River Dun · Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery
Holbury Beat
Holbury Beat is a fishing beat on the River Dun at Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery. Day tickets from £120.
Pricing and season
Indicative prices only. This calendar does not show whether a beat is bookable or already booked out, and other prices may apply. Always confirm availability and the final price with the booking provider before you travel.
Price calendar
Fishing details
Holbury Beat at a glance
- Rods
- 1 – 2
- Difficulty
- Adventurer (3/5)
- Length
- 0.75 miles
- Water type
- chalk stream
Fishing methods
Fly methods
Holbury Beat covers about two thirds of a mile of the River Dun in Hampshire, with around 650 metres of it fishable from the bank. The river here averages six metres wide and a metre and a half deep, and runs gin clear through the season. Heavy rain brings it up and colours it quickly, but it can be clear again within 24 hours.
The top half of the beat runs fast over chalky gravel. Lower down it slows around a bend and flows quietly under overhanging branches, which is where the trout tend to sit. The banks are high and the sun is often behind you, so keep an eye on your shadow, and there are enough branches overhead to reward a hook, curve or slide cast rather than a straight one.
This is wild Brown Trout water, strictly catch and release, dry fly and nymph only. Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery keeps the beat lightly fished, limiting it to one rod a day, or two friends fishing together. The season runs from 3 April to 24 October.
Flies worth carrying include Black Gnat, Pheasant-Tail and Gold-Ribbed Hare’s-Ear nymphs, Iron Blue, and Mayfly in season, tied small: size 16 or smaller suits this clear water best. A day on the beat starts from £120. Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery also sells a combined ticket covering its lakes and the river, for anglers who want both in a day.
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Fishing rules for Holbury Beat
Fly fishing only, one single hook, maximum size 8. Dry fly and nymph only on the river. Strictly catch and release - no fish may be taken from the river. Every angler must carry a landing net and a priest. All fish caught must be weighed and recorded in the return book, and nil returns entered too. No wading or swimming. No litter, radios or animals. One non-fishing guest per angler. A current Environment Agency rod licence is required on the day. Gates open at 8.30am; if you arrive early, park on the village green rather than on Holbury Lane.
Amenities
Where Holbury Beat is
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
51.04159, -1.58765
The fishery and river
River
A compact chalk stream in the Test Valley, the River Dun rises near the villages of East and West Grimstead in Wiltshire and flows roughly 11 miles eastward before joining the River Test near KimbridgeDun. Depending on winter rainfall, the river rises between East and West Grimstead and flows almost due east to meet…
Flies for this beat
Expected in October on the River Dun
Typical months from the river’s hatch calendar, which applies along its whole length rather than to this beat. Not a live report.
Caperer
Sedge · #10-12
Kite's Imperial
Dry fly · #14-16
Daddy Long Legs
Terrestrial · #10-12
Sawyer's Killer Bug
Nymph · #12-16
The year ahead
Full calendarEvery hatch on the River Dun and the months it usually runs.
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Similar beats on the River Dun
FishingBeats is an independent guide with no affiliation to the fisheries we list. Listings are editorial and unpaid, and are not supplied or approved by the fishery. See our listings policy. Listing details are compiled by FishingBeats and may change or contain mistakes. Some services, such as tuition, ghillies, or accommodation, may only apply to certain packages and not to standard day tickets. Always confirm pricing, fishing details, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.
FAQ
Holbury Beat FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Holbury Beat, from tickets to tactics.
