Longstock Fishing Club offers visitors, members and Partners the chance to enjoy the view of Leckford Estate and fish in any of the available sixteen beats for Brown and Rainbow Trout. Below are the River Beat Descriptions from each beat.
Beat 1: The “Mayfly” Beat. Access is through the Mayfly Pub and Car Parking is by kind permission of the Landlord. Would Anglers please keep to one car and park away from the Pub entrance. No Fishing before 09.30.
The Beat comprises of double bank Main River and Single bank Carrier. The River Anton joins the Test 100m downstream from the Mayfly and anglers can fish this up to the Cattle Drink. The hut for Beat1 is over the Footbridge at the confluence of the Test and Anton.
Beat 2: Primarily Carrier fishing from the Right-Hand bank, there is also 150m of Left-Hand bank on the Main River. The Beat is accessed via the Car Park at North Lodge, over the Long Footbridge on Beat 3 and follow the path across to the hut at the bottom of the Beat. The weed rack in front of the hut is a favourite spot to find a larger fish.
Beat 3: The “ Waterwheel” Beat. Main River fishing from the Right-Hand bank, from the Long Footbridge, upstream through the Water Meadows. The hut is situated below the Weir and many a good Trout has been caught from just in front of it. Access from the Car Park at North Lodge.
Beat 4: Main River on the Left-Hand bank opposite Beat 3, there is also a stretch of Carrier that runs downstream from the hut on 2, “under the Willows”. The bends on the Main river hold fish whatever the time of year and monsters lurk behind the bridge. There are some very large Grayling amongst the Trout. Access from the Car Park at North Lodge.
Beat 5: Both banks of Main River, Right-Hand bank to the top of Broadwater and up to the Water Garden fence. Left bank fishing up to the Ash Tree and boundary with Beat 4. The hut is located on “Cabbage Island”, a strange name that can either be a reference to its shape or to the large clump of Butterburs that come up every Spring. A very productive pool in front of the hut provides good fishing in the evening . Access via the gate and track opposite Longstock Park.
Beat 6: Both banks of Main River and 2 sections of Carrier. The Main River is fairly shallow but deepens from the second side bridge down to the Pool on Beat7. The Carriers provide interesting fishing and are always worth a look.
The hut for Beat 6 is shared with the Broadwater Beat and is accessed from the track coming off of the Testway. Parking is through the gates to Leckford Abbas.
Beat 7: Main River and Carrier. The small Carrier is fished from the Right Hand bank and has a small pool half way up. Following the path takes the angler to the bottom of the Main River and the hut. Fishing is from either bank on the Main and finishes at the pool, where a G and H Sedge will often catch in the fast water. The access to the Car Park is from the A3057 coming from Leckford, the track runs parallel to the road before the Golf Course entrance.
Beat 8: Both banks of the Main River and the Carrier ( the Old Test). The Main River on the true Left Hand bank runs up to the bridge at the bottom of beat 7, the shallows here can offer good sport when the B.W.O Spinners return in the evenings. The Right hand bank continues on the Carrier, known as the Old Test, this is a beautiful stretch of water with some riffles and deep glides under the banks. The pool behind the footbridge that marks the top of the beat is a likely spot to find a lunker. Access to the Car Park is via the track from the A3057, coming from Leckford village. It runs parallel to the main road and goes over the Testway. Parking is adjacent to the shared hut.
Beat 9: Main River and Carrier. Both banks of the Main River and Right hand on the Carrier. The Main channel is deepest in the top third, behind the footbridge and in front of the hut is a fine place to catch a monster. The Carrier runs parallel with the Main River and finishes at the pool behind the shared hut. A good beat to watch Hobby falcons catching Mayflies. Access is via the track that comes off the A3057, from the Leckford village direction and before the Golf course entrance.
Beat 10: The iconic photograph of the Eel Pot Hut on the Test is Beat10.Both banks of Main River and a small stretch of Carrier. Behind the Eel Pots, in the fast water, some surprisingly robust Trout are landed every season. Upstream on the true Right bank is a long, deep glide, affectionately known as Rainbow Run. This is the spot of many a long battle with large powerful fish, some are landed but many escape to haunt the anglers dreams. Car Parking is through the upstream gate on the Bunny ( the Lane that joins the A3057 to Longstock village and the Peat Spade.)
Beat 11: Carrier fishing, and lots of it. Beat 11 runs downstream of the Bunny (the Lane that joins the A3057 with Longstock village) and comprises of a braided system of Carriers originally dug to supply water to the Meadows in the 1800’s. This is small water and ideal for a 3 or 4 weight outfit, but don’t be mistaken in thinking all the fish are small. The deeper glides and pools hold fish of over 3lbs and a surprise monster is always on the cards. A stealthy approach is recommended as this is close quarter fishing. The Car Park is through the gate downstream of the Main road bridge on the Bunny ( the Lane that joins the A3057 with Longstock village). Follow the Beat markers heading South, beat 11 is signposted over a Left Hand Plank bridge. The hut is located at the end of the track, halfway down the Beat.
Beat 12: Main River double bank and Carrier. The top of Beat 12 is the Main Road bridge on the Bunny ( the lane that links the A3057 to Longstock village) , it extends downstream, past the main hatches, to the Cattle bridge at the top of Beat 14. The Carrier , known as Kettle Ditch, can be fished from the bottom boundary up to the Fish Farm fence. Popular with families feeding the ducks, the Road bridge pool holds some large Trout but they can be hard to tempt on anything other than a representation of a piece of sliced white. Downstream, the concrete buttresses of the old hatches can be seen, there is a very deep pool behind the sill and a corresponding one on the new hatch system. Car Parking is through the gate next to the road bridge and the hut can be found on the right –hand bank near the bottom of the Beat.
Beat 13: Double bank Carrier on the Old Test. This a long and secluded stretch of Chalkstream, it is sheltered from the prevailing SW winds by the Great Common, a hundred acre Island that splits the River at the top of the Beat. It has a bit of everything, fast shallow glides to deep meanders. Past the hut, halfway down the stretch, is a footbridge, known as the Salmon Bridge. The shallows behind it are the favoured spawning site for Salmon returning in the Winter months. There is a back path that runs from the Car Park to the Salmon Bridge, this allows anglers to fish the top section without disturbing it. Access is through a gate opposite Longstock Park, parking is at the end of the track next to the Returns Box and scales.
Beat 14: Main River on both banks and Carrier fishing on left hand bank. Beat 14 runs from the Cattle bridge at the bottom of Beat 12 to the boundary with the Houghton Club, just behind the footbridge. Longstock village forms the backdrop on the right hand bank and South Moors water meadows the left. The large Manor House overlooking the Beat is known as The Grange and was the Headquarters of the Longstock Fishing Club from 1809 until 1827, when the members left to form the Houghton Club in Stockbridge. Access and Car Park is through the gate next to the Road Bridge on the Bunny ( the lane that links the A3057 to Longstock village). The hut is located on the right hand bank two thirds of the way down the Beat.
Broadwater Single bank Main River and Carrier. The hut is shared with Beat 6 and is found at the bottom of the Beat over the footbridge. Good fishing can be had just in front of the hut and up to the junction with the Carrier, the deeper water is on the far bank. Above the confluence is a deep, slow stretch that often holds a monster, especially behind the island. The Carrier can be fished up to the Railway Bridge. Parking is in the courtyard of Leckford Abbas, signposted from the A3057, before Leckford village. Cross the Main Road and turn right along the Testway ( the disused Railway line). 60m on the Left go through the kissing gate and follow the track to the River.
4x Single bank Carrier. The un- imaginatively named 4x is a long Carrier beat that runs upstream from the railway bridge, alongside the Broad Meadow. This is the ideal stream for a 3 or 4 weight outfit and a stealthy approach. The Trout in the shallows are spooky while those hiding under the branches of the overhanging trees are less timid but require an accurate cast. The upstream limit of the Beat is 50m above the top Railway bridge. Access is through the gateway opposite the Village Shop in Leckford. Over the Steel Bridge and turn Right, please do not drive next to the hut as the ground is soft.
