Grayling & Trout From The Test

FISHINGmagic members Dave Cooper, Mike Fidler and myself decided on a day on the River Test in Hampshire after the grayling and chub that inhabit the crystal clear currents of this most famous Hampshire chalk stream.

The day started out very foggy and with quite a mild air temperature, although the water temp was still very low from the 10 days of prolonged, hard frosts that the area has suffered.

The sun burnt off the fog and we were left with very bright skies and clear water, not my ideal choice of fish-catching conditions, but we struggled on regardless.

We all caught fish to various methods, alternating between trotted breadflake or crust, feeder-fished breadflake or feeder-fished maggot.

We finished the day with about 15 grayling to just under 2lb and 50 trout to about 5lb between the three of us.

All the fish put up a fantastic scrap and it was good to view once again the amazing beauty that grayling possess.

Coarse fishing on the river is available on a day ticket, payable on the bank, at £10 each, but advance booking is advisable as numbers are restricted. If you fancy catching some beautiful fish in truly superb surroundings then give it go.

The fishing is available at Timsbury Manor on the A3057 north of Romsey, with 1.5 miles of main river plus carrier stream.

Bookings on 01264 365165 or 07759 331 385.