Was looking at Dunction as an alternative to Chalk Springs this Sunday. Has anyone fished there before? If so how did you find it? The website isn't very clear on the lakes there although Google maps shows a number of them.

I see that day tickets are also only available on these waters until end of march and then you have to pay full whack

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Emyr Griffiths

Err - I followed the web site and fishery brochure directions from Petworth. Turn left off the A285 at the foot of Dunton Hill.

I fished it once, in early April, a few years ago when they ran a discounted ticket offer for S&TA members. Nice small fishery - but not quite good enough to tempt me away from my Hampshire and Wiltshire regular haunts - and very good quality fish indeed. You need to be aware that the first lake you come when walking away from the lodge is pretty deep, so make sure you have available one or both of a long (15-18 feet) leader rig on a floater with weighted flies, and a fast glass / slow sinking line.

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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

Where are your regular haunts John? Doesn't sound as good as Chalk Springs but perhaps thats because I can't find enough press on it although it a fair few quid cheaper for a ticket.

Also been looking at Blackwool, Meon, Woodington and Moorhen

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Emyr Griffiths

Emyr;

For small fisheries - Avon Springs and Holbury, and I am going to reinstate my 2 or 3 pilgrimages to Avington each year...pricey, yes, but it's a real Rolls Royce fishery. It's all personal taste of course, but having fished both I would rate Moorhen and Meon Springs below the previous 3 I mentioned. I have never fished Woodington, but some of the other southern softies who post on here rate it highly.

I really enjoy reservoir fishing as well, Sutton Bingham and Farmoor are just about do-able as one day trips for me. And river fishing in Dorset and on the chalkstream beats at Avon Springs and Holbury.

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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

Avon Springs isn't a millions miles away especially as I'm looking to travel to Arlington this year too. What are the prices like there? Presumably not to dissimilar to Holbury if its a regular.

I may look into the reservoirs as I'm also a big fan of them

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Emyr Griffiths

Avon Springs is £45 for a 4 fish limit on the lakes. If you fancy a river and lake day it's £65 for 4, of which take up to 2 from the river. Or looking at it another way, catch your 4 from the lakes and have half a days' C and R on the Upper Avon for £20...where there are nice trout and plentiful grayling. You fish the opposite bank to the Services FFA beat formerly looked after by Frank Sawyer and fished by Oliver Kite - liquid history ! Some of the locals knew Frank.

Holbury is £43 a day on the lakes, £50 river and lake, same limits but no C/R other than for small wild fish. They have a nice but relatively short beat of the Dun, a pleasant small chalk stream. Stalking it at close quarters with a little 8 foot rod and a weighted PTN is great fun and quite challenging.

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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