Chalk Stream Fishing Hampshire
Salmon Fishing on the River Test
Salmon Fishery River Test at Broadlands.
The River Test at Broadlands is perhaps most famous for its salmon fishery and the estate is a place where many anglers from Royalty to novice salmon fisher’s have taken their first silver king. The fishing takes place on three dedicated salmon beats located on the upper stretches of the fishery and offers the discerning angler a place of peace and tranquility in which to seek their chosen quarry……..
Over the past fifty years the name Broadlands has been synonymous with chalk stream fishing in Hampshire. HRH Prince Charles caught his first fish here as a teenager and many have since followed in his footsteps. The three salmon beats are located on the upper section of the fishery and offer a wide variety of water to fish; from the deep holding lies of Lee Park to the tree shaded groynes and islands on the Rookery and Lord Louis beats there is always a chance that a fresh salmon may be lying in wait. At Broadlands we allow fly, spinning and bait fishing (shrimp/prawn from June 16th). The water lends itself well to the popular “weighted nymph” approach for the holding fish with more traditional fly fishing methods proving successful for the summer runs of grilse. Season rods fish on a rotation system and are allowed to bring one guest on each visit. All salmon fishing is catch and release and the season is extended by two weeks to allow sea-trout fishing on the fly
Sea Trout Fishing
Towards the latter part of the season Broadlands sees good numbers of sea-trout arriving on the fishery including some specimen size fish amongst them. Although we do not offer a specific sea-trout season rod, both salmon and trout rods often take this most sporting of game fish as an incidental part of their catch.
From late August onward we expect to begin seeing sea-trout on the lower beats. They can be taken using both tradition nymphing techniques and smaller traditional wet flies fished across and downstream. As stated, we do not offer a full season rod for sea-trout due to their seasonality but a day ticket is well worth considering toward the latter part of the season if you are seeking this ocean going trout without committing to a full season rod.
Season: Salmon: 17th March ~ 2nd October (with sea-trout fishing continuing until 15th October)
