Lee Park Beat

Lee Park Beat sits on the lower River Test, just downstream of Romsey, within the 4.5 kilometres of the river that flow through the Broadlands Estate. It is one of five named trout and salmon beats on the estate, covering just under half a mile of double-bank main river chalk stream. This section of the Test is wide, fast and varied, and as the season progresses and winter flows recede, the beat settles into lovely pools and long riffles that lend themselves well to upstream presentation.

The beat fishes dry fly and nymph only, with up to three rods, and is rated suitable for beginners — the double-bank access and wading allowance giving newcomers room to find their feet. Early season typically favours nymphing, though hatches of large dark olives, grannom, iron blue dun and hawthorn can bring fish up from opening day on 3 April. The estate is well known for its mayfly hatches, and this far down the valley the hatch tends to arrive a little earlier than upstream beats, with first appearances in early May and the main event running through mid to late May. Brown trout and grayling make up the resident population, with moderate stocking supplementing wild fish; all wild fish must be returned. Grayling on the estate typically average around 1 lb, though fish close to 3 lb are caught each season.

Fishing runs from 3 April to 15 October, upstream dry fly and nymph only, with natural imitation flies and a maximum hook size of 10. Two stocked trout of 14 inches and above may be killed per rod per day, with catch and release thereafter for up to four additional fish. Day rods are available from £220 in early and late season, rising to £300 at peak, with fortnightly rod options from £1,100 for a half rod. A fishing hut — the famous Nissen Hut, a long-standing retreat for Broadlands anglers — is available on site, along with toilet facilities. The estate is around one hour fifteen minutes from London Waterloo by road or train to Southampton.