World Class Fly Fishing in Winchester England
Where This Popular Outdoor Sport Began in the 19th Century
May 3, 2009
Winchester was chosen by King Alfred the Great in 827 to be the capital of England, and remained so for hundreds of years. It is a beautiful little town, famous for its historic Cathedral and College, Winchester. For some reason, in spite of its famous cathedral having had a popular song written about it, it remains relatively less trodden than its neighbours Bath and Oxford.
Winchester – Where Fly Fishing Began
Fly fishing was invented by Frederick Halford in the 1870’s. He introduced to the world the art of tying flies onto the line, the principal being that the artificial fly imitates the action of the fish. He did his fishing in rivers in and around Winchester and this new technique brought people from around the world to the waterways of this small town.
Isaac Walton – The Most Famous Fisherman
Winchester has had a fishing connection for quite some time. Isaac Walton, regarded as the father of angling, lived in Winchester and published The Compleat Angler in 1653. It is now the most reprinted fishing book of all time, although fly fishing didn’t emerge until Frederick Halford came along.
Walton’s book was published long before fly-fishing was invented. He was a coarse fisherman: this means he used live bait and put his line into the water, whereas the fly fishing involves flicking the line onto the surface of the water.
Winchester – An Historic Place to Stay
Conveniently placed for fishing as well being close to the town, Lainston House Hotel is an elegant William and Mary house built in the 17th century. It sits in 63 acres of rolling countryside and is also on the doorstep of two of the most famous fly-fishing rivers in the world, the ‘Test’ and the ‘Itchen’. George Bush Senior regularly visits the hotel to cast his line and to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the surrounding countryside. A professional fly-fishing instructor is available for all levels of expertise
Winchester – The City
Meanwhile, the attractions of the city are not to be missed. Winchester is packed with historic buildings. If time is short, aim for Winchester College and Winchester Cathedral. The College was founded in 1382 as a public school for boys. Remember that, in the UK, ‘public means ‘private’, and vice versa. This is a school for the toffs and many of Britain’s greatest politicians, writers and artists were educated here. Take the guided tour, and keep an eye out for ancient graffiti etched on its old stone walls by generations of students.
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