Hi

For the last 2 years myself and my Dad have gone on a 3/4 day fishing trip together and I'm just about to start thinking about sorting out next year, in April/May.

The last 2 years we have gone to the beautiful Tal y Lynn Lake in Wales.
(we've also fished Lyn Brenig and Cregennan whilst there)
It's very tempting to go again but we've decided to try somewhere new and that's where you guy's invaluable advice comes in.

So we'd like some suggestions on somewhere to go within about 5 hours drive of South East London.
Ideally we'd like to find somewhere that has a couple of nice stillwaters close by and also a river.
Neither of us have ever fished a river before, so we would love to give it a go.
(but without breaking the bank balance, we can't really afford to be paying more than about £40 maximum for each days fishing, as it all adds up with accommodation etc)

Obviously any suggestions have to compete with Tal y Lynn for scenery (a tough call I know), so we'd like it to be somewhere that feels pretty special.
It doesn't have to be restricted to Wales, in fact the closer to home the better really.

We regularly fish Lakedown in East Sussex, which is a lovely 4 lake fishery set in the countryside.
We'd definitely consider those kind of places too, they don't have to be a 'wild browns' type of venue. We've not been fishing long enough to become fishing snobs yet!

Look forward to your thoughts.

Thanks

Dan

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In a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate,
My fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion.

Give chris at the Seymour Arms in Blagdon a ring. Super digs and he should be able to sort you out with the fishing on Chew and Blagdon which the hotel overlooks. jim

Get up to the Lake District

I'll second that.

Have a look at the Rhayader & Elan Valley site, 3 reservoirs, 1 small lake, stretches of 3 rivers & Clywedog is about 15 mile from Rhayader

Bit early in the year for that I'd say - we normally leave it til late May/early June - otherwise, yes, some great river and stilwater fishing to be had in lovely surroundings v cheaply

I guess you could head over for a dabble on Wye & Usk passport rivers en route to Wales?

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There also a few reseviors on the Wye and Usk passport, I would suggest registering for a copy.

regards

Vince

Try this
Upper Teign Fishing Association
trout fishing at lakes in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset
Westcountry Angling Passport | Beat Information Map
More than enough to keep you busy and won't break the bank.
Cheers
Richard

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Richard Jackson
Fly fishing instruction and guiding in the heart of Devon
www.devonflyfisher.com

Thanks for all the advice.

I'm currently toying with the idea of a trip to Hampshire in early March, first day on The Test with a guide, second day on our own on the Test and then final day at Avington.

It's going to break the bank a bit but thought I'd do the first day as a surprise Christmas present to my Dad.
(it's him that is worried about the cost more than me, he has a strict wife!)

I've been chatting to Dave at GoFlyFishing UK, who has been incredibly helpful.

Anyone know what Avington is like in March?
To be honest I may have to drop the third day of the trip and just do the 2 on the Test, depending on how expensive it's becoming.

Cheers

Dan

__________________
In a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate,
My fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion.

The Test is highly unlikely to be open for fishing anywhere in early March, other than isolated stretches of grayling fishing. Was that a typo ?

If you want to add some reservoir fishing to the trip, both Farmoor 2 and Sutton Bingham are within an hour and a half's drive from the Winchester area and both should be fishing well in springtime.

If you want less expensive - but still very good - chalkstream fishing, head west into Dorset.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton