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An Invitation
Orvis invites you to visit us in the heart of Hampshire’s chalk stream country to fish our stretches of the Rivers Test and Itchen – surely the finest dry fly fishing in the UK.
Chalk stream dry fly fishing is the ultimate fishing experience and there exists no more coveted chalk streams in the world than the Test and Itchen. Without the right introduction, it is not normally possible to fish the premium stretches of either river “by the day”. They are nearly all owned privately and usually rented by the season only. Orvis has made it possible for you to fish our premium beats with the most experienced local Ghillies.
To reserve a day on one of our beats,
please contact Judith Thornton on 01264 349515 or e-mail Sporting Traditions@Orvis.co.uk
and we will be delighted to discuss the correct beat according to your requirements and ability.
Use the links below for additional information about Orvis Day Rod Lettings.
The Chalk Stream
A chalk stream is a rare geological phenomenon where spring water in great volume rises up through a chalk valley to form a stream. The chalk enhances the water; purifying it, neutralising any acid content, and adding important life-sustaining nutrients. What results is a very fertile river, the chalk stream. The water is so rich that the plants growing in it have to be cut each month in the spring and summer to prevent them from choking the stream. Upwings and sedges proliferate the amount of aquatic vegetation, and trout grow large and selective on this abundance of food. Chalk streams occur in other parts of the world but few have the reputation of those in Hampshire, England. They tend to be found meandering through meadows in broad valleys. Their pace is leisurely which allows their trout to conserve energy and grow rapidly. It is this slow rate of flow that makes chalk streams ideal for dry fly fishing; the rising fish, the drift of the fly and trout’s take are all dramatically visible to the fisherman.
Chalk streams have the unique quality of rarely flooding or drying out. During the heavy rains or sudden thaws, the water is absorbed by the valley into the underlying chalk and later distributed through springs to the stream. This means the trout’s habitat is rarely disturbed, and scouring floods do not deplete his food. This freedom from flooding is also very important to the fisherman, as chalk streams are almost always fishable regardless of weather conditions.
Chalk Stream Fishing
Conditions are so ideal for fly fishing on a chalk stream that fishermen can afford to take the approach of a purist. Hatches are frequent, trout are plentiful, and the water is clear enough that one fishes strictly to the trout one can spot or see rising. Anything other than fishing upstream dry fly or nymph is rarely necessary, with the exception of the induced take which was pioneered on these rivers.
For the most part, one fishes from the bank; wading isn’t necessary and tends to cloud the water downstream with silt and loosened vegetation. The banks are well kept, the grass is mown and the trees and shrubs are pruned.
Chalk stream fishing provides perfect sport of both the novice and experienced angler. The visual element and upstream approach do place an emphasis on casting and presentation but the rest of the technique is fairly straightforward. The mystique of chalk stream fishing is founded more on its rarity than its difficulty.
For further information on Orvis Rod Lettings, Schools, and Corporate Entertaining please contact Judith Thornton
on 01264-349515 or email at SportingTraditions@Orvis.co.uk.
The Balvenie Challenge
A bottle of The Balvenie DoubleWood fine malt whisky will be awarded for the biggest reported fish caught from an Orvis beat each month of the season with the compliments of The Balvenie.
Congratulations to our June 2009 Balvenie Winner, Jim Petkas
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