Hampshire Avon Roach

[Christian Tyroll]

Good evening all

I would like to go for a days trotting on the Hampshire Avon with my dad at some point.

Please could someone be kind enough to recommend a day ticket stretch that has reasonable access for someone with creaky knees and somewhere that would make us feel like we'd come to hallowed ground?

I've only fished it once before and I went somewhere just outside Salisbury, I quite liked it but can't remember the name now.

I'd also be open to suggestions for chalk streams in that part of the country.

Thank you

 

[Steve Kenchington]

Good evening all

I would like to go for a days trotting on the Hampshire Avon with my dad at some point.

Please could someone be kind enough to recommend a day ticket stretch that has reasonable access for someone with creaky knees and somewhere that would make us feel like we'd come to hallowed ground?

I've only fished it once before and I went somewhere just outside Salisbury, I quite liked it but can't remember the name now.

I'd also be open to suggestions for chalk streams in that part of the country.

Thank you

Bisterne might be worth a look. Lovely looking stretch with some classic Avon looking swims. Not too far to walk to the river but doesn’t open to coarse rods until 1st of August. Details on the CAC website.

 

[Joe Winstanley]

Good evening all

I would like to go for a days trotting on the Hampshire Avon with my dad at some point.

Please could someone be kind enough to recommend a day ticket stretch that has reasonable access for someone with creaky knees and somewhere that would make us feel like we'd come to hallowed ground?

I've only fished it once before and I went somewhere just outside Salisbury, I quite liked it but can't remember the name now.

I'd also be open to suggestions for chalk streams in that part of the country.

Thank you

Britford?

 

[Christian Tyroll]

Bisterne might be worth a look. Lovely looking stretch with some classic Avon looking swims. Not too far to walk to the river but doesn’t open to coarse rods until 1st of August. Details on the CAC website.

Looks just the job, thank you mate.

 

[Christian Tyroll]

Britford?

That was it Joe, thank you. Must be 10 years since I went but it had a nice feel to it in the mid winter, I remember having a 4lb ish chub on bread and that being my only bite of the day.

 

[Graham Elliott]

Of course there are no day or guest tickets at Britford now.

 

[Christian Tyroll]

Of course there are no day or guest tickets at Britford now.

That's a shame, thanks for letting me know though. Saved me the embarrassment of trying to buy a ticket on the bank sometime

 

[Ralph Harris]

Good evening all

I would like to go for a days trotting on the Hampshire Avon with my dad at some point.

Please could someone be kind enough to recommend a day ticket stretch that has reasonable access for someone with creaky knees and somewhere that would make us feel like we'd come to hallowed ground?

I've only fished it once before and I went somewhere just outside Salisbury, I quite liked it but can't remember the name now.

I'd also be open to suggestions for chalk streams in that part of the country.

Thank you

Have a look at lower itchen fishery. Chalkstream just out of Southampton, you need to book ahead. I dare say the rules have changed a bit since I was a member but you could drive up the side of the river and park in several places, even dropping off your tackle at your chosen swim on the way. When I fished it the target fish would be grayling and chub. There are roach, carp and bream but not really enough to warrant specifically targeting and who wants to fish for the odd carp when grayling are available. Only open in the winter, good chance of a good grayling or nice chub.
If you are familiar with the speed of the Avon you will find the Itchen faster. Don’t worry, fish the fast bits that’s where the grayling are.

 

[John McGough]

Good evening all

I would like to go for a days trotting on the Hampshire Avon with my dad at some point.

Please could someone be kind enough to recommend a day ticket stretch that has reasonable access for someone with creaky knees and somewhere that would make us feel like we'd come to hallowed ground?

I've only fished it once before and I went somewhere just outside Salisbury, I quite liked it but can't remember the name now.

I'd also be open to suggestions for chalk streams in that part of the country.

Thank you

Your best day ticket stretch for roach on the Avon would be Fordingbridge park.
Easy access with parking behind you.

 

[Christian Tyroll]

Thank you John

 

[Christian Tyroll]

Have a look at lower itchen fishery. Chalkstream just out of Southampton, you need to book ahead. I dare say the rules have changed a bit since I was a member but you could drive up the side of the river and park in several places, even dropping off your tackle at your chosen swim on the way. When I fished it the target fish would be grayling and chub. There are roach, carp and bream but not really enough to warrant specifically targeting and who wants to fish for the odd carp when grayling are available. Only open in the winter, good chance of a good grayling or nice chub.
If you are familiar with the speed of the Avon you will find the Itchen faster. Don’t worry, fish the fast bits that’s where the grayling are.

Cheers Ralph, I'll take a look.

 

[Neil Maidment]

Christian - The LIF (lower beat only) is only open for pre-booked day tickets from mid October. Used to fish it a lot but not since Covid. It's a typical southern chalkstream salmon & trout fishery that has, for a long time, been a superb mixed fishery. A bit pricey at almost £30 (probably increased now).

Fordingbridge Park, downstream of the main town bridge (excluding the area directly down from the bridge - kids playground) is an excellent asset open to all. Day tickets from the Kiosk in the park or local shop or garage at £5 or £2.50 for OAPs! But far better in winter. Walked it last week, several anglers, the occasional chub. Plenty of free parking, short walk and about 10 swims. However, summertime (last week!) plenty of kids, dog walkers, bikini clad SUPs and inflatable "boats" in evidence!

 

[Brian Penfold]

A bunch of us fish the Lower Itchen Fishery every year when it opens for coarse rods. It was £31.25 last year. Never caught so many grayling in a single session before! I’ve fished the Itchen below LIF since I was about 10! My largest roach from LIF was 3lb 4oz below the lower weir in 2019. No skill - first cast on double maggot! Last time we fished there one of the group, Gavin, chucked a maggot feeder out just below the weir at last knocking - 4lb hook length on a 14 barbless hook - hoping for a roach and caught this wonderful 14lb 1oz barbel!