Chalkstream Fishing Aardvark McLeod

30/07/2025

We have a rare opportunity to fish the upper River Test on Wednesday 6th August for 3 anglers with a guide.
Due to a late cancellation, we have a fantastic opportunity for up to three anglers to enjoy the crystal clear and prolific waters of the upper Test valley. Brown trout and grayling sit in beautiful gravel pockets between luscious beds of ranunculus. Contact us for more details.

11/07/2025

Check out our latest YouTube video, where Peter McLeod gives an overview of the exclusive Wherwell Priory fishery on the River Test.

In this video Peter McLeod provides an introduction and overview of Wherwell Priory, an exclusive and enchanting stretch of the upper River Test in Hampshire...

25/06/2025

UK Chalkstream Cancellation Offer:
Looking to escape the office and start the weekend the right way, we have a rare opening on one of the upper Test's most stunning group venues available on Friday 27th June 2025.

This is a great chance to head out and enjoy the first fishing back after the June w**dcut, casting to rising trout in clear water.

The day is available for up to 6 anglers with guiding available, contact us for full details and pricing.

+44 (0)1980 847389
[email protected]

23/06/2025

Having joined the Aardvark McLeod team in June 2025, South African Alistair Routledge was sent on his first chalkstream fly fishing trip on the delightful River Wylye in Wiltshire.

Alistair Routledge goes chalkstream fly fishing on the River Wylye in Wiltshire with Aardvark McLeod. Dry fly trout fishing, read more here.

12/06/2025

The bulk of the mayfly might be over but this does not mean you cannot still have some wonderful fishing. The brighter days of summer can make for fun and technical sight fishing.

03/06/2025

We are in the middle of the mayfly season on our southern English chalkstreams with the June w**d cut just around the corner. As ever it has been a period of ups and downs, but a largely successful start to the season and many happy fishing days across the rivers Test, Itchen, Avon, Kennet, Frome, and more.

The pre-season concerns that we would once again have too much water for a timely opening were put to bed by the sunniest April on record. The rivers settled down and anglers were able to explore all beats. As is common in April, we were plagued by easterly and north-easterly winds that kept hatches intermittent. When the flies did get going, the fish responded well with grannom, LDOs, hawthorn and gnats being amongst the best fly hatches.

The sunny and dry weather continued well into May as the mayfly made their appearances, almost right on time in the 2nd week of May. It took the fish a bit of time to switch on to them, but from the 16th May for two weeks most beats experienced great activity from fly and fish alike. One of the standouts this year has been the hatches of other fly at the same time, including iron blues, grey flag caddis, and gnats.

There is still time to catch the mayfly hatch, so do not miss our openings:
Saturday 7th June – upper River Test – 1 or 2 rods
Sunday 8th June – upper River Test – 1 to 4 rods

Looking further ahead, we are excited to see what the summer season brings. The rivers are looking good, if not a bit lower than average and the fish appear to be in fantastic condition. The riverbank looks like a fantastic place to enjoy a day by the water and the hut a perfect place to catch up with a group of friends.

For a group day out, we have some standout dates available:
Wednesday 18th June – River Kennet - up to 6 rods
Friday 27th June – middle River Test - up to 6 rods
Wednesday 6th August – upper River Test - up to 3 rods
Wednesday 3rd September – River Kennet - up to 6 rods
Wednesday 24th September – River Kennet - up to 6 rods

We are in the middle of the mayfly season on our southern English chalkstreams with the June w**d cut just around the corner. As ever it has been a period of ups and downs, but a largely successful start to the season and many happy fishing days across the rivers Test, Itchen, Avon, Kennet, Frome, ...

20/05/2025

We are entering that special period of the year where we start to see the mayfly hatch. At first the fish can be a little hesitant to feed of this rather large offering but it isn't too long before they get zoned into this juicy morsel.

13/05/2025

Bright days can mean the fishing is trickier, but with the good visibility can come the opportunity for some wonderfully fun and testing sight fishing.

16/04/2025

Early season fishing is one of our favourite times on the chalkstreams as the hatches can be short but it the fish are looking up action can be intense.

03/04/2025

The Nadder is not technically a chalkstream as it runs over green sand, while this means that its water is not as clear as river like the Test, it does have some wonderful hatches.

25/03/2025

More small stream delights. Our beat on the Wylye epitomises everything that is good about small stream wild trout fishing. It is not easy but though who fish thoughtfully and with care can do well.

13/03/2025

While we enjoy any kind of chalkstream fishing, small streams is what we often lean to when we are casting a line ourselves.