Adhurst Wild Flyfishing Syndicate fish 3/4 mile of the River Rother running through Adhurst Estate.
The river is divided into two beats from 1st April until 30th September. AWFS consists of 4 annual members only, in addition to the Committee – with time reserved for yurt guests on an informal but pre-booked day-rate basis.
Fishing at Adhurst is best suited for experienced anglers. But we do offer the services of a ghillie who can take yurt guests a few miles away to trout lakes where beginners can learn the gentle art. The benefit of this is you can cook what you catch whereas at Adhurst you have to put all the fish back unharmed. This is because we are home to a rare habitat and have a conservation program for some rare strains of our native trout.
Fishing is catch-and-release, by fly only, fished upstream, with dry flies and nymphs permitted, maximum size 10 standard barbless hook. Lures are not permitted.
River Habitat for Young Families
Just request before arrival a pond dipping kit and we’ll have this and an ID chart in your safari kitchen upon arrival. Spend as long as you like down by the river trawling for mini-beasts and self-learning about the river habitat with the laminated charts provided. There’s also pooh sticks on the bridge and the river swing to enjoy. And if you go down after dark keep an eye out for the otters!
Flyfishing on nearby Harting Lakes with fish for pan
If you are a novice (min age 12) it’s best to have private lessons at the nearby lakes in Harting. Gilly can take one to two persons at a time. The lakes are not open to the public (and nor is the river at Adhurst). Fly-fishing lessons are £70 per hour and a half-day experience of casting and fishing (4 hours) for two persons is £250. Each person is allowed to catch two rainbow trout which they can bring back to Adhurst to cook. Casting tuition, all equipment, explanation of tack with entomology and understanding of basic fly selection included in lesson.
Guide for Experienced Fly Fishers at Adhurst
The fishing at Adhurst is amazing but it is very specialised and not for beginners. You do need to be able to wade and have waders. This is because the fish are super spooky and you need to be able to creep up on them, it would be hopeless from the bank. For casting, you get one shot at them, that means you have to have accurate casting and good presentation of the fly.
Two hours is £140 and four hours is £200 (for one person) You will be supplied with all equipment but only for the time the instructor is with you. This includes lightweight rods and lines and the specific flies for different times of the year. Catch and Release only.
All fishermen must have a Environment Agency Fishing licence you may obtain here.
Unguided Flyfishing at Adhurst
You will need your fishing licence and ideally waders. We will show you one of two beats by the River Rother. Solo fishing at Adhurst is only open to Syndicate members and residential guests at the yurts and cabin. You will be the only person on the beat as syndicate members have the beats on every other day – so if you wish to fish the second beat you will need to wait until the next day. We can provide a telephone number if you require specialist advice on what to expect. Catch and Release only. Must be booked in advance. A day is £50 and during mayfly period ( 15th May to end of June) it is £75.
All fishermen must have a Environment Agency Fishing licence you may obtain here.
We advise short rods such as 7 ft and 1 – 3 weight maximum. Leaders length 9ft . 4 lb breaking strain however if you are using small flies in the size 16 – 20 range then add tippet of 3 lb.
Dry Flies: CDC F Flies in olive and black, size 14 – 18, Greenwells glory size 14, blue winged olive size 16, Black gnat size 16, griffiths gnat size 14, sherry spinners size 16, Cream and black sedge, size 12 – 16, red sedge, size 14.
Nymphs: Pheasant tailed nymph size 14 -18, Gold ribbed hairs ear size 14 – 18, small shrimp patterns size. No gold heads but small tungsten.
During the mayfly period: emerging mayfly and grey wulff size 10 – 12. French partridge.
