Guiding
Workshops
Fly tying
Country trips
Sells permits
Fishing Breaks offers fishing on the most exclusive and prestigious chalkstreams in England. Simon Cooper founded the company over 30 years ago with a passion for all things fly-fishing and a devotion to world renowned English chalkstreams.
The British Isles boast more than 85% of the world’s chalkstreams that comprise some of the most ecologically unique and biodiverse river systems in the UK. Bought up in Hampshire, Simon was fortunate to have some of the best fly fishing the UK has to offer, on his very doorstep but growing up, he realised that accessibility to these exclusive venues was seldom available to those outside of the clique. With little more than a telephone and a list of his fishing contacts, he set out to change that.
“My mission was back then, and remains today, to make the best beats accessible to everyone and bring a new level of professionalism to the fly-fishing community, whilst never losing sight of the fact that the chalkstreams are some of the most precious and unique trout fishing rivers in the world.” – Simon Cooper
Fishing Breaks has come a long way in three decades, but it remains a very personal business. We are a tight-knit team of river keepers, guides and anglers, doing our upmost to make possible some of the finest chalkstream fly fishing the UK has to offer. Together we have fished every yard of every river we have and maintain constant communication with our river owners and keepers from our office here at the beautiful Nether Wallop Mill, in the heart of the famous Test valley. We look forward to hearing of your adventures.
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Chalkstream fishing is almost certainly different to anything you may have experienced elsewhere. A Fishing Guide is often a useful addition to any fishing trip providing advice, tackle, flies and local transportation as well as a welcome companion on the riverbank. If you are not familiar with the term, it is best to look upon an experienced Guide as a fruitful blend of the knowledgeable gillie, the qualified instructor, the amiable fishing companion, the local tour guide, the chauffeur and the portable tackle shop all rolled into one. They will know of the best pub lunch, the best local transport and of course be able to pick the best flies for the occasion from any tackle box.
Originally created by the legendary Dermot Wilson in 1968, literally thousands of would-be fly fishers have cast a line and caught their first fish here at The Nether Wallop Mill. Nestling at the head of the Test valley, beside the burbling Wallop Brook and with a well-stocked trout lake we have every facility for wonderful day catching fish and relaxing by the water in our oak, thatched Fishing Lodge with all the tackle and flies provided.
“As far as I know we remain the only place in the British Isles solely dedicated to fly fishing tuition and I am proud to have followed in Dermot’s tradition for the past twenty plus years.” - Simon Cooper
Fishing Breaks provides tuitions and courses to cater for all levels of fly-fishing experience and ability. Whether you’re just learning the ropes or you’re a veteran caster, we’ve got something to please everyone.
Fly Tying or Fly Dressing, as its affectionately known in the UK, can be one of the most rewarding disciplines of traditional Fly Fishing. Outwitting a wily Trout at the hands of your very own creation is a sensation rivalled only by the feeling of catching and landing that fish successfully. Entomology, watercraft and creative prowess all rolls into an art form that demands finesse and steady handedness like no other. It really is a beautiful skill. Fishing Breaks offers you the opportunity to pick the brains of our qualified instructors and learn from some of the very best Fly Dressers around.
Southern England has some of the most famous Trout fishing in the world. This is the place that fly fishing as we know it today was invented by the Victorians in the 1800’s and where Izaak Walton, author of ‘The Compleat Angler,’ once lived. Your experience starts almost as soon as you step from your train, car or disembark from your cruise ship as the transfer takes you deep into the English countryside through quaint market towns and past sleepy villages where the thatched cottages cluster alongside the crystal clear chalkstream rivers. Fishing Breaks offer both a complete guided service and bespoke trips for the independent angler.
Fishing Breaks can take you fly fishing in many more locations, but these are the ones that are featured on FlyFish Circle:
Fishing Breaks is an expert when it comes to fly fishing for these species:
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