I've recently bought myself a shiny new #4 weight rod and I'm keen to give it a baptism before the season ends. As a rule I'm a versatile guy and will happily cast a fly at any species of fish that is likely to take it. However I've got the foolish idea into my head that it would be nice if the first fish on this particular rod were to be a brownie. Obviously fate may toss me a different line but I figure I ought to be able to give myself a decent chance at least.

So what I'm looking for ideally are some suggestions for places that I might be able to find a brownie or two near(ish) to London. I thought Meon Springs was a good bet (I've got a car and am happy to travel) but they're having problems with water levels it seems. I also know there's some free fishing on the River Chess by the playing fields but I'm not confident there are a great deal of fish in there any more. The few reccie trips I've made have shown up mostly jam jar fish, though a healthy selection of minnows, loach and bullheads to be sure.

I was wondering if there were any fisheries nearby that have a good head of Brown Trout and aren't too expensive. Catch and release would be preferred as I have to share a kitchen, but I'm flexible on that.

I have not been up to Meon Springs for a few weeks, but last time I was there, the C&R area was closed due to low water problems/issues. I'd recommend giving them a ring to find out the latest information.

If you are happy travelling down that far from London, there is another nearby fishery on the Meon at Wickham (Chiphall Lake), which is primarily stocked with rainbows, but has a fair head of browns for good measure, and is not an expensive proposition, (as far as fishing in Hampshire goes anyway). The policy there is keep the rainbows and return the browns.

I have spent many a happy hour at Chiphall stalking the browns.





Aidan

I you are prepared to travel i would recommend the Bull Hotel Stretch of the River Coln in Fairford.

Day ticket water £38 per day.

Approx 1.5 miles of river, some bank fishing, some wading.

Hope it helps

Regards
Wildbrown

If you're prepared to go to Meon Springs, go to Chalk springs. There are literally hundreds of browns in there in the gin clear water so yoiu can stalk them and observe their reactions.. lovely fishery if you go in the week and its not too crowded.

You could try here on the river Ver http://redbournburyfishery.co.uk/Charges.aspx which is near St.Albans.

I havent been there but I've always fancied a go when i'm more experienced. Perhaps some of the other forum members have been and can advise .

You might have to click through the blog and the other links to find info on the river, but it seems good value for chalkstream brownies.

RogB

Its an OK stretch, not very chalkstreamy. About 2/3 of the river is siltbed, VERY messy fishery, as it does sporting clays, the river is littered with shrapnell from luminous orange clay discs.

There are MUCH better stretches of the ver you can fish, pm me and i can fill you in

I had a go at Redbourn and I was left feeling a little disappointed in it, though to be fair they certainly don't charge very much. I left thinking that they could have a really nice fishery there. If someone would like to stump up the cash to buy it I'll have a go at turning it around.

Cheers for the PM btw dave, I don't have enough posts to respond as yet - I'll see if I can't make a dent in the required total tonight though.

Not a river , but you can get some nice browns out Halliford Mere in shepperton middx. http://www.hallifordmere.co.uk/ its c/r and wont break the bank , the waters coming back on form now after stocking a week ago, good clean fully finned fish Gaz

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Jsut to let you know , i had 7 browns out yesterdy in the few hours i fished , 9 fish in total

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If in doubt, get the montys out

Intelligence is relative to your environment