Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
It’s possibly not quite what the Chinese philosopher Lau Tzu was getting at with his line above, but we’d suggest fishing and food do go remarkably well together. On that front, we’ve collated a series of local events you might like to base your next fishing adventure around.
June – Grosvenor Hotel, Stockbridge, BBQ lunches
The Grosvenor Hotel fires up its wood oven in June and every Thursday lunchtime the chefs will be preparing a superb barbecue feast in the Terrace Garden. If you’re fishing nearby it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch. The hotel is also the final stop on Stockbridge’s Safari Supper on Friday 28th June which is a romp through some of the town’s wonderful shops, pubs and restaurants. Tickets are £75 a head and details can be found here.
August – Trout ‘n About (Stockbridge)
On Sunday 4th August, Stockbridge High Street will be alive with over 100 traders showcasing the best local food, produce and crafts. The event runs from 10am to 4pm and, now in its 17th year, is a fabulous day out for all the family. With various fly fishing spots right on the doorstep it’s an easy thing to combine with a day out on the river. Still plenty of great fishing to be had within 15 mins of Stockbridge, and school holidays can make availability easier. Make it a fabulous family day out including a day on the river or even one of the local lakes with a guide.
All summer – Black Chalk Wine
In the heart of the Test Valley, Black Chalk Wine is just 10 minutes from Stockbridge and 20 from Winchester. It’s a perfect spot if you fancy combining a bit of wine tasting with your fishing. Alternatively visit after fishing on Friday evenings when ‘Friday Night Late’ sees a series of local food trucks set up stall. Timings are generally 5pm to 9pm.
August – Great Dorset Chilli Festival
If you’re near the Frome or Wylye rivers over the weekend of 3/4 August you might want to pop by the Great Dorset Chilli Festival at the Stock Gaylard Estate, Sturminster Newton. This fun, friendly festival has stalls selling all things chilli, from pepper plants to cayenne condiments; seeds to ceramics; artisan food producers; music; chilli eating competitions; spicy street food; local ice creams to cool the mouth and local beers to quench the thirst. Tickets go on sale in May. Pack your waders and spend the morning or afternoon on the beautiful Wylye a wonderful way to cool off after all those spicy and never hot enough chillies. Our beat can fish three rods at a time so bring a friend.
September – Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
The Sturminster Newton cheese festival has been running since 1999 and aims to showcase all that’s good in and around the area. It’s not all cheese. Alongside the two tents featuring cheese producers, there’s live music, artisan food producers, children’s entertainment, a real ale tent with over 30 local ales, a festival cider tent, and a wine bar. This year the festival runs over the weekend of 14 and 15 September and is within easy reach of fishing on the River Frome and River Wylye. Tickets are available on the gate.
For more information, further mayfly fishing 2024 availability or to book one of these days please do not hesitate to contact Justin Hancock or Alex Jardine, alternatively you can call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.