Whinwhistle Fishery

Details

Set in 36 acres of beautiful woodland and water meadows this exciting fishery has developed into one of Hampshires premiere fisheries and comprises a series of four spring fed lakes and waterways in addition to 1660 yards fishing on the Blackwater, a tributary of the River Test. The fishery offers coarse fishing at its very best. John Hardeley, the owner of Whinwhistle, is committed to its development and has many exciting ideas for the future.

Keepers Lake is a new addition to the coarse fishery and is stocked with carp, tench, bream, roach and rudd. Over 1 ton of mirror carp were stocked in January 2003 to add to existing stocks in the lake. A newly laid road allows visitors to drive to the car park behind this lake to provide easy access to all lakes. Opposite Keepers Lake is the club house that offers fisherman and accompanying guests the chance to relax, eat lunch and drink tea and coffee. The coffee shop is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Rail has been recently completed as part of the Flood Risk Assessment and opened for fishing in March 2004. It has 15 pegs of single bank fishing along the length of the new lake joining Whiwhistle and Keepers Lakes. Ideally it should be fished with pole or waggler, using caster, maggot and hemp. Match bookings welcome. The lake is well stocked with crucuian carp, tench, common and mirror carp, gudgeon, perch, roach, rudd and bream.

Whinwhistle Lake is a 3-acre lake set on the edge of the river Blackwater flood plane. The marginal vegetation, islands and Lilly pads provide a variety of fishing challenges. Most of the 30 pegs include a natural feature to fish to. Long Island can be reached via a bridge. The pegs here often provide the best carp fishing. The record individual fish, a 19lb 6oz common, has been caught from here on three occasions this summer. The boat jetty on the south bank holds the current lake record bag. The best Tench and Bream fishing are usual found fishing from the East bank. The narrow channel along the North bank often produces surprises with the added challenge of playing a large fish in a confined space.

The River Blackwater meanders through the fishery providing fast flowing riffles that hold Grayling and deep holes that hide Chub. The banks are high and, in summer, the water is clear so it can be necessary to stalk the fish.  Trotting a maggot with a small stick float is the preferred method. The best grayling this year was 2lb.