The River Lambourn

a superb fly fishing stream

The River Lambourn is a small chalk stream of exceptional clarity – the major fly fishing tributary stream of the River Kennet. It is located in north west Berkshire between Reading and Swindon and joins the River Kennet in Newbury. It is around 60 miles due west from central London and is easily reached from there by the M4 motorway. It is a pure chalk stream river the equal of the upper reaches of the River Test or the River Itchen. Being such a clear stream usually the fish can be spotted and sight casting is the norm. As well as superb Brown Trout it also holds some very big Grayling. Fly hatches tend to be very good and so the dry fly fishing is often excellent. At other times sight casting with a small nymph provides very exciting sport.

We do guided days on a superb long beat of the River Lambourn set in peaceful scenic countryside near to the small towns of Hungerford and Newbury. The River Lambourn is a challenging fly fishing river not suitable for beginners. We do beginners tuition on the nearby River Kennet.. Contact us for the specific prices of specific dates. Note that we do not provide just day rod beat access to fish without a guide.

Fish species / seasons

The game fish in the River Lambourn are wild and stocked Brown Trout and wild Grayling. The Trout season runs from 10th April to 30th September with Grayling being in season from 16th June to 14th March. Thus the river is open for fly fishing for almost all of the year.

Tackle

The River Lambourn is mostly a fairly narrow chalk stream. An 8’ rod for a 4-weight floating line is perfect. Polarised sunglasses are a must have item of fly fishing equipment as are chest waders.

Tactics

The Lambourn is mostly fished by casting upstream from a wading position in the water. Wading is necessary in most places but not all. Being so clear stealth and observation combined with delicate accurate casts are the key to success. Sight casting is the norm and the fisher must do everything he can to try to avoid the fish being spooked by either clumsy casting or too much bank side movement. Dry fly fishing is very good from late-April to late-June, during summer evenings and then again in the autumn. Nymph fishing is best in the summer and autumn and no matter how warm or bright the weather is the fishing is usually still very good to small unweighted nymphs.

Go Fly Fishing UK offer guided days on the River Lambourn as well as fly fishing tuition days for improvers with some previous river fly fishing experience. We have access to an excellent beat of the River Lambourn just north of Newbury and Hungerford.

Guides

As well as providing a superb fly fishing guide service our guides will also loan all the required fly fishing tackle, waders, flies, etc. – or you can bring your own - and can provide a local railway station collection and return service for fishers. This would usually be from Newbury station (less than one hour from London Paddington). If required some of our guides will also act as a chauffeur/guide for non-fishing sight-seeing as part of a fly fishing trip.

If you fancy making your fly fishing part of a short-break in then we can advise you on the best accommodation options. These including manor house hotels, country hotels, inns and bed & breakfasts, each within a short distance of superb fishing.

Costs

Our River Lambourn guided day prices in the Trout season start at £319 (from £180 in the winter season) to include the guide and the beat and the price depends on the number of people fishing and the specific location and date. The beat can comfortably take up to three fishers and the cost per person is from £214 when three fishers share the beat and one guide. Please contact us for an exact quote for your day. Note that we do not provide just day rod beat access to fish without a guide/instructor.

Contact Dave at our southern office to discuss your preferred fly fishing date or to make a booking – telephone 07899 034728 or email dave@goflyfishinguk.com.