George Burnand, head of Strutt & Parker in Winchester is happy in his work:

“My passion is standing on the banks of one of Hampshire famous chalk streams hoping to catch a trout on a dry fly.

When one is able to combine a hobby with work it is as if all one’s Christmases have come at once. This year we have hit the jackpot with stretches of fishing being available on both the Itchen and the Test.

Recently launched to the market is a cracking stretch on the River Test just above Greatbridge, north of Romsey. A third share of this 1,100 yard single bank stretch is available to be purchased. The beat is run as a managed brown trout fishery, with the wild trout being encouraged to breed. Along the river there are some deeper sections which hold salmon and sea trout. Already this year a good number of sea trout have been caught on a dry fly and salmon have been seen.

As a lot of fishermen will tell you, fishing is not just about catching fish – the situation is very pretty and there is an abundance of wildlife: otters have been seen, the great crested grebe have hatched a brood and the blue flash of the king fisher was caught skirting up the bank last week.

All in all this is a very special opportunity and one that does not come to the market very often. The share is available at a price in excess of £250,000

To the east and on an equally notorious river is the Kanara stretch of the River Itchen. It runs from the bridge on Kiln Lane, Otterbourne downstream for about 640 double bank yards. It is a combination of rambling quick flowing stream to deeper slower sections at the bottom of the beat and is largely a wading stretch of water. It has been managed by the Rod Box in Kings Worthy with regular stocking of brown trout to supplement the wild stock of fish. I recently read an article about the winter grayling fishing which provides an added bonus. The guide for the Kanara beat is £375,000.

As two stretches of chalk stream fishing they share that in common, after that they are very different and offer a keen fisherman diverse options.

Coming soon we have another stretch on the Test with a house in Stockbridge.”

George will be happy to chat over the opportunities with keen fishermen and to share a story or two.  George, when not in waders, can be found at the Strutt & Parker office on 01962 869999