Wallop Brook

Rising near Over Wallop — a name rooted in the Old English for "valley of springing water" — the Wallop Brook runs south through the three villages of Over Wallop, Middle Wallop and Nether Wallop before joining the River Test just upstream from Bossington Manor House. Among the five Test tributaries generally considered fishable, the Wallop Brook is probably the smallest and shortest, covering around eight miles of Hampshire chalk country. The water meanders through traditional ridge and furrow water meadows in a mixture of fast riffles and deep sweeping pools.

The brook is full of fin-perfect wild trout and suits the more experienced fly fisher who wants to target wild browns in their natural environment. Olive hatches occur most days, and the fish are always looking up but sit deep and take the dry fly very quickly — be prepared to miss a few. The Wallop Brook fishes like any true chalk stream, rewarding patience and stealth, and has a loyal following of anglers who prefer it to the more manicured beats of the main River Test. The brook fishes well in early season, with the season running from April through to August, subject to water levels.

Bossington Estate's fishery includes two miles of the Wallop Brook, which is entirely unstocked. The beat offers over two miles of stream for one or two rods, with all fish caught and released, and wading required. Nether Wallop Mill has hosted a fishing school for over 50 years, and a section of the brook there provides access to canny wild brown trout for anglers developing more advanced techniques.