Bossington Home Beat, River Test

River level

The lowdown

• This is one of six River Test beats run by Bossington Estate, alongside House, Home Stream, Old Stews, Rushams and Old Station.
• The Home Beat has a cracking mix of water: shallows, riffles, varied depths and lovely serpentine stretches. Plenty to keep the eye busy.
• The Victorian thatched fishing hut looks out downstream and is also where the day book lives. Every fish caught must be recorded, even on a blank day.
• It’s fly fishing territory, with traditionally patterned flies, emergers and nymphs making up the game plan. Think careful presentation rather than charging about.
• Upstream nymphing is allowed from 15 June onwards, alongside dry fly fishing. Hooks must be no larger than size 10.
• Wading is only allowed with the river keeper’s permission, so sort that before stepping in. Best not to wing it.
• The 2026 season runs from 13 April to 11 October, with fishing from dawn until dusk. Mayfly-period bookings may need a bit of forward planning.
• Bookings normally need a minimum of two rods per beat. The published pricing sheet doesn’t list a single-rod exception for Home Beat, so check with the estate before booking one rod.
• The main River Test fishery is described as holding fin-perfect trout. Wild fish and grayling must be carefully returned, with fish of 12 inches or more counting towards the catch limit.
• There’s a six-fish daily catch limit, with rods allowed to kill one brace. Fish of 15 inches or more are limited to two per rod, and barbless or de-barbed hooks are strongly encouraged.

Methods: Dry fly, emergers and traditionally patterned nymphs are the main approaches. From 15 June, upstream nymphing is also permitted, using hooks no larger than size 10.

Access & tickets

Day-rod passes are booked through the Bossington Estate Office. There is normally a minimum booking of two rods per beat; the published pricing sheet does not list a Home Beat exception for single rods.

Fish the club names

trout

Named by Bossington Estate across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Traditionally patterned flies, emergers and nymphs are required.
• Upstream nymphing is permitted from 15 June onwards, using hooks no larger than size 10.
• Wading is allowed only with permission of the river keeper.
• The catch limit is six fish per day, with rods permitted to kill one brace.
• Fish of 15 inches or over are subject to a two-fish-per-rod limit.
• Wild fish and grayling must be carefully returned. Fish of 12 inches or more count towards the catch limit whether kept or returned.
• All fish must be recorded in the day book, including on blank days. All rods and guests need a current Environment Agency trout-fishing licence.
• Sub-letting, rod sharing and relay fishing are prohibited. Feeding the river is prohibited.

Where it is