New Barbel Fishery ??

[John_H]

I heard on the trout fishing grapevine this weekend that quote "several thousand" young barbel have escaped into the lower part of the River Test following a fish farm accident. Has anyone (Ian ?) heard any more details ? As the Test at/below Romsey is pretty similar to the middle Avon, are we looking at another quality barbel fishery in a few years' time, I wonder...

[scorpio]

If that roumer is true John I have a feeling they may electro fish it to remove them as the trout fisheries do not normally promote other species in their prime river fisheries.

We will have to wait and see. I hope the Barbel swim out of the area into a safe zone /images/forum/icons/smile.gif

Tony

[John_H]

As you say, we'll see. The Test changes quite distinctly in character just above Romsey, while the upper river really is an upmarket trout stream, the lower river is more a high quality mixed fishery. If the barbel are in the lower stretches of the river, say in the Broadlands or Testwood fisheries, they might be happy to leave them there and have another species to offer.

[scorpio]

Hi John,

If the Barbel have moved down stream it will be an asset for the river, especially the coarse side of things. Lets hope the river can support the new population of Barbel.

Tony

[John_H]

Thanks Ian. I'd better get back to the source of the rumour (a fishery proprietor !!) and find out what he has to say...

[rhornegold]

John,
Could you please tell us what species the lower Test holds and are there any Day Ticket waters.
Thanks

Bob Hornegold

[John_H]

Bob - this is only what I have heard or read - I fish the lower Itchen in the winter months. The Test must be one of the hardest rivers to get on in England ! There are a few fisheries from Stockbridge down to Southampton that offer day ticket trout fly fishing, but not cheap (£100 a day-plus). Whether the 4 stockie rainbows you can take away are worth it, is up to the angler. Fishing for native Test browns is hard to find and by invitation, syndicate or season rods only when it's not totally private. It might be worth contacting Testwood Fisheries, on the north west side of Southampton, to see if they offer winter fishing for grayling and coarse fish. The Rod Box tackle shop at Winchester may know of some as well. As far as species go - brown and rainbow trout mostly, a few sea trout and salmon, grayling, chub, pike and carp in the lower stretches.

[John_H]

From <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.where-to-fish.com/>Where To Fish</A> website..."Test Valley Angling Club has various lakes and river stretches of 600yds to 2m. Tickets from Tight Lines Angling Centre, 1A Rumbridge St, Southampton, tel: 0703 86068" (you might need to check with Directory Enquiries as Southampton has a new dialling code and amended numbers).

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by scorpio on 04/04/01 06:57 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

[rhornegold]

John,
Thanks I will give them a call, I fished the Frome for the first time last year and would like to try a few of the other river in that part of the country this year.

Bob Hornegold

[John_H]

Bob, can I suggest you give the Lower Itchen Fishery a try as well, this is at Eastleigh near Southampton. BillyO and I have fished there (separately) and it offers good grayling and chub fishing in the winter season after mid October. Also a few carp and the legendary Itchen barbel... £11.75 for a day ticket.

[John_H]

Have you got around to fixing a specific date yet Ian ?