Lower Bishopstoke, Winchester

SOLD

Location
The Lower Bishopstoke Fishery is located within easy reach of Winchester and Southampton, about 7 and 5 miles respectively.  It is very well situated to take full advantage of improved communications, with the M27 Motorway (Junction 5) only 2 miles to the south and mainline train service from Eastleigh Station, only 1 mile to the west of the river, taking approximately 75 minutes to Waterloo. Southampton Airport at Eastleigh is also very useful, being about 2miles to the south.

Directions
From M3 take junction 13.  Follow the A335 to Eastleigh.  In Eastleigh take the B3037 sign post Bishopstoke.  After going over the railway bridge continue for approximately ¼ of a mile along Bishopstoke Road and turn right immediately after the Esso garage into Chicken Hall Road.  Continue onto the private road for approximately 300m and the access track to the fishery is on the left hand side with a galvanised gate.

The fishery has the benefit of a hard surface car park at the lower end of the beat, together with steel container used for storage. There is direct access to the southern end of the fishery over a shared bridge.

Introduction
The Itchen is one of the best known chalk stream rivers in southern England which rises at southern end of the Candover Valley, near Alresford and flows out at Southampton.  Whilst being renowned worldwide for its superb trout fishing, the river is noted for its Salmon and Sea Trout.

The Lower Bishopstoke Fishery is the highest of only four Salmon beats on the River Itchen, and potentially one of the most productive. At Bishopstoke, the river is divided into three parts, the main river, The River Barton and the navigation.  The majority of fishing in the main river is double bank with a small section of single bank on the northern end.  The Barton stretch is single bank.

Water levels are controlled by the Environment Agency at Bishopstoke Lock and at Horsebridge hatches, both above the beat, the latter coming under the control of the owner of the Lower Bishopstoke Fishery.

The Fishing
The fishing has been in the Vendor’s ownership since 1982.  The banks have purposely been allowed to grow in at strategic places, thus narrowing the river, to increase the water flow. Many groynes have been installed, so that there are now approximately 20 recognisable pools, in which all hold varying numbers of Salmon at certain times of the season. 

The Vendor has concentrated specifically on attracting Salmon into the main river, whilst leaving the River Barton for Trout.  This can also be quite prolific and is a most attractive stretch of dry-fly water.  Along the banks the owner has been particularly careful in maintaining the natural appearance. Both banks are fenced and bridges and seats are all well maintained.

The Bishopstoke Fishery has been under fished for many years for salmon.  There is currently an annual arrangement with East Leigh Angling Club who stock approximately 100 Brown Trout annually and have the right to fish for Brown Trout between Monday and Friday, during the trout season, and course fishing at the end of the season.

Access
The Fishing is approached over a footpath and bridge across the River Barton, marked A-B-C on the Sale Plan, leading from a private road on the western side of the river.  This leads to the right hand bank where about 100 yards further downstream is the Fishing Hut.  The main river is best fished from the right hand bank, apart from the extreme southern and northern parts, access to which is either across a bridge (south) or by wading (north).  Wading is the easiest and best method for fishing the River Barton.

The Fish
The Salmon and Sea Trout season for the Itchen  runs from the 17th January to the 2nd October.  The main Salmon run is predominately in June/July and then a later run of fish in September.  Sea Trout also tend to run at these times of the year and whilst no records have been kept the river produces some enjoyable fishing.

Methods of fishing are unrestricted and all forms of Fly, Prawn, Shrimp, Worm and Spinning have proven successful in the past.

Records

Holdover
The Vendor reserves the rights of holdover to allow an informal arrangement with the Eastleigh and District Angling Club to be allowed to Trout & Coarse Fish until the end of February 2011.

Agents Notes
Tenure And Possession
The fishing rights are freehold and will be sold with vacant possession on completion.  In addition, the fishing has the benefit of rights of access to the water and along the banks.

Rights of Way & Easements
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all existing Rights of Way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and electricity supplied in other rights obligations, easements, quasi-easements and restrictive covenants or all existing proposed wayleaves for masts, staves, cables, drains, water and gas and other pipes, whether referred to in these particulars or not.

Mis-Descriptions
In view of the implications of the Property Mis-Descriptions Act, we must point out that none of the services, heating equipment, fittings or appliances have been tested and no assurances can therefore be given regarding their condition/suitability.

Measurements
Any areas, measurements or distances referred to as approximate are given as a guide and are not precise.  If such details are fundamental to a purchase, purchasers must rely on their own enquiries.

Local Authority
Eastleigh Borough Council
Civic offices
Leigh Road
Eastleigh
Hants. SO5 4YN

Photographs taken:                 July 2010
Particulars prepared:              July 2010

Guide Price

£300,000

Terms & Conditions/Agents Notes