Houghton Lodge
River TestHoughton Lodge is a fishery on the River Test. Below are the 2 beats available for booking, with pricing and access details.
Still fishing for pictures…
Contribute picturesHoughton Lodge is a historic fishing lodge set above the River Test near Stockbridge in Hampshire, offering day-ticket fly fishing on two beats.
The Lower Beat covers approximately 350 yards of the main river, while the Upper Beat runs for around two thirds of a mile along a main carrier of the Test. Fishing is from the true right-hand bank. Both beats have a fishing hut for anglers' use. The Upper Beat is stocked with brown trout from local fisheries, and this area of the Test also holds a good head of wild brown trout and good-sized grayling.
The water is stocked with brown trout, and the estate encourages catch-and-release, asking all rods to fish with barbless hooks. The clear water, steady flow, and high levels of dissolved minerals create a unique ecosystem that sustains an abundance of invertebrates, making the Test a prime location for dry fly fishing.
Services & Amenities
Location
Exact location is hidden at the owner's request. This fishery is on the River Test.
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2 beats availableEach beat has its own access, pricing, and difficulty. Browse all beats on the River Test or compare on the River Test map .
Houghton Lodge – Upper Beat
Houghton Lodge Estate's Upper Beat runs for half a mile along a main carrier of the River Test, just upstream of the village of Houghton in the Test Valley, Hampshire. Houghton sits roughly 1.8 miles south-west of Stockbridge, placing this beat squarely in the middle Test valley. Fishing is from the true right-hand bank only, giving a clear, uncluttered approach to the water. The Test Valley water meadows surround the carrier, offering open views and good wildlife throughout the season. The beat is stocked with brown trout from local fisheries, and this area of the Test also holds a good head of wild brown trout and good-sized grayling. The season runs from 1 May to 15 October, and the hatch calendar rewards those who plan around it. May brings the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other upwinged species, while June sees blue-winged olives and medium olives come through in numbers. September sees the return of the large dark olive, and the final weeks of the season in October can produce aggressive feeding as trout put on condition before spawning. Upstream dry fly is the primary method, with upstream nymph a useful alternative on bright summer days when surface activity is limited. The beat is rated suitable for beginners — the well-maintained banks allow for easy wading and casting, and the carrier setting keeps the water at a manageable width and pace. A 9-ft rod for a 4- or 5-weight line covers most situations here. The estate encourages the release of fish, and all rods are asked to fish with barbless hooks or with barbs pressed down. A brace of stocked trout may be kept if you wish, but wild trout should be returned carefully, and all fish under 2 lb go back. A fishing hut is available on the beat for anglers' use. The beat is accessed via Houghton Lodge Gardens near Stockbridge, which is well signposted from the town.
Houghton Lodge – Lower Beat
Around 300 yards of main river Test at Houghton Lodge, just upstream of the village of Houghton in the Test Valley, Hampshire. The lower beat runs for approximately 350 yards on the main river channel, with fishing from the right-hand bank. The Test here is a classic middle-river chalk stream — crystal-clear, mineral-rich water with a steady flow and cool, stable temperatures — carrying good width and pace through open water meadow. The water is stocked with brown trout, and this area of the Test is also home to a good head of wild brown trout and good-sized grayling. The beat is rated suitable for beginners, making it a sound introduction to chalk stream technique without the pressure of more technical water. The season runs 1 May to 15 October, covering the full arc of the Test's best hatches: May sees the first mayfly hatch of the year, while June brings an abundance of Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives. September sees the return of the Large Dark Olive, with cooler weather and less sunlight improving the fishing. Both upstream dry fly and upstream nymph are permitted. The estate encourages the release of fish caught, and all rods are asked to fish with barbless hooks or with barbs pressed down. There is a fishing hut on the beat with chairs. Access is via Houghton Lodge Gardens, Houghton, Stockbridge, SO20 6LQ, which is well signposted from the town of Stockbridge. A single 9-ft rod in a 4- or 5-weight is ideal for the width of water here.
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