Dun Beat

Dun Beat is the Mottisfont Abbey estate water on the River Dun, a tributary of the River Test in Hampshire, running about 0.45 mile. It is a smaller and more intimate stream than the Test beats, and it carries some of the best fly life anywhere on the estate.

The beat divides into two. The lower half is slow moving, with long sweeping glides where the river turns through the deciduous woodland of Bitterne Grove, and this is usually where the larger fish sit. The upper section runs through meadows and is much narrower, with thick marginal growth on both banks. Both halves have fairly high banks, which makes spotting easier but leaves you visible to the fish. Much of the beat can be waded, though depths vary, so it is worth deciding whether a cast from the bank will do before you get in.

The water is unstocked and catch and release, and holds Brown Trout, Grayling. Fishing is upstream dry fly and nymph from 1 April to 30 September. Mayfly is exceptional, and in June the evening hatches of blue-winged olive can be the best of the season. The fish are small and easily spooked, so a light outfit and some patience pay off. A 7ft 2 or 3 weight is the fun choice, an 8ft 6in 5 weight the safer one. There is a small hut for shelter, but lunch is taken back at the Oakley hut. Day tickets start at £270 and cover all three Mottisfont beats.