Hampshire Avon · Wiltshire
West Amesbury Fishery
Club members only Season 1 Apr to 15 Oct
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Club members only
Members can sign a guest in, so an introduction is the usual way on.
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Catch and release
Fish are returned to the water.
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Double bank
You can fish from both banks.
About West Amesbury Fishery
Two miles of the Hampshire Avon below Amesbury, seven miles north of Salisbury and two from Stonehenge, with double bank fishing over much of its length and single bank on the rest. This is the club’s best known game water and the one it has worked hardest on. A 500 metre section below Queensberry Bridge was restored with the Wild Trout Trust, the Environment Agency and the Game Conservancy, followed by further work below South Mill in 2010 and below Ham Hatches to Allenbury Bridge in 2011.
The result is a river that now carries thriving wild trout and grayling and very healthy invertebrate life, and the club has cut stocking right back on the strength of it. Most fish caught here are wild browns and grayling, and most members return them, though a stocked fish may still be taken. The stretch has real variety, from open meadow to wooded sections, deep pools and fast riffles.
The fly life is the reason to come. Mayfly hatches are spectacular, and summer evenings bring blue winged olive spinners in numbers worth sitting out for. The water opens on 1 April and runs to 15 October for trout, then reopens for grayling from 16 October to the end of December. Partial wading is allowed where marked.
How you can fish here
- Methods
- Fly Only
- Fly methods
- Dry Fly, Nymph
- Wading
- Wading allowed (moderate)
- Banks
- Double bank
How to book
Club and membership details
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Tuition · Beginners welcome · Day tickets · Membership
Club water. Fished by Salisbury & District Angling Club members.
View club details
Fishing details
- Difficulty
- Adventurer (3/5)
- Length
- 2 miles
- Water type
- Chalk stream
Rules and policies
Catch & release
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Season: 1 Apr to 15 Oct
Fishing rules for West Amesbury Fishery
Upstream dry fly only from 1 April to 30 June. Upstream dry fly and nymph from 1 July, to chalk stream etiquette. Grayling from 16 October to 31 December. Partial wading where indicated. No dogs. Adult members may bring one non-fishing companion; junior members may be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Members may buy guest day tickets.
Where you'll fish
Location
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
51.16995, -1.79270
Conditions on the Hampshire Avon
The river
Formed by two headwaters rising in the Vale of Pewsey, the Hampshire Avon merges near Upavon and flows south for 60 miles across Salisbury Plain, passing through Durrington, Amesbury and Salisbury…
View the Hampshire Avon guideFlies for this beat
Expected in November on the Hampshire Avon
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 Hampshire Avon
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
West Amesbury Fishery FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing West Amesbury Fishery, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on West Amesbury Fishery at any one time?
The rod limit for West Amesbury Fishery is listed on the beat page — check before booking, as limits vary by season and fishery preference.
02What species can I expect to catch on West Amesbury Fishery?
West Amesbury Fishery holds Brown Trout, Grayling. The beat is light-stocked to supplement the wild fish — see the Stocking section on the page for details.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Wading is permitted on West Amesbury Fishery and rated moderate difficulty, though bank fishing is also possible on most sections.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
No ghillie service is listed for West Amesbury Fishery — 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?
Club car parks at West Amesbury; the fishery runs between Queensberry Bridge and Allenbury Bridge. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.
06What tackle should I bring?
West Amesbury Fishery permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the West Amesbury Fishery 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 West Amesbury Fishery — 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 West Amesbury Fishery. 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 Hampshire Avon.
Worth a read
Club members only
Membership is the main route on
