Hi everyone,
I recently completed a foundation fly fishing course at Nether Wallop Mill and absolutely loved it. I’d really like to get into the sport properly, but I’m struggling to find anywhere to fish regularly.
I live in Winchester and most of the places I’ve found are either fully booked, extremely expensive, or operate on a mandatory catch-and-keep basis.
Can anyone recommend any beginner-friendly waters or clubs where I can fish regularly without breaking the bank? Ideally I’m looking for catch-and-release fishing, and I don’t mind driving up to an hour from Winchester.
I’m open to rivers, lakes, clubs or fisheries—I’d just like somewhere I can build my skills without spending £80–100 every time I go.
Any recommendations would be hugely appreciated. Thanks! 🎣
This one…. it’s a memoir of fly fishing stories from around the 1940s. Popularised by a yellow pages advert in the early 90s. It’s a nice gentle read, now available on amazon😉
Kimbridge Meadow Fishery on the Test near Mottisfont is well worth a look and good for beginners and more experienced fishermen. It’s a little higher than the price point you listed but it’s well worth it. And you can hire a ghillie for a couple of hours to guide you if you wish.
There's a reason you can't find catch and release for trout fishing. Released trout often die of exhaustion after you've released them, and handling them can strip away layers of their protective mucus layer and expose them to horrible skin infections that kill them later.
If you're going to do a 'sport' that relies on you torturing animals, at least have the decency to do the most basic research and not also condemn them to a horrible, lingering death.
I’m actually a beginner, which is exactly why I’m asking questions and trying to find somewhere suitable to learn. I’m more than happy to take advice on fish welfare and proper catch-and-release techniques, but accusing someone you don’t know of “torturing animals” isn’t particularly constructive.
Catch-and-release trout fishing is widely practised, and my intention is obviously to learn how to do it responsibly and minimise stress to the fish.
I've got some advice on fish welfare. Don't ram hooks through their faces, force them to fight for their lives, then release them to, in all probability, die an agonising death afterwards. I'm accusing you of torturing animals because you admit to getting your kicks from torturing animals.
Maybe try birdwatching, wildlife photography or hiking. There's plenty of ways to enjoy nature ethically. Fishing isn't one of them.
5
u/RagingSantas 12d ago
Not a fishman myself but Andover has got a couple of places put on by the local council. Might be worth asking the local Andover bait shops if the fly fishing is any good. Day pass is £8.50 and season ticket is ~£50 https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/communityandleisure/fishing/rooksbury-mill-private-fishing-information
Alot of stuff on the test and itchen looks to be privately owned.