SDFFA Upper River Avon Fishery, Upavon–Netheravon

The lowdown

• This is secluded upper Hampshire Avon water, stretching from below Coombe Mill down to Bulford road bridge.
• The upper boundary is where a carrier joins the main river. That carrier can be fished about 30 yards farther upstream, up to the field and fence.
• Around four miles have double-bank fishing, giving plenty of room to find a quiet swim. The total water is described as about 6 to 6.5 miles.
• Expect high banks, clean gravels, varied depths and lovely glides. It’s proper chalkstream stuff rather than a featureless ditch.
• Ranunculus, starwort, water celery and watercress are abundant, so weed beds and clear edges should be key bits of water to work.
• The river carries more colour until late spring, then becomes very clear. That makes stealth, careful wading and a tidy presentation increasingly important.
• This is famous dry-fly and nymph water, with the stretch historically linked to keeper Frank Sawyer and the Pheasant Tail Nymph.
• Brown trout and grayling are the main quarry. There are also occasional larger rainbow trout reported from neighbouring fisheries.
• The trout season runs from 24 April to 14 October inclusive. Grayling fishing starts on 16 June, with fishing downstream of Figheldean road bridge continuing to 31 December.
• Barbless hooks are recommended. Wading restrictions include keeping at least 100 metres from other rods, so give fellow anglers plenty of room and make the most of the quieter water.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Dry fly and nymph fishing are the big draws here, with the clear water demanding a quiet approach. The Pheasant Tail Nymph is part of the stretch’s history, while careful wading and neat presentation should be bob on once the river clears.

Access & tickets

Membership is capped at 140 and is primarily open to serving or former armed forces members, plus specified MOD or cadet personnel. Civilian guests may be invited by members using a day-ticket system administered by the Secretary; a very limited number of civilian membership vacancies may occasionally appear.

Fish the club names

trout

Key rules

• Trout season runs from 24 April through 14 October inclusive.
• Grayling fishing starts on 16 June.
• Grayling fishing continues downstream of Figheldean road bridge through 31 December.
• Grayling caught before 16 June must be returned alive.
• Members must follow the annual fishing permit, bag-limit and size-limit rules.
• Undamaged trout and grayling not intended for consumption are encouraged to be released.
• Barbless hooks are recommended.
• Wading restrictions apply, including keeping at least 100 metres from other rods.

River level

Where it is