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We invite you to visit us in the heart of Wessex chalk stream country to fish the fabled waters of the Rivers Test, Itchen, and Nadder—surely some of the finest dry fly fishing in the UK.
Chalk stream dry fly fishing is the ultimate fishing experience and the prime beats of these rivers are highly coveted. Much of the fishing is in the hands of private syndicates and there is comparatively little 'day ticket' fishing available. At Orvis, we are fortunate to actually own two beats ourselves and also offer fishing on a selection of other exclusive stretches. Trust in our 30 years of experience to help you find the right fishing with the very best local guides.
We are accepting enquiries for bookings in the 2021 season.
Please contact us directly on sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk , or call Sporting Adventures at 01264 349515.
Chalk streams have the unique quality of rarely flooding or drying out. During the heavy rains or sudden thaws, the water is absorbed by the valley into the underlying chalk and later distributed through springs to the stream. This means the trout's habitat is rarely disturbed, and scouring floods do not deplete his food. This freedom from flooding is also very important to the fisherman, as chalk streams are almost always fishable regardless of weather conditions.
If you want to understand the essence of fly fishing, you need to journey to the chalk streams of England at least once in your lifetime. Here, amidst the green, rural countryside and the quaint villages flow the rivers where fly fishing was born. To cast a fly on the Test, Itchen and kindred waters is to step far back in angling history, to a time when it was a gentleman's pursuit and the pace of the sporting life allowed for a deep enjoyment of time on the river.
We can put you on the best private waters in Wessex, only a few hours drive from London. You can sample chalk streams at their finest. The Orvis waters are renowned amongst anglers and our local guides will introduce you to the waters they know like the back of their weathered hands.
All of our beats can be comfortably fished with a 9' #5 weight rod, but it is great fun to fish the smaller carriers with lighter rods. Many of our regular clients now fish with shorter #3 and #4 weight models, particularly later in the year, but just remember in Mayfly time you will need some "firepower" to comfortably turn over the bigger patterns.
On the Itchen and Test Beats specifically, we recommend 8' 6" - 10" rod lengths with a Mid flex or Tip flex action and a line size of 4-6#.
Shop our Clearwater Fly Rods and our Recon Fly Rods.
The Orvis shop at Stockbridge is a great resource, and the friendly staff will be glad to assist with information about the most suitable equipment and flies. Click here for telephone, address information and driving directions to our Stockbridge shop.
Our 'Ginger Beer' beat is our flagship piece of the 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 beat can be booked exclusively for the day with a guide for up to 5 rods but can accommodate up to 10 for a corporate fun day on the river. Our thatched fishing lodge and easy access make it ideal for entertaining. This beat is extremely popular—early booking is recommended.
Full 3 rod bi-weekly season syndicate (17 days for 3 rods) £7,550+VAT
Guided only £225 per Guide required
Guided days are inclusive of tackle hire if required.
To book a Day Rod Letting at Kimbridge, please call Orvis Sporting Adventures on 01264-349515 or email
sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk
A rare opportunity to take a syndicate membership on one of the most famous chalkstream rivers, said to be the home of modern fly fishing. The Ginger Beer beat is a flagship beat of the River Test.
The syndicate membership will entitle the member to fish up to three rods on a specified day every fortnight within the trout season running from 3rd April – 30th November 2021, including the annual weedcut periods.
The Timsbury 5 beat is mid to lower stretch of the main river Test with an idyllic chalkstream carrier. There is just under half a mile of main river fishing and 370 yards of carrier, which is catch and release. The main river has a moderate flow rate with shallows and deep runs. It has good aquatic fly with a good mayfly and prolific sedge hatches later in the summer. This beat can accommodate up to 5 rods and can be booked exclusively with a guide.
Guided only £225 per Guide required
Guided days are inclusive of tackle hire if required.
To book a Day Rod Letting at Timsbury 5, please call Orvis Sporting Adventures on 01264-349515 or email
sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk
Our Abbots Worthy beat on the River Itchen is about a third of a mile with single and double bank fishing. It is the most challenging of our pieces of water for casting and stalking, as it is clear all year round with good aquatic fly life providing plenty of hatches, including Iron Blue and Large Dark Olive in good numbers and even the rare Turkey Brown. Most of the River Itchen is a conservation area under SSSI management. We are promoting catch and release on this stretch to preserve its native brown trout. It can accommodate up to 3 rods and can be booked exclusively with a ghillie for the day. This beat is also home to some superb grayling with fish to over 3lbs caught each season.
Guided only £225 per Guide required
Guided days are inclusive of tackle hire if required.
To book a Day Rod Letting at Abbots Worthy (Itchen), please call Orvis Sporting Adventures on 01264-349515 or email sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk
We have access to some of the finest fishing on the whole of the River Nadder in the most beautiful surroundings. It extends to seven beats, over 2½ miles, and is regularly stocked with both brown and rainbow trout. Fly life is plentiful, with a particularly spectacular Mayfly season. The whole is immaculately kept.
Guided only £225 per Guide required
To book a Day Rod Letting at River Nadder, please call Orvis Sporting Adventures on 01264-349515 or email sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk
This is a superb two rod beat in a lovely setting, one of the Test Valley’s best kept ‘secret’ fishing locations. This secluded tributary to the Test meanders through pasture, woodland and has unspoilt natural bank sides. The fishing provides classic chalk stream style dry fly fishing to rising fish as the water enjoys consistent hatches of aquatic fly life throughout the season.
Guided only £225 per Guide required
To book a Day Rod Letting at River Anton, please call Orvis Sporting Adventures on 01264-349515 or email sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk
Our procedure for booking our river beats for the day are as follows: (1) To reserve a day on one of our beats, please call Sporting Adventures on 01264 349515, and we will be delighted to discuss the correct beat according to your requirements and ability; (2) We require at least two-days notice, but prefer a week, subject to beat and Guide availability; (3) All bookings will be confirmed in writing.
Payment for our fly-fishing trips is required 14 days prior to the day booked, by valid credit card or cheque.
Cancellation in good time gives other clients the chance to fish. All cancellations must be made one month in advance to guarantee no charge. Orvis reserves the right to charge up to the full amount for late cancellations of our fly-fishing schools and trips. A 50% refund will be given if cancellations are made 14 days prior. We will, however, treat each instance fairly, based on late cancellations of our fly-fishing schools, day lettings or trips.
Generally, we ask you to meet your Guide at our shop in Stockbridge at 9 a.m., where he will be happy to give you advice on suitable terminal tackle, such as tippet, leaders and flies for the beat you are fishing. However, alternative meeting arrangements may be made with prior agreement.
The responsibility for obtaining this (non-migratory trout) licence is the liability of each individual fisherman. These can be bought for a day, month, or annually, and can be obtained at any Post Office, or directly from the
Environmental Agency website
.
Important: It is a legal requirement to be in possession of a valid EA licence before you commence fishing.
We would request that you do not bring your animals for the day, as this can create difficult situations on the riverbank.
Our Guides combine the role of gillie, qualified instructor, amiable companion and riverside valet, their joint knowledge would be the envy of any trout fisherman. Your Guide is there to assist you as much or as little as you may require. He will help you set up your tackle and generally advise you what flies are suitable for the particular beat. Our guides normally accompany you between 9.00am and 6pm. If you want to fish on into the evening, please just let the fishing department know when you book.
These can be made through Sporting Adventures, who will be able to guide you to the correct course according to your ability and requirements. A deposit will be required for each booking as a confirmation of your booking. All cancellations must be made one month prior to date of advertised course to guarantee no charge (see cancellations). Please contact Sporting Adventures on 01264 349515 or email sportingadventures@orvis.co.uk to make your booking.
If members of your family do not fish, they are certain to find the area charming and fun to explore. The area offers excellent sight seeing: Danebury with its Iron Age fortress, and Stonehenge with its mysterious standing stones; the cathedrals at Salisbury and Winchester; the Norman Abbey at Romsey, and great houses such as Wilton and Broadlands.
Orvis UK /Fly Fishing in the UK /Chalk Stream Fly Fishing |
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