East Lodge Beat
East Lodge Beat is a cracking double-bank fly-fishing stretch on the River Itchen, just south of Twyford. You get roughly 2 miles of main river and Rosemary’s Leat, with stocked and wild brown trout plus a good head of grayling.
Run by East Lodge Fishing · checked 28 Oct 2026
River Itchen
East Lodge Beat
Our river artwork — photos for this stretch are on the way
Fish the club names
- Trout
- Grayling
- Salmon
- Brown trout
River level
Measured — Environment Agency
Highbridge weir gauge
Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.
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The lowdown
- This is a proper Itchen setting, with ancient woodland, water-meadow sections and a fishery inside both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
- The fishing covers about 2 miles and is double-bank, with room for up to 10 anglers at a time. Plenty of water to spread out on.
- The main River Itchen is joined by Rosemary’s Leat, a fast-flowing side stream that adds a bit of variety to the day.
- The beat is fly-fishing water. The operator stocks brown trout, while resident wild brown trout and a good number of grayling are also present.
- Salmon may be seen at the right time of year, so keep half an eye on the deeper runs and faster water as the seasons turn.
- There’s no wading here because various parts are deep. Wellies are recommended, though, as the water-meadow banks can be properly soft underfoot.
- Upstream fishing is the traditional etiquette. Keep moving consistently and don’t hog one particular stretch — bob on for a shared beat like this.
- Experienced ghillies can help identify insect hatches, which is handy when you’re working out whether to fish an upstream dry fly, nymph or simply watch for the evening rise.
- The operator can provide rods, nets and flies. Corporate days include two ghillies and may include fishing the evening rise, while individual day rods come without catering or equipment.
- Two five-rod syndicates fish Mondays and Wednesdays, so those days are unavailable for day hire. They’re currently full, with a waiting list available.
- We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.
Methods: This is fly-fishing water, with upstream fishing the traditional etiquette. Ghillies can help with insect identification and the day’s hatch, so an upstream dry fly or nymphing approach can be worked out on the bank.
Popular general approaches · plus anything the venue documents
How to fish this stretch
Game-fish seasons are set by the rights holder and EA byelaws — check them before you go.
Checking the latest Highbridge weir reading…
Methods the rights holder lists: This is fly-fishing water, with upstream fishing the traditional etiquette. Ghillies can help with insect identification and the day’s hatch, so an upstream dry fly or nymphing approach can be worked out on the bank.
— East Lodge Fishing — home, 2026-10-28Target species
Rigs & methods
- Typical approach, not confirmed at this stretch
Fly fishing to the flow
River trout hold where food is delivered by the current. Most trout waters are fly-only — check the rights holder's rules first.
How to set it up
- Upstream nymph or dry fly in the riffles and glides.
- Approach from downstream and keep low.
Typical kit: Rod: 8–9ft #4–5 · Tippet: light fluorocarbon or copolymer. Starting points only — match line and hook to the venue rules and the fish present.
Bait to consider
- Flies only on most trout waters — check the lodge rules
- Bait/worm ONLY where expressly permitted
Common starting baits, not a local "top bait". Bait bans override everything here.
When it suits
Depends on the water's season and stocking — ask the lodge what's open.
General seasonal pattern, not a forecast.
Check the rules
- Fly-fishing water.
- No formal rule book, fixed season dates, catch-and-release rule or fixed list of permitted fly methods is provided on the checked pages.
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Access & tickets
Individual day rod
Available when the beat is otherwise unbooked; groups preferably contain at least two people. Catering and equipment are not included. Rates vary by availability and time of year.
Syndicate membership
Two syndicates operate on the beat, each with five rods. They fish Mondays and Wednesdays and are currently fully subscribed, with a waiting list available.
Individual day rods are available when the beat is otherwise unbooked, with groups preferably containing at least two people. Rates vary with availability and time of year; the operator does not publish a fixed day-ticket price, so contact East Lodge Fishing for current availability and pricing.
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Key rules
- Fly-fishing water.
- No wading because of deep water in various places.
- Upstream fishing is the traditional etiquette.
- Anglers should move consistently and not hog a particular stretch.
- Mondays and Wednesdays are unavailable for day hire because the two syndicates fish those days.
- Dogs are welcome if fellow anglers do not object.
- No formal rule book, fixed season dates, catch-and-release rule or fixed list of permitted fly methods is provided on the checked pages.
This is a game-fishing beat: trout, grayling, salmon and sea-trout seasons are set by the rights holder and local byelaws, so check the season dates in the rules above before you book. If coarse fish are allowed too, the coarse close season (15 March to 15 June) still applies to them.
GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fishWhere it is
Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.
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