River Dun · Hampshire
Holbury Beat
From April · £120 1 to 2 rods Season 3 Apr to 24 Oct
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Day tickets
Buy a ticket for a single day, with rates and dates further down.
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Catch and release
Fish are returned to the water.
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Bank fishing only
You fish from the bank, with no wading.
About Holbury Beat
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.
How you can fish here
- Methods
- Fly Only
- Fly methods
- Dry Fly, Nymph
- Banks
- Bank fishing only
Pricing and season
Indicative prices. They don't show whether a day is still free and other rates may apply, so confirm availability and the final price with whoever you book through before you travel.
Tickets
These are the 2026 prices. 2027 prices aren't out yet.
- River Only Day ticket · 3 Apr to 24 Oct One rod a day, or two friends fishing together. Strictly catch and release. Bought online; the ticket stays valid for a year from purchase.
- £120 per day
Day tickets and booking
- Holbury Lakes Trout FisheryFrom £120 Book
- Upstream Dry Fly Day tickets
Tuition · Beginners welcome · Day tickets · Group bookings
Books this water as “The Blue Pool Beat”. No price published; enquiries only.
View fishing agent
Prices by date
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Day rate, hover a day for the ticket
Fishing details
- Rods
- 1 to 2
- Difficulty
- Adventurer (3/5)
- Length
- 0.75 miles
- Water type
- Chalk stream
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Catch & release
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Season: 3 Apr to 24 Oct
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
parking fishing lodge picnic area toilet tackle and rod hire
Where you'll fish
Location
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
51.04159, -1.58765
Conditions on the River Dun
The river and fishery
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…
View the River Dun guideFlies for this beat
Expected in November 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.
We get a small commission if you buy through these links, and it costs you nothing extra. If the calendar has been useful and you feel like supporting an independent site, buying your flies this way is an easy way to do it.
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.
01How many rods are allowed on Holbury Beat at any one time?
Holbury Beat allows a maximum of 2 rods at any one time. Contact Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery directly if you need to confirm current availability.
02What species can I expect to catch on Holbury Beat?
Holbury Beat holds Brown Trout. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Holbury Beat is bank-fishing only — no wading is permitted.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
No ghillie service is listed for Holbury Beat at Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery — contact the provider directly if you'd like informal guidance on your first visit.
05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?
Parking details for Holbury Beat are shown on the beat page, including a map pin where one is provided. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.
06What tackle should I bring?
Holbury Beat permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Holbury Beat page suggests the most effective patterns month by month.
07What happens if conditions are poor on the day I've booked?
River conditions can change quickly, especially after rain. Contact the provider as early as possible if you're concerned about Holbury Beat at Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery — many are happy to offer an alternative date if the river is unfishable. Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary by provider; check the notes on the booking page or ask when you book.
08Are dogs allowed on the beat?
Dogs are not listed as permitted on Holbury Beat. Check the Beat Rules section on the page or contact the provider before bringing a dog, as policies can vary by season and stretch of the River Dun.
Worth a read
£120 per rod
Out of season, from April
