Chalkstream fishing with Roxtons.

The Great Durnford Estate is an exquisite sporting estate, tucked away in the famous Woodford valley on the river Avon - an untouched valley in undulating chalk downs, yet easily accessible from London via M3 and A303.

Roxtons are pleased to be offering weekend syndicate rods on this fantastic and productive beat of the River Avon. The syndicate has use of a very well equipped fishing hut which is ideal for bank side hospitality for the rods and their guests.

The fishing comprises about a mile of one bank of the Avon from Great Durnford to Lake. The river is surprisingly wide for the upper-Avon and wonderfully kept with a huge number of trout, from small wild fish to quality stocked browns of up to 5lbs and occasionally larger.

The river has been taken back in hand by the riparian owner who carefully stocks the stretch with fish from 2lbs to 3lbs. There is a policy that all fish of 4lbs and over are returned to the river, assuring that fish will grow on naturally to a genuine size.

The Great Durnford Estate has abundant fly life and Mayfly hatches that don't finish until well after other rivers, making the fishing here simply wonderful all season.

The syndicate has four rods on Saturdays and four rods on Sundays through the season from 1st May to 30th September each year. Rods are also allocated four guest days per season.

In addition to the syndicate fishing days for two rods are available as are groups of up to four which includes a riverside lunch.

Below is a list of accommodation that is suitably close to the river

Antrobus Arms Hotel
Church St, Amesbury, SP4 7EU
01980 623 163

Stratford Lodge
Castle Road, 4 Park Lane, Salisbury SP1 3NP
01722 325 177

The White Hart
St John Street, Salisbury, SP1 2SD
01722 327 476

Rods
A 9ft rod for a 6wt line is the all-rounder we recommend, however many people, Americans in particular like shorter rods and lighter lines. As a guide, the lightest line we recommend would be a 4wt; otherwise it is difficult to cast into a strong headwind: and the shortest rod we recommend would be an 8ft which gives reasonable line control and enough power to cast a good distance.

Reels
These are generally not an issue with trout fishing on these rivers, but a balanced outfit gives you the perfect combination to maximise your casting.

Lines
Lines of suitable weight for your rod are very important, if your line is a 5wt with a 6wt rod, the rod will not load properly; conversely a 7wt line with a 6wt rod will deaden the action and make casting heavy work.

The ideal line for dry fly and nymph fishing is a weight forward floating line, with a high float profile. The weight forward line is an ideal shooting line and is easy to pick up off the water.
Some fishermen still prefer traditional double taper.

Terminal Tackle (Leaders & Tippet)
Nylon tapered leaders (9ft normally) 4x to 7x, approximately 2½lb to 6lb breaking strain.
Nylon tippet material 4x to 7x, approximately 2½lb to 6lb breaking strain.
nb Not Flurocarbon for dryfly fishing.

Flies
All traditional English dryfly patterns. Specific patterns such as Mayfly, Kites Imperial and Greenwell's Glory, all of which are easily obtainable in local tackle shops.

Fly Dressing
Floatants: Liquid, gels, sprays and powders are all used depending on the size, type of fly and personal choice.
Sinkants: Pastes and liquids are used for sinking and de-shining leaders and tippet.

General Tackle
Scissors, forceps or snips.
As per UK law, nets should all be knotless.
Insect repellents are generally not needed but it is always wise to have in case.
Polaroid glasses in yellow or grey. Yellow for cloudy dull days and grey for sunny days to cut out glare.

Footwear & Clothing
Wellington Boots are the normal footwear as wading is rarely needed or permitted.
Lightweight Waterproof (including leggings if available).
Warm sweater.
Hat of your own choice but long peaks like baseball caps do keep out the glare.

Southern England is a wonderful place to visit with a host of historic places to see such as:

• Stonehenge
• Winchester Cathedral
• Salisbury
• Romsey Abbey

Located in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside just south of Stonehenge and eight miles north of Salisbury, the nearest settlement is the historic town of Amesbury.