Broadlands Estate River Test

One of the most famous names in fly fishing, the Broadlands Estate on the River Test.

The fishing on this private estate is one of the longest continuous stretches of prime chalk stream fishing still in a single ownership. Taking in the main River Test, the carriers and the River Blackwater this represents nearly 10 miles of river bank, contained within one estate and not crossed by a single public road and is justifiably renowned for the quality of the trout and salmon fishing.

In the 1970’s Broadlands in Hampshire, was rarely out of the headlines as royalty, diplomats and celebrities made there way to the home of Earl Mountbatten of Burma to stay in the beautiful Broadlands House, walk the Capability Brown grounds and fish for salmon and trout on the River Test. The fishing hut still boasts a picture of a teenage Prince Charles holding a salmon caught on one of his many visits to stay with his favourite uncle, Lord Louis.

Chalk Stream Fishing have recently taken a long lease on the fishings but have kept with tradition, retaining the layout of the fishing with three salmon beats and three trout beats on the main river and further fishing on approx one and half miles of carrier stream. However, within the traditional framework CSF are breathing new life into the Broadlands fishery with a browns only stocking policy, schemes to encourage wild trout, salmon spawning and, of course, updated creature comforts for the visiting anglers.

This new era has been initiated in close collaboration with Lord and Lady Brabourne, the owners of Broadlands and is in keeping with their commitment to a ‘mixed wild and supported Fishery’ Close to the hearts of all involved is greater access to these wonderful fishing beats that have mostly been restricted to invitation only, or by long standing syndicate membership in the recent past.