River Avon Beat

River Avon Beat is the Hampshire Avon water at Avon Springs in Durrington, a little under a mile of the upper river just north of Salisbury in Wiltshire, fished from the right bank. It is the stretch made famous by Frank Sawyer, the river keeper who gave us the Pheasant Tail Nymph, and it takes up to four rods. The Hampshire Avon is fed by two headwater streams rising in the Vale of Pewsey (the East Avon from chalk and the West Avon from greensand), which means it sits slightly outside the strictest definition of a chalk stream, but persistent colour from early-season rain clears quickly, and from summer through to season’s end the water clarity is comparable to many true chalk streams. The river is stocked with brown trout only, most of them the progeny of the original Avon native strain, alongside a good head of wild fish.

The target species are brown trout and grayling, with grayling running to 3 lb. Hatches are a genuine draw: early season brings grannom and large dark olives, while the mayfly (Greendrake), once it starts, can continue for many weeks. The Avon and Wylye can carry mayfly hatching off into July, giving this beat an extended window for the classic dry fly. The river also sees hatches of damselfly and sedge throughout the season. The beat is rated as explorer-level: expect fish that have seen flies before and reward careful presentation. Dry fly only is in force until 1 June, after which traditional nymphs may be used.

The season runs 13 April to 13 March, covering both the trout and grayling seasons. Day rod prices run from £71 in the grayling season to £130 during the mayfly window, with early and main season rods at £102, and the river is booked only through Fishing Breaks. The fishery’s two trout lakes, Willow Lake and Club Lake, sit right beside the river and are booked separately. A fishing hut and toilets are on site. Salisbury is around 90 minutes from London Waterloo, making Avon Springs a practical choice for anglers travelling from London or across the south.