The River Test – Hampshire

The Test is the UK’s best known chalk stream with a head of wild and stocked Brown and Rainbow Tout. Sizes vary, but large specimines 7lb or larger are taken annually, the average size being around 1-2lb. There is a head of grayling in the river, this offers winter fishing on the river usually at much lower costs. Mainly dry fly and dupstream jumping ethods are employed. Stunning water, lovely scenery and will managed banks make it easy to cast. Wading is generally not required and not allowed. Mayfly periods attract premium prices.

The River Nadder – Wiltshire

The Naddeer is a smaller chalk stream than the Test. An 8 weight rod, with a 3 weight line is the weapon of choice. The river has many great beats and plentiful brown trout.

I’ve spent a number of successful days on this river and it is a delight to fish

Bob Glynn – Worldfishing-trips CEO and national GAIA instructor

There is good access in and around the banks in quiet countryside. It is primarily a dry fly and upstream

The River Itchen – Hampshire

The River Itchen is a beautiful chalk stream which flows for approximately 28 miles from mid-Hampshire to Southampton. The river has international importance and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its high quality habitats which support a range of protected species including the water vole, otter and white-clawed crayfish. Kingfishers, butterflies and dragonflies are also frequently spotted along the banks.

It is a wonderful river to be in and around with good heads of large brown trout and rainbow trout to 7lb. Grayling average 2lb with changes of big specimines to 4lb. It’s fun searching and watching for moving or rising fish to cast to a dry or nymph

The River Wye – Derbyshire

The Derbyshire Wye is a stunning chalkstream which varies in size. The water to fish is thin with many runs and pools. This is predominently a dry fly water with nymph early season slightly lower cost than the sounthern rivers but a favoured water. A 7 or 8ft, 3 weight rod is ideal for short cast. Presentation fish average a 1lb, and 2-3lb are taken each season. The Rainbow Trout are a wild population making this the only wild Rainbow water in the UK.

The Driffield Beck – East Yorkshire

A lovely meandering riveer with excellent brown and rainbow trout and Grayling used to be in vast shoals. However the predation has put a stop to the smaller fish and big specimine fish rule this river now. No wading is needed and site casting is a pleasure. The fish run to 6lb and are true fighters. Again this river is not as expensive as southern streams.