Lower Itchen Salmon

Location

Summary

5,300 yards of the Lower Itchen

Fishing for salmon and sea trout and brown trout.

N.B. 2010 broke ALL records with 267 salmon caught, being the highest since the fishery and records began in 1954 - see our website for details.

Please note that the fishing offered online does not include the services of a ghillie. If one is required please contact the fishery on the numbers opposite where details and costs of the ghillie service can be obtained.

Description

This page relates to Salmon fishing.
For trout fishing, click: this link
For Grayling Fly fishing, click: this link
For coarse fishing, click: this link

The Lower Itchen Fishery

Lower Itchen Fishery was founded in 1954 and consists of c. 5,300 yds making it the longest continuous stretch of the River Itchen in private ownership. The fishery is set amidst picturesque water meadows and has an abundance of animal, bird and insect life which creates an atmosphere in which to unwind from the stresses of life.

The river meanders gracefully from its source near Cheriton through Winchester to its completion in Southampton water. The ecology of the surrounding water meadows is extremely rich, and provides the right environment for the abundant fly hatches. This commences with the Grannom, followed by the Hawthorn and Mayfly.

The salmon fishing is carried out over 3 beats which are keepered to suit the salmon's preference for deep channels cut into the potamogetun and lies created by means of groynes and bolders on the riverbed.

The size of the grilse are particularly impressive with an average weight between 7-8lbs. Our salmon beats are only 1mile from the tidal limits and from June to the end of September fresh run sea liced fish enter the river on a daily basis.

The fishery lends itself to fishing for salmon with bait and lures with the prawn, ledger or float fished, (used after 16th June) being the most popular method. Natural and red prawns appear to be more effective than the other colours available.

Spinning is another popular method used with lures such as the Flying C and no. 4 Mepps. A number of fish were also caught using the "induced take" method using a heavily weighted nymph on a suitable trout rod. To see a fish in the crystal clear water chase a nymph from its lie to take the nymph within inches of the surface has been described by our rods as "heart stopping".

Owner Lyndsey Farmiloe, who's been involved in the Lower Itchen Fishery now for almost 25 years, said: "This year I've seen parts of the riverbed I have never seen before! We had tremendous ranunculus cover all year and no blanket weed at all, unlike last year. All the signs are encouraging for future years".

We are now in our twelfth season of offering corporate events and entertainmemt with many of our clients returning annually. We pride ourselves on the personal attention we give each client and can tailor requirements to suit your needs. We specialise in providing corporate packages for trout and/or salmon fishing for parties of up to 18 fishermen (larger parties may be considered).

A complete event package can be put together to include fishing with the exclusive use of the entire fishery; first class friendly tuition and ghillie service throughout the day; catering to your requirements ranging from breakfast on arrival followed by a picnic to a three course lunch with cream tea and evening snack before departure and the fishery is pleased to offer refreshments throughout the day. For those keen fishermen, fishing may continue until one hour after sunset, unlike some other waters where you have to leave by 6pm.

Larger "Cast & Blast" Corporate Days can be arranged with clay pigeon shooting in the morning followed by fishing in the afternoon/evening, all at the same location.

The fishery is situated under five miles from Junction 5 off the M27 providing excellent access from surrounding areas with London only 77 miles away. For the local business person, Southampton is only a few miles away allowing fishing after a day at the office or to entertain business clients at the river. With Southampton Parkway train station only 2 miles away getting from London Waterloo takes just 1 hour. For those further afield, Southampton Airport is about a 5 minute car journey away.

Once at the fishery access to the beats is via a private track which follows the course of the river and enables rods to park beside their beat, making the fishery ideal for the more mature fisherman and suitable for the disabled.

The entrance to the fishery is via Gaters Mill, which is, in itself steeped in history. There have been mills on the site since Doomsday. Within the mill complex is the Fisherman's Lodge with a kitchen area for the preparation of snacks and refreshments and a lounge area in which to sit and chat to fellow fishermen. Fishing huts and shelters are also provided at various points along the riverbank, together with BBQ facilities.

Our resident Keeper, Clayton Moorhouse, is there to help answer any questions about the river and to give advice and guidance on fishing, and act as ghillie and can be booked for 2 to 8 hours.