Address: Chalk Springs, Park Bottom, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 OAA
Directions: Follow the A284 from Pulborough to Arundel. At the Arundel roundabout take the A27 towards Chichester and signal immediately for a right turn down the first lane on your right between the lodge bungalows. This lane is less than 10 yards from the roundabout. Travel down the lane to the fishery car park.
Address: Chalk Springs, Park Bottom, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 OAA
Phone: 01903 883742 Fax: 01903 884482
Web site: www.chalksprings.com
Season: Open all year Fishery: There are four lakes covering 5 acres situated in a lovely Sussex location. The Cathedral is clearly visible from the fishery. The lakes are fed by natural springs making the water gin clear and an ideal water for stalking.Fishery records: Rainbow 191b 2oz, brown 131b 7oz, blue trout 141b 4oz and tiger 141b 2oz.Stock: The average stock fish is between 2lb and 5lb with a good number of larger fish well into double figures. The quality of the fish stocked is outstanding. I was absolutely amazed when I looked into the stock pond at the fish that I could see. The browns and the tiger trout were magnificently marked and all fish were fin perfect. However, it was the blue rainbows that were the most amazing sight as they had a distinctive electric blue colouration. In the poor light my photographs could not do them justice.In Winter (November to February inclusive) fishing is exclusively for rainbows including blue rainbows. At other times of the year, tigers and brown trout are also stocked.Dogs are not allowed on the fishery. Fishing is from 8.30 a.m. to dusk. Summer tickets: Long day five fish limit £35, day ticket with a four fish limit is £29.5O, half day ticket (7 hours) with a three fish limit £25 and an evening ticket (5 hours) with a two fish limit is £18.50. There are special shared novice (fisherman plus beginner) available and junior tickets.Winter tickets: Day tickets £35 for five fish, £29.50 for four fish and £25 for three fish. A five hour ticket with a two fish limit is £18.50.Facilities: W.C., fishery lodge, hot drinks, some snacks, tuition, some tackle for sale with access for wheel chair users. Without any doubt the fishery has very good facilities.
Accommodation: Short breaks can be booked at the St Mary’s Gate Inn. Phone 01903 883145
A Day on Chalk Springs
I went with the editor, Geoff Maynard and my wife, Virginia to Chalk Springs on a cold wet day in late November. We arrived at 9 a.m. travelling down partly flooded roads all the way. I had expected to find the water on the venue to be dirty as there had been so much rain but to my surprise it was absolutely gin clear. This venue has never been known to colour up.
We walked down to West Lake which is in the middle of the fishery. Geoff settled up one end and I set my gear up at the opposite end of the pool. As I set up, I could clearly see plenty of fish moving around about 2ft below the surface. They were certainly higher up in the water than I had expected on such a cold wet day.I set up with a 8.5ft A.F.T.M. 5 fly rod with a weight forward floater of the same rating. As there were some big fish moving, I decided to use a 11ft leader of 51b b.s. line. My fly was a size 12 gold bead hairs ear nymph. I tried stalking for the first hour but, although I had some fish show an interest, none took. I then decided to change tactics and fly to intercept fish that could be seen patrolling further out. The fly was changed to a size 10 gold bead damsel and cast out to where the fish could be seen. I let the fly sink and then gave it a fast jerk as a fish approached. The fish flew at it and I was playing my first rainbow that put up a terrific fight on the light gear. It was netted and weighed at 41b 2oz. As I was weighing it, I saw that Geoff was playing another slightly smaller rainbow.When Geoff had landed the fish, I went up to discuss our findings. There were certainly a lot of fish in the water with some very big fish showing. Most of the stock fish seemed to be of a very high average size and mixed in with them were several good doubles. We were having a lot of interest from the standard fish but the bigger fish we could see would follow up but then turn off at the last moment without taking. Most frustrating but very exciting!Then a young angler appeared walking down the bank with a big rainbow in his net. It was 11lb 8oz. He explained that he had caught it on a gold bead hairs ear and had stalked it out.Geoff and I knew that we were on the right method and decided to fish on. However with the excessive rain and wind it was not ideal. We both caught fish but could not catch a monster. At one time I had had a double figure rainbow move up to my fly only to have a smaller fish of just over 41b rush in to take the fly before the bigger fish had had a chance. All our fish were good sized and in perfect condition.
It was then time for lunch. We went to the St Mary’s Gate Inn which is less than a five minute drive from the fishery. The food was excellent and the owner told us that he catered for anglers taking short holidays at Chalk Springs. It certainly looked good to us and the food was great.
We returned and decided to continue to fish the West Lake. It did not take long before Geoff was in to another good sized rainbow whilst I had had a few follows. I then changed fly to a white nymph with a short marabou tail. On the first cast I had a take on the drop that I missed. The next cast I covered a fish that again took on the drop. This time I did not miss and after a rather spirited fight, I landed another nice rainbow approaching the four pound mark.My final fish came on the last cast when I covered a good sized rainbow that took the white nymph as I covered the fish at the bottom end of the lake. This was a much better fish that covered half the pool before I could turn it. It then went off to the far bank, tail walking in the process. The little fly rod was tested to the limit as the fish continued to fight on. After what appeared to be an eternity the fish started to slow down. It was tiring but it was still a fair time before I netted it. It was a nice rainbow of 81b 2oz and a fitting end to a great day out. We had plenty of sport with chances of catching some very big rainbows.
Conclusion: We thought that Chalk Springs was an excellent fishery offering good value for money. We were also impressed with the fishing in such adverse conditions.