River Test · Hampshire
The Little River Beat
Up to 2 rods
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Day tickets
Buy a ticket for a single day, with rates and dates further down.
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Beginner level
Rated 1 out of 5 for difficulty.
About The Little River Beat
A chalk stream main river beat on the Hampshire Test, the Little River Beat offers up to two rods a day's fly-only fishing on one of England's most historically significant rivers. The Test is generally regarded as the birthplace of modern fly fishing, and this beat puts you on the main channel in the classic Test Valley setting — clear, steady water over gravel, with the visibility to spot and stalk individual fish.
The Test is fly fished for brown trout, sea trout, and coarse fish, and this beat holds all three. The trout fly fishing season runs from early April to late October. The hawthorn hatch arrives in late April, the mayfly from mid-May to early June, and summer brings a variety of caddis, olives, and terrestrials. June sees blue-winged olives and medium olives hatching in numbers, while September brings the return of the large dark olive, with cooler weather and less sunlight improving conditions. Both dry fly and nymph are permitted — nymph fishing proves particularly useful on bright days when nothing is rising. The beat is graded for beginners, making it a sound choice for anglers new to chalk stream fishing who want to learn on forgiving, readable water without the pressure of a more technical stretch.
The beat is limited to two rods, keeping the water uncrowded. Between sessions, the Drawing Pool Lodge provides a comfortable base with a kitchenette with running water and electricity, a BBQ, and WC — everything needed for a full day on the bank. The River Test is around an hour and twenty minutes from London by road or train, making this an accessible day trip from the capital or a natural anchor for a longer Hampshire visit.
How you can fish here
- Methods
- Fly Only
- Fly methods
- Dry Fly, Nymph
How to book
Day tickets and booking
- Upstream Dry Fly Day tickets
Tuition · Beginners welcome · Day tickets · Group bookings
View fishing agent
Fishing details
- Rods
- Up to 2
- Difficulty
- Beginner (1/5)
- Water type
- Main river
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Catch & release
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Amenities
Drawing Pool Lodge BBQ WC Kitchenette with running water and electricity
Where you'll fish
Location
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
50.92552, -1.47714
Conditions on the River Test
The river
Rising at Ashe, near Overton, the River Test runs for 40 miles through Hampshire, flowing south through Whitchurch, Longparish, and Wherwell before the Rivers Dever and Anton join the main channel…
View the River Test guideFlies for this beat
Expected in November on the River Test
Typical months from the river’s hatch calendar, which applies along its whole length rather than to this beat. Not a live report.
We get a small commission if you buy through these links, and it costs you nothing extra. If the calendar has been useful and you feel like supporting an independent site, buying your flies this way is an easy way to do it.
Similar beats on the River Test
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, fishing details, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.
FAQ
The Little River Beat FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing The Little River Beat, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on The Little River Beat at any one time?
The Little River Beat allows a maximum of 2 rods at any one time.
02What species can I expect to catch on The Little River Beat?
The Little River Beat holds Bass, Coarse Fish, Brown Trout, Sea Trout. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Wading arrangements for The Little River Beat are listed on the beat page — contact the provider if you need to confirm before arriving.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
No ghillie service is listed for The Little River Beat — 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 The Little River 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?
The Little River Beat permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the The Little River 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 The Little River Beat — 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 not listed as permitted on The Little River Beat. Check the Beat Rules section on the page or contact the provider before bringing a dog, as policies can vary by season and stretch of the River Test.
Worth a read
Price on application
Ask when you book
