strutt & Parker at salisbury@struttandparker.com, or call Strutt & Parker directly at (0)1722 328741.