Salmon Beat

on the River Itchen
main river

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One of three salmon beats on the Lower Itchen Fishery, this bank-only stretch of Hampshire chalk stream sits just one mile above the tidal limit, placing it squarely in the path of fresh-run fish moving upriver from Southampton Water. From June through to the end of September, sea-liced salmon enter the river on a daily basis, and grilse average an impressive 7 to 8 lb. Brown trout and sea trout round out the quarry, with the beat open from 1 March to 30 September on a fly-only, catch-and-release basis.

The water is keepered specifically to suit salmon, with deep channels cut through beds of potamogeton and lies engineered using groynes and boulders on the riverbed. The clear chalk-filtered current means fish are often visible, and the induced-take method using a heavily weighted nymph has proven effective, with anglers describing the sight of a salmon chasing a nymph to the surface as "heart stopping." Insect hatches, particularly blue-winged olive and sedge, are prolific and support good dry fly sport for brown trout throughout the season, with the Grannom, Hawthorn and Mayfly following in succession through spring.

Day tickets run from £87 per single rod in early spring to £167 in August and September, with season rod options also available. A total catch-and-release policy for salmon applies across the fishery. A ghillie service is available on request, tackle hire can be arranged, and a fishing lodge with kitchen, bankside huts and BBQ facilities are on hand. Disabled access is suitable throughout.

Season In season · 1 Mar – 30 Sept
Rods
–
Difficulty
Beginner (1/5)
Price
From £87
Length
–

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

August 2026
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1£167
2£167
3£167
4£167
5£167
6£167
7£167
8£167
9£167
10£167
11£167
12£167
13£167
14£167
15£167
16£167
17£167
18£167
19£167
20£167
21£167
22£167
23£167
24£167
25£167
26£167
27£167
28£167
29£167
30£167
31£167
September 2026
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1£167
2£167
3£167
4£167
5£167
6£167
7£167
8£167
9£167
10£167
11£167
12£167
13£167
14£167
15£167
16£167
17£167
18£167
19£167
20£167
21£167
22£167
23£167
24£167
25£167
26£167
27£167
28£167
29£167
30£167

Day tickets

Day ticket1 March - 30 April (Single Rod)
1 Mar – 30 Apr
£87
per day
Inclusive of VAT
Day ticket1 May - 15 June (Single Rod)
1 May – 15 Jun
£112
per day
Inclusive of VAT
Day ticket1 March - 30 April (Double Rod)
1 Mar – 30 Apr
£148
per day
Inclusive of VAT
Day ticket16 June - 31 July (Single Rod)
16 Jun – 31 Jul
£150
per day
Inclusive of VAT
Day ticket1 August - 1 October (Single Rod)
1 Aug – 1 Oct
£167
per day
Inclusive of VAT
Day ticket1 May - 15 June (Double Rod)
1 May – 15 Jun
£195
per day
Inclusive of VAT
Day ticket16 June - 31 July (Double Rod)
16 Jun – 31 Jul
£255
per day
Inclusive of VAT
Day ticket1 August - 1 October (Double Rod)
1 Aug – 1 Oct
£275
per day
Inclusive of VAT

Season & syndicate rods

Season rodTrout Season Rod - Fortnightly Weekday
–
£1545
per season
Plus VAT. 12 days fishing for one rod plus 4 guest tickets.
Season rodCombo Trout & Salmon Rod
–
£1685
per season
Plus VAT. 6 days salmon fishing for 2 rods alternating with 6 days trout fishing for 1 rod with 3 guest tickets.
Season rodSalmon Season Rod - Traditional Fortnightly
–
£1800
per season
Plus VAT. 15 days fishing for 2 rods.
Season rodSalmon Flexi Season Rod
–
£2435
per season
Plus VAT. 18 days fishing for 2 rods during prime months (May to end of September).
Season rodTrout Season Rod - Weekly Weekday
–
£2805
per season
Plus VAT. 24 days fishing for one rod plus 8 guest tickets.
Season rodSalmon Season Rod - Traditional Weekly
–
£3270
per season
Plus VAT. 30 days fishing for 2 rods.

Booking

Book Through

Lower Itchen Fishery Primary
£87 – £275
Book

Stocking & Fish Species

Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Sea TroutSalmon

Rules & Policies

Catch & Release
EA Rod License Required
Dogs Allowed
Ghillie Available
Ghillie Required
Season: 1 Mar – 30 Sept

Fishery

From £87
2 beats

Lower Itchen Fishery

Sitting on the lower reaches of the River Itchen in Hampshire, Lower Itchen Fishery was founded in 1954 and covers approximately 5,300 yards, making it the longest continuous stretch of the River Itchen in private ownership. The fishery holds a single trout beat set within water meadows where insect hatches, particularly the blue-winged olive and sedge, are prolific, offering reliable dry fly action. The fishery's policy is to stock only brown trout and not rainbow trout, with stocked fish complementing the wild stock indigenous to the river. The average trout weighs just over 2 lbs, with fish between 3 and 5 lbs appearing later in the season, and the largest brown trout recorded on the fishery reached 8 lbs. Night-time sea trout fishing is available later in the season, together with grayling fishing through the winter months. Day tickets and memberships are both available, and the fishery offers tuition, equipment hire and a ghillie service for anglers who want on-the-water guidance. Corporate entertainment packages, tailored to suit specific requirements, are a speciality of the fishery. Facilities on site include a fishing lodge with a kitchen area, fishing huts and shelters along the bank, BBQ facilities, and disabled access, making Lower Itchen Fishery a practical and well-equipped base for a full day on one of Hampshire's most significant chalk streams.

Day tickets Tuition +1

Fishing Methods

Fly Only

Fly Methods

Dry Fly Nymph
Wading Allowed
Bank Fishing Only
Double Bank

Contact

Visit Website

Location

50.93822, -1.36022

View on map →

Amenities

fishing lodge with kitchen area fishing huts and shelters along the riverbank bbq facilities private track access to beats with parking beside each beat disabled access suitable ghillie service available tackle hire available gift vouchers available corporate event packages

More on the River Itchen

A Hampshire chalk stream rising from springs near New Cheriton, the River Itchen runs 28 miles through the Hampshire Downs, collecting the River Alre and Candover Brook just west of Alresford before…

View river details

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, access, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.

FAQ

Salmon Beat FAQs

Practical questions anglers ask before fishing this beat, from tickets to tactics.

01How many rods are allowed on Salmon Beat at any one time?
The rod limit for Salmon Beat is listed on the beat page — check before booking, as limits vary by season and fishery preference. Contact Lower Itchen Fishery directly if you need to confirm current availability.
02What species can I expect to catch on Salmon Beat?
Salmon Beat holds Sea Trout, Salmon, Brown Trout. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Salmon Beat is bank-fishing only — no wading is permitted.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
No ghillie service is listed for Salmon Beat at Lower Itchen 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 Salmon 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?
Salmon Beat permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Salmon 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 Salmon Beat at Lower Itchen 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 welcome on Salmon Beat — please keep them under control near the water and respect any local rules shown on the page.

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A mayfly day on a famous middle-Test beat can run £300 to £550, and that number ends up standing in Some more river magic to relax and wind down. Back fishing soon, can't w Some river and fishing magic. #flyfishing #chalkstreams #fishing #nature Throwback. Finding my father chilling with the fish in the river. He tried to listen to them, but th

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