Where is the Best Fly Fishing in the UK?
England has 85% of the world’s chalk streams, many of which are found in Hampshire.
The Avon is known to have the most species of fish than any other river in the UK.
I always smile to myself when someone asks me, or any angler, for that matter, where is the best fly fishing in the UK? Because I doubt you'll ever get one answer.
Scotland deservedly will come up, as will Hampshire's River Test and River Itchen. And I should probably declare my own bias very early on, because my answer is undoubtedly the Hampshire Avon.
As the owner of Undercastle Cottage with 2,500m of private fishing rights on that very same river running along the bottom of the garden, it's no wonder I love fishing. I've watched this river in every season, seen it flow slowly by on a hot summer's day, and sweep fast and full after a downfall of rain, and somehow still stay beautifully clear. I can honestly say I never tire of watching both the river and its wildlife above and below the waterline; it changes every day.
My love for the Hampshire Avon isn't only because it flows past my garden. It's a celebrated, famous and extraordinary river in British fishing history.
Why is Hampshire so famous for fly fishing?
When you start researching fly fishing rivers in the UK and England’s’ most beautiful fishing spots, you'll come across Hampshire's chalk streams. The Test and Itchen are well known because southern England's chalk streams have clear, mineral-rich water, stable temperatures, and vibrant aquatic life that trout love.
Fishing the Hampshire Avon is different. It's often described as a chalk stream, but technically it isn't. Its two headwaters are different in that the East Avon comes from chalk and the West Avon from greensand. Its water clarity rivals the better-known chalk streams, and the specialist fly-fishing operator Aardvark McLeod describes the Avon as having some of the best fly hatches in southern England.
Long before social media showed us videos on how to do everything, fly fishers learnt the old-fashioned way - standing in the rivers, watching the water, insects and fish behaviour and learning from mistakes. That was me - and by god, I made some daft mistakes and learnt an awful lot of lessons the hard way. Frustrating as it was to make those mistakes, it stood me in good stead.
My time at the cottage is always total relaxation, with talking sprinkled with laughter and, occasionally, remembering that I'm supposed to be watching my rod while I'm fishing!
So, is the Hampshire Avon the best fly fishing river in the UK?
I'm so sorry to give you even what I would consider an annoying answer, because it depends on what you mean by “best”.
If your dream is wild Scottish salmon fishing beneath mountains, Hampshire probably isn't going to cut it - although the scenery here is beautiful, there just aren't any mountains.
But if you're looking for one of Britain's most historic and best rivers, with fantastic fly fishing, beautiful surroundings and a huge variety of fish, in my opinion (and others will agree), the Hampshire Avon wins hands down.
And it's not just a fly-fishing river. It winds its way south from Wiltshire, through Salisbury and towards Fordingbridge, Ringwood and eventually Christchurch Harbour. Brown trout and grayling are abundant, and as the river heads downstream towards Undercastle Cottage, the river welcomes happy coarse anglers with open arms for enormous barbel, chub and roach. Salmon also run the river successfully. See more about fishing at Undercastle Cottage.
Fishing the Hampshire Avon in the New Forest
One of the reasons I bought Undercastle Cottage was its location near Fordingbridge. It’s deep in the woods for total privacy, on the banks of the Hampshire Avon, where the river runs along the western edge of the New Forest National Park.
And this is the bit where I really am allowed to be biased. The cottage is a holiday home I rent out, and guests staying at Undercastle have 2,500 metres of private fishing rights. There's a wonderful mix for fishermen to explore, including fast glides, deeper pools, reeds, rushes, and natural undercuts. There's also a rowboat to paddle up and downstream. Once here, there's no packing the car in the morning and driving to a fishery. You can make a cup of tea, pick up your rod and toddle past the sun terrace down to the river, which takes all of 1 minute.
Quite often, I find only one or two people staying at the cottage are really keen anglers. I know from my own experience looking for somewhere to stay and fish that a lot of fishing cottages mean everyone else’s holiday revolves around fishing, or that you just don’t see much of your friends and family who want to go off for the day with a rod in hand.
So, when I opened the doors of my cottage, I wanted to make sure it worked just as well for the non-fishing guests too. Here, the fishermen can be down at the bottom of the garden on the river having an amazing time, while everyone else is only metres away on the sofa or on the sun terrace. You can still chat, have a drink together, take in the views and watch the New Forest free-roaming ponies, donkeys and wildlife go about their day. Nobody has to disappear.
Can beginners go fly fishing on the Hampshire Avon?
This is something I'm particularly keen on. You don't have to turn up at Undercastle with expensive fishing gear and decades of experience. On saying that - a lot of people do.
If you've always fancied trying fly fishing but wouldn't have the faintest idea where to begin, I can arrange private fishing tuition during your stay. Tuition can be for complete beginners as well as experienced anglers who want to hone their skills.
Fly or coarse fishing tuition can be one-to-one or more with a local angler who has lived and fished this river all his life and is someone I consider a true expert. I will supply the bait and organise licences for you.
And you know, there's something really special about learning on a river like this. It's not just fun; it's fulfilling, satisfying, and I watch guests go home completely 'hooked' - pardon the pun!
Fishing with some rather nosy spectators
Of course, the fish aren't the only wildlife along this stretch of the Avon.
Kingfishers are all around, as are swans, colourful ducks, egrets, and ospreys; in fact, there are many feathered friends on the river and exciting birds of prey above, including Britain's largest bird, the gigantic white-tailed eagles, who hunt in the Avon Valley. Add in donkeys, deer and ponies around the cottage as well as foxes and hares on the water meadows opposite. You can watch badgers late at night in the Nature Hide and, if you're quiet, otters come and splash about in competition for the best catch of the day.
When can you fish at Undercastle Cottage?
What you can fish for depends on the season, conditions and regulations. In England, coarse fishing runs from 16 June to 14 March, while salmon and trout fishing is permitted from 1 April to 30 September. There is no fishing between 15 March and 1 April.
If fishing is an important part of your holiday, it's always worth checking what will be in season for the dates you're considering rather than just booking and hoping for the best. By all means, drop me an email at info@undercastlecottage.co.uk if you have any particular questions, and I'll get you the answer.
Is a Hampshire Avon fishing holiday just for serious anglers?
Definitely not. As I've already mentioned, I think some of the nicest Undercastle fishing holidays are probably the ones where fishing is just a part of it. You might get up early and spend a couple of hours beside the river before breakfast, and then another go in the evening. I'd urge you to book some private tuition if you've always wondered whether you'd enjoy it. Or bring someone who is completely obsessed with fishing and wave them off towards the river while you kick back, relax with something nice to drink, and watch the wildlife.
This probably sums a holiday at Undercastle Cottage better than I can. A guest recently emailed me after getting home:
Hi Shabs, We have all had a gloriously splendid time at the cottage. Fantastic fishing - Joe landed a huge barbel yesterday evening. Birding just keeps improving, with osprey hunting over the river the past two days and a regular great white egret flying past the cottage at just after 6am each morning. Plus firecrest, hawfinch and marsh tit in the garden! Could not have hoped for better. We only put the new TV on for a few minutes the first night - have not used since then; you don't really need a TV when the nature is this good. We definitely hope to return in the future and will recommend the cottage to fishing & birding acquaintances.
Where would I choose for a fly fishing holiday in the UK?
Well, obviously I’m going to say the Hampshire Avon. Not because I can prove that it is categorically “better” than the Test, the Itchen, a Welsh river or a remote Scottish beat. Fishing doesn't really work like that. I'd choose it because of the combination.
Its history with fishing. Its abundance and variety of fish, its wildlife, and its character. The famous anglers who learnt from it. The fact that you can fly fish for trout and salmon, but that the same river is also a joy to coarse anglers. And because even on a day when the fish refuse to play ball, it's still an utterly beautiful place to spend a few hours.
So, the answer to this last question is this… the best fishing holiday isn't necessarily one where absolutely everything revolves around fishing.
Undercastle sleeps six, is dog-friendly, and besides being on the banks of the best fly-fishing river in the UK, it's a 5-Star Gold Award-winning cottage filled with antiques, big comfy sofas, handmade mattresses and a log burner, surrounded by woodland in the New Forest.
