Houghton Lodge – Upper Beat

Houghton Lodge Estate's Upper Beat runs for half a mile along a main carrier of the River Test, just upstream of the village of Houghton in the Test Valley, Hampshire. Houghton sits roughly 1.8 miles south-west of Stockbridge, placing this beat squarely in the middle Test valley. Fishing is from the true right-hand bank only, giving a clear, uncluttered approach to the water. The Test Valley water meadows surround the carrier, offering open views and good wildlife throughout the season.

The beat is stocked with brown trout from local fisheries, and this area of the Test also holds a good head of wild brown trout and good-sized grayling. The season runs from 1 May to 15 October, and the hatch calendar rewards those who plan around it. May brings the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other upwinged species, while June sees blue-winged olives and medium olives come through in numbers. September sees the return of the large dark olive, and the final weeks of the season in October can produce aggressive feeding as trout put on condition before spawning. Upstream dry fly is the primary method, with upstream nymph a useful alternative on bright summer days when surface activity is limited. The beat is rated suitable for beginners — the well-maintained banks allow for easy wading and casting, and the carrier setting keeps the water at a manageable width and pace.

A 9-ft rod for a 4- or 5-weight line covers most situations here. The estate encourages the release of fish, and all rods are asked to fish with barbless hooks or with barbs pressed down. A brace of stocked trout may be kept if you wish, but wild trout should be returned carefully, and all fish under 2 lb go back. A fishing hut is available on the beat for anglers' use. The beat is accessed via Houghton Lodge Gardens near Stockbridge, which is well signposted from the town.