Tanyard's Beat

Tanyard's Beat sits on the lower River Test, just downstream of Romsey in Hampshire, forming part of the Broadlands Estate's 4.5-kilometre stretch of chalk stream. At just over half a mile of main river, the beat offers a variety of water (from deep bends and wide straights to gentle runs where fish are regularly feeding). As the season progresses and flows drop back, the beat settles into lovely pools and long riffles, and wading is permitted in parts to give better access to rising trout.

The season runs 2 April to 14 October and targets brown trout, rainbow trout, and wild trout on a fly-only basis with upstream dry fly and nymph. Early season on the lower Test can mean a big, fast river, more akin to a salmon river than the sedate upper valley, with nymphing the favoured approach, though hatches of large dark olives, grannom, iron blue dun, and hawthorn can bring fish up to the surface. The beat is blessed with a reliable mayfly hatch; being this far down the valley, it 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, reflected in the Mayfly Season day-rod rate of £300. The fish population includes both wild and stocked trout, with an average size of around 1 to 2 lb and larger specimens available in the deeper pools. The beat is rated suitable for beginners, making it a practical introduction to chalk stream fishing without sacrificing quality water.

Up to three rods can fish the beat at once. Rules require upstream dry fly and nymph only, with natural imitation patterns and a maximum hook size of 10. Day-rod prices run from £220 in the early and late season to £250 through the main season. A fishing hut and toilets are on site. The estate is around an hour and fifteen minutes from London Waterloo by train to Southampton, making it a straightforward day trip from the capital.