Dun Beat

River Dun

Dunbridge

A third of a mile of single-bank dry fly water on the lower River Dun, the Dunbridge beat sits just upstream of the hamlet of Dunbridge in Hampshire's Test Valley, a short distance before the river joins the Test near Kimbridge. The Dun runs for around 11 miles in a generally easterly direction through rural parts of Wiltshire and Hampshire, and is smaller and less prolific than other rivers in Hampshire, but can be quieter during busy periods — a genuine advantage on a beat limited to one or two rods. The water here has classic chalk stream character: a long glide of relatively shallow water upstream of a footbridge, and a deep pool midway up where the river takes a left turn. From the car park, it is a walk of around 100 metres through a meadow to reach the river. A survey of all the Test's tributaries reportedly found that the Dun holds the highest numbers of wild trout of any of them, and the Dunbridge beat carries moderate stocking alongside that wild population. Brown trout and grayling are both present. Like the Itchen, the Dun is home to protected species including the great crested newt, so the environment is carefully managed. The season runs 1 May to 30 September, covering the full chalk stream hatch calendar. The hawthorn hatch falls in late April, with the mayfly running from mid-May to early June — the latter priced at £395 per rod. Medium olive and blue-winged olive hatches carry the fishing through summer, with dry fly the primary method throughout; nymphing is also permitted. The intimate scale and clear water make accurate presentation essential, and the beat is rated as adventurer difficulty. A 9ft 4–5wt rod with a fine tippet suits the conditions. Day rods are priced from £225 (early season) to £275 (main season). The fishing hut is sited near the top of the beat and is well appointed, with WC and car parking on site. The hamlet is served by Mottisfont & Dunbridge station on the Wessex Main Line, making this one of the more accessible chalk stream beats in Hampshire for car-free anglers.

Holbury Beat

Holbury Beat covers about two thirds of a mile of the River Dun in , 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. 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. also sells a combined ticket covering its lakes and the river, for anglers who want both in a day.