Moorcourt Beat

Moorcourt is the middle of three trout beats on the lower River Test, just downstream from Romsey on the Broadlands Estate in Hampshire. The estate accounts for 4.5 kilometres of the Test's 64-kilometre length, and this section of the river is wide, fast, varied and open — quite different in character from the intimate upper reaches. At just over half a mile of double-bank main river, Moorcourt offers a generous amount of water for up to three rods, with pools and long riffles, some broken up by islands, as flows drop back through the season.

The river holds good populations of wild brown trout and grayling alongside moderately stocked trout, with sea trout and salmon also present. Both salmon and sea trout move from salt into freshwater lies in the lower reaches from spring onwards, making later-season visits particularly interesting. Trout fishing runs from 3rd April to 15th October, upstream dry fly and nymph only, with natural imitation flies and a hook size no greater than 10. The hawthorn hatch arrives in late April, with the mayfly following from mid-May to early June — the beat's peak season pricing of £300 per day reflects this window. Summer brings a variety of caddis, olives and terrestrials to keep fish looking up well into autumn. Sight fishing over bright gravel beds, picking out trout with a dry fly or a traditional nymph pattern between waving tails of ranunculus, is the defining experience here. The beat is rated suitable for beginners, and the open banks and double-bank access make it a forgiving introduction to chalk stream fishing.

Up to a brace of 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. Wading is permitted in parts to give better access to rising fish. Day rods run from £220 in early and late season to £300 at peak, with fortnightly rod options available from £1,100. The famous Nissen Hut — a welcome retreat lined with photographs and trophies from visits by royalty, diplomats and film stars — serves as the shared fishing hut, with toilet facilities on site. Ghillying can be arranged with the riverkeeper, Jon Hall, who manages all three main river beats. Broadlands is around one hour fifteen minutes from London Waterloo by road or train to Southampton.