This beautiful fishery has been allowed to decline, particularly in respect of the actual fishery management (i.e. under the water surface). It used to be a favourite of mine, with several lakes, all of different character, making for a very interesting day.

However, long stretches of high reeds have been allowed to dominate the banks, punctuated with "fishing bays" (i.e. holes in the reeds), from which we are supposed to stand and fish. Forget following a fish along the bank and stalking it, as this won't be possible for a large proportion of the bankside.

Fish size is also smaller than it used to be. Value for money questions are justified, and the owner needs to better understand what a fishery like this should be like - take some lessons from Avington for example.

I fish Rockbourne with friends on a fairly regular basis and went on my own this Saturday. I think the variety fishing that the six lakes offer is of interest and as such appeals to the breadth of fly fishing skills these small fisheries have to cater for. I think the tall reeds on some of the lakes give good cover and make stalking fish a possibility rather than a hinderance at this time of year given a hot summer and low rainfall of late. I caught my limit . Fully finned fish between 3 and 4 lbs. I swopped 2 for delicious smoked trout. I like this Fishery.
Wishing you good autumn fishing
Tups
























































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now £40 for 2 fish.

Website says 3 fish for £40. Still pricey, but that's Hampshire for you.

Afternoon ticket is 2 fish for £30. From 12.30 onwards, this time of year.

Anybody been lately? How is the fishing now the new manager is in post?

up for sale again £1,300,000

Went yesterday for the afternoon. Afternoon ticket, 2 fish for £30.

Still for sale, used to see the owners around all the time but no sign of them for a while now.

Water clarity is the best it has been for 18 months, but levels are very low. Took a pal who is just starting to fish, he caught a nice-condition 3lb rainbow. Two other anglers fishing, with the stocking of brownies and arctic char there is more variety here than Holbury, which only stocks Rainbows.

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http://fisheswithflywalkswithborderterrier.blogspot.com/

I'd heard the fishery was on the market - has it changed hands yet ?

It would be a shame if the Waites took a bath financially over Rockbourne, I think they meant well even if, as rumour has it, they bought the place not fully appreciating what they were getting into.

Yes Holbury only stocks rainbows in the lakes, I keep trying to persuade Nigel to mix the stock up a wee bit more but he won't have it. However, the river beat is being constantly improved, this year they stocked some lovely Leckford browns from midsummer on in addition to the growing population of wildies, and they now allow catch and release on the river.

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"Depend on it Sir, this is a battle you sometimes win, and sometimes must expect to lose" - the Compleat Angler
JH based near Southampton

Yes. I've been to Holbury a couple of times this year. Lovely fishery. Yesterday was a toss-up between Rockbourne & Holbury for my pal's introduction to fly fishing. Chose Rockbourne on the basis I knew we could go down to Longacre and in all likelihood be undisturbed.

The estate agent's sign still says "For Sale", so I don't think it has changed hands yet. I can't imagine it will be easy to sell in the current climate. Remembering how the Wraights encouraged & helped myself & my wife in early 2008 when we were just starting out in fly fishing, I wish them nothing but the best.

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http://fisheswithflywalkswithborderterrier.blogspot.com/