Wild Trout Fishing on the River Test

Wild trout fishing means no stockie in the net, just fish that hatched and grew in the river: browns and grayling that have earned their spots and their caution. These beats never see a stocking bucket. Expect fewer fish and smaller averages, which is exactly why some anglers prefer it.

8 beats match. Use the filters below to refine by price or availability, or switch to the map view to see locations.

8 beats on the River Test

Chilbolton Fishing Beat
From £55
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Chilbolton Fishing Beat

A 280-metre stretch of the main River Test adjacent to Chilbolton Common in Hampshire, this single-bank beat offers one or two rods a private day on one of England's most significant chalk streams. The beat has two mid-stream islands, which break the flow into varied current seams, slacker inside bends, and defined lies that reward careful reading before the first cast. During the winter of 2021, the Wessex Rivers Trust carried out extensive bank improvements resulting in better access and a more sinuous river profile. The beat is reached via an 800-metre walk across the flat, open common and is fished from the left bank only; no wading is permitted. The fishing is for brown trout and grayling on upstream dry fly and nymph only. April brings Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis, and Hawthorn to the surface, while mayfly can be expected from mid-May to June — the most productive fortnight of the chalk stream calendar. The latter half of the season is largely dominated by hatches of various caddis flies, with olives and terrestrials filling the gaps through summer. The beat is rated beginner-friendly — open banks and readable water make it a sound introduction to chalk stream technique. All grayling must be returned, as must all trout under 12 inches. The season runs 31 March to 30 October. Day tickets are priced at £175 for a single rod and £330 for two rods during the main trout season; grayling-only days are available at £55. On site there is a rustic fishing hut with tables and chairs, a BBQ, and a selection of wellies and hire tackle, along with a fishing jetty, an outside fishing table, and a composting toilet — everything needed for a full day without leaving the water.

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Wallop Brook
From £328
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Wallop Brook

Two miles of double-bank chalk stream running from its confluence with the River Test up to the village of Broughton, the Wallop Brook is a Hampshire tributary of the middle Test managed by Bossington Estate Fly Fishery, near Houghton. The beat divides into two distinct sections: the lower part flows through riparian woodland, while the upstream reach opens out across traditional ridge and furrow water meadows. The brook is narrow and intimate — a different proposition to the manicured main-river beats — and fishes like any true chalk stream, rewarding patience and stealth. The Wallop Brook is wild trout fishing with no stocking and all catch and release. Good olive hatches occur most days, and the trout, while willing to look up, sit deep and take the dry fly quickly — be prepared to miss a few. April brings Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis and Hawthorn, while May sees the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other upwings — the mayfly period carries a £398 day rod rate, reflecting the quality of sport on offer. June brings Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives, with the season running through to 31 August. The wooded lower section demands a compact casting stroke and a careful approach; a short brook rod in the 7–8 ft range suits the tighter lies. Up to 12 rods fish the brook at £328 per rod for most of the season. GAIA and AAPGAI-qualified instructors are available for one-to-one or group tuition covering fly-fishing fieldcraft and casting, making this a practical option for anglers new to wild-fish chalk stream technique. A good supply of high-quality tackle, clothing, sunglasses and flies is available to hire, and the beat has a fishing hut and toilet facilities on site. Catering and picnic hampers can be arranged, and the estate regularly hosts corporate days with full catering.

tributary2 miles+3

Beat Three - Wherwell Estate

Beat Three sits on one of the smaller carrier streams of the Wherwell Estate Fishing on the upper River Test in Hampshire, covering approximately 0.34 miles (540 metres) of chalk stream water. The beat runs at the intersection of two River Test carriers, meandering from open water meadow towards the thatched cottages on the edge of the village of Wherwell. The carriers here are characterised by tree-lined pools and gravel runs — intimate, readable water that suits an angler still building their chalk stream experience. The river holds good populations of wild brown trout and grayling alongside stocked fish. Rods may keep a brace of stocked trout, but wild trout should be returned carefully. Dry fly and small upstream nymphs are the methods here, and the carrier setting — manageable widths, clear chalk-filtered water — makes it well suited to beginners learning to read rising fish. From the season opener on 1 May, expect hatches of medium olives and iron blue duns, with the mayfly event typically beginning in the latter half of the third week of May and running into early June. Trout fishing runs through to mid-October, after which grayling fishing takes over through to mid-March. A day rod for trout beats costs £218 (2026); grayling days from 1 November are priced at £85. Each beat is serviced by its own fishing hut, and the estate also provides a lakeside fishing hut with kitchen facilities. Electronic gates control access to the fishery, and a catch returns folder is kept on the beat to support the estate's fish management. Wherwell Estate is within easy reach of London and the wider south of England, whether travelling by road or rail. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required.

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The Lower beat

The Lower Beat sits on the upper River Test just downstream of the village of Wherwell, forming part of the Testcombe fishery in Hampshire. The beat runs for a little over 750 metres of main river, with all fishing from the true right-hand bank along a well-maintained path. In several places, wooden walkways help anglers reach past mature reed beds to target fish that would otherwise be out of sight. The water character shifts through the beat — the lower section is shallower and faster, fishing particularly well through the summer months. Brown trout and grayling are the target species, with dry fly and nymph the permitted methods. The beat was once the chosen fishing spot of King George VI, and the water still carries that reputation for quality sight-fishing. May brings the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other up-winged flies, with June seeing an abundance of blue-winged olives and medium olives. The latter half of the season is dominated by sedge hatches, with fish becoming aggressive to a well-presented imitation in the afternoon shadows. The beat is rated as adventurer difficulty — some sections are open for back casts, while others, often right where the best fish hold, are more overgrown and demand precise presentation. The season runs 31 March to 14 October, bank fishing only. A 9-ft 5-weight is the standard choice for the main river; a shorter rod suits the carrier sections, where tree cover on one bank makes tight casting the order of the day. A small wooden fishing shelter set back from the river in a quiet copse provides a base for the day. The beat is reachable in around an hour and fifteen minutes from London Waterloo to Andover by train.

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Nursling Mill Trout Beat

Nursling Mill Trout Beat sits on the lower River Test in Hampshire, running double-bank on the main river from the Broadlands Estate boundary downstream past Nursling Mill. By this point the Test has grown into a substantial river — too wide to cast across in places — having gathered the Wallop Brook and the River Dun before finally consolidating into a single channel south of Romsey. A large mill pool, several hatch pools, groynes, bends and deeper holes give the water real variety, and the broad, steady flow suits upstream dry fly and upstream nymph fishing from the bank throughout the season. The beat regularly produces very large brown trout that run downstream toward the estuary, and the mayfly hatches here are exceptional — dense enough to bring even the most cautious fish up confidently, making this one of the more accessible stretches of Test trout fishing for anglers still building their chalk stream experience. Occasional Atlantic salmon move through, and sea trout are also a genuine possibility on this tidal-influenced lower beat. The River Test is fished for trout from its source right down to the tidal limit, and Nursling sits close to that boundary, giving the water a character quite different from the narrower upper beats. Rods fish from the bank only — no wading — on a beat that suits a single-handed 9 ft rod and a selection of mayfly dressings, CDC emergers and upstream nymphs. The fishery is served by a well-appointed hut with catering facilities, and the Nursling Mill Trout Beat also provides a BBQ and private car park, making it a practical full-day destination. Access is straightforward and the beat is well suited to anglers new to chalk stream fishing.

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Testwood Beat

Sitting on the lower reaches of the River Test in Hampshire, the Testwood Beat occupies the final section of the river before it enters the sea — a stretch of main-river chalk stream that fishes very differently from the intimate upper Test. The water divides into three beats prior to flowing into the sea, offering a variety of challenges across both tidal and non-tidal water. The fishery and surrounding land form part of a private estate owned by the Barker-Mill family since 1527, and the beat carries that sense of long, unbroken history. The jewel of the beat is Testwood Pool, a deep, well-defined lie that concentrates fish and gives the water its character. The Testwood Beat targets brown trout on upstream dry fly and nymph, but its real distinction is the migratory fishing. Before the Test spills into the Solent, double-figure salmon and sea trout are caught here regularly, and sea trout fight hard and frequently reach double figures. Both species move from salt into freshwater lies in the river's lower reaches from spring onwards, with sea trout fishing typically pursued after dark. The beat is rated as beginner-friendly, making it a practical first chalk stream experience, and fishes three rods per day. The beat is served by a mill-house offering comfortable members' facilities, sleeping cabins for night sea trout anglers, catering facilities, and two riverside huts — a well-equipped setup that suits both day visits and overnight stays. B&B is available with a bed in the sea trout cabin and a full English breakfast in the Mill House overlooking the river, a practical arrangement for anyone planning a dusk-to-dawn session on the pool. A single-handed 9 ft 5-weight covers the dry fly and nymph fishing; bring a heavier outfit if sea trout are the target.

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The Greyhound Beat

A double-bank beat on the River Test in Hampshire, the Greyhound Beat offers up to two rods a day's upstream dry fly and nymph fishing on one of England's most celebrated chalk streams. The Test meanders gracefully through the gentle gradient of the Test Valley, running smooth and clear enough to spot fish holding over gravel in water between one and three feet deep. That visibility is central to the experience here: you're hunting individual brown and rainbow trout, reading their position and rise form before presenting a fly. The trout season runs from April to early 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. September sees the return of the Large Dark Olive, with cooler weather and reduced sunlight improving conditions through to the end of the season. On bright summer days when nothing is rising, upstream nymph fishing comes into its own — and this beat permits both methods, making it well suited to beginners learning to read chalk stream water. A healthy population of freshwater shrimp means larger fish are often taken on a shrimp imitation fished close to the bottom. A single 9-ft 4- or 5-weight rod covers most situations. The beat is rated beginner-friendly, with double-bank access giving plenty of room to find a comfortable casting position. Between sessions, Lucy's fishing hut provides a proper base — refrigerator, coffee machine, kettle, BBQ, and fire pit — alongside a private riverside patio. It's a practical, well-equipped day out on a river that rewards careful observation and a well-placed fly.

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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.

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4 fisheries on the River Test

Bossington Estate
From £180
1 beat
Verified

Bossington Estate

Sitting on the middle River Test, south of Houghton near Stockbridge, Bossington Estate lies in a catchment well known as the birthplace of dry fly fishing — it was on the banks of the River Test that Frederick Halford honed the ground-breaking thoughts that effectively invented modern dry fly fishing in the late 1800s. The fishery offers seven beats across the estate: six on the main river — Rushams, Home, Old Stews, Home Stream, House, and Old Station — plus two miles of the Wallop Brook, a lively tributary of the Test. The river beats each have their own individuality, with deep pools, riffled water and gravel beds, while the Wallop Brook fishes like a true chalk stream, rewarding patience and stealth. The iconic Home Beat is the most famous of all Bossington beats, where a Victorian thatched fishing hut offers magnificent views downstream. Every beat has its own fishing hut, and a secluded self-catering hut serves Horsebridge Lake, a spring-fed still water stocked with rainbow trout. Day tickets are available on all beats, and the estate provides GAIA and AAPGAI-qualified instructors for one-to-one or group tuition covering fly-fishing fieldcraft and casting. Equipment hire covers rods, tackle, clothing and flies, and corporate days with full catering and picnic hampers can be arranged through the estate office.

Day ticketsTuition+1
Chilbolton Fishery
From £55
1 beat
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Chilbolton Fishery

A private, secluded 280-metre stretch of the main River Test, Chilbolton Fishery sits beside Chilbolton Cow Common in the Test Valley, Hampshire, at the point where the rivers Dever and Anton join the Test. This family-owned fishery is not run as a commercial enterprise; the ethos is to enjoy a day on the River Test with the knowledge that when you book, you have the whole place to yourself. The single beat has two islands, a comfortable rustic fishing hut, and numerous seats and jetties. During the winter of 2021, the Wessex River Trust carried out extensive bank improvements resulting in better access and a more sinuous river profile. Anglers fish for brown trout and grayling under a strict upstream dry fly and nymph-only rule, with no wading permitted. The beat offers variation — slower stretches suited to dry fly work and faster runs ideal for nymphing. Day tickets are available, and a selection of tackle is available to hire on site. All grayling must be returned, trout under 12 inches returned, and the brown trout limit is five fish per day. For visiting fly fishers who want a quiet, unpressured day on a genuine Hampshire chalk stream, Chilbolton Fishing delivers exactly that.

Day ticketsEquipment hire
From £85
1 beat

Wherwell Estate Fishing

Wherwell Estate Fishing sits on the upper River Test in Hampshire, within northwest Hampshire's rolling chalkland, owned and cared for by the same family for over 100 years. The fishery covers around three miles of river across open water meadows, with beats typically comprising carrier streams alongside tree-lined pools and gravel runs. Seven numbered beats are available — Beats Nine, Ten and Eleven fish the main river, while Beats Three, Four, Five and Seven cover the smaller carriers. Located on the upper Test, the river width is manageable for casting, with the majority of fishing done by overhead cast. The river holds good populations of wild brown trout and grayling alongside stocked fish. Trout fishing runs from the start of May through mid-October, with grayling fishing from mid-October through to mid-March. Day tickets and membership are both available. Each beat has its own fishing hut, suitable for a group to take lunch, and the estate also provides a lakeside fishing hut with a kitchen, catch returns folders, and electronic gates. A secluded lake stocked with rainbow trout accommodates up to six rods per day and is open for year-round booking, offering an alternative for groups or families alongside the river beats.

Day tickets
1 beat

Testcombe Beat

Sitting on the River Test between the Mayfly Pub bridge and the village of Chilbolton, Testcombe Beat is a well-established fly fishing fishery in Hampshire offering three named beats — the Upper Beat, the Home Beat, and the Lower Beat. The fishery covers approximately 900 yards of main river and around 1,000 yards of carrier streams, giving anglers a genuine variety of water to work through in a single day. The chalk stream fishing suits all abilities, with the wide main river and more intimate carriers offering deep holes, overhangs, and shallow glides — the kind of mixed character that rewards both methodical dry fly presentation and careful nymph work. Native brown trout are the primary quarry from April through to the end of October, with the annual mayfly hatch drawing particular attention during that period. Day tickets, guided lessons, and equipment hire are all available, making Testcombe a practical choice for first-timers and returning chalk stream anglers alike. The Grade II listed fishing hut, built in 1888, serves as the day's headquarters and also functions as a venue for exclusive private events.

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