Stillwater · Chalk · South / West Sussex

Chalk Springs

Chalk Springs Trout Fishery venue image
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Built on the old watercress beds of the Duke of Norfolk's Arundel estate, Chalk Springs uses the same chalk aquifer that feeds the Arun and Adur — the water is constant, gin-clear, and cold enough that fish feed aggressively through warm spells that knock other stillwaters off.

Fair · Rainbow
Buzzer · 12-14
Fairlive now
Good summer conditions for Chalk Springs
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
61% confidence

This venue is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSW 14 km/hGentle breeze
Today’s fly
Buzzer
Buzzer12-14
Washing-line, in the film
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Gentle breeze
SW 14 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp—
Air temp15°C
CloudClear
Pressure1022 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for rainbow
When
Conditions are not ideal but fishable at Chalk Springs. The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently.
Where
Start with Booby (8-10) on a fast strip on floating line or static on sinking. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely. When no hatch is visible, a buzzer team — black stripped quill on the point, attractor or pearl-rib on the top dropper — is the default starting point on any UK stillwater.
The plan
Plan A

Start with Booby (8-10) on a fast strip on floating line or static on sinking. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely. When no hatch is visible, a buzzer team — black stripped quill on the point, attractor or pearl-rib on the top dropper — is the default starting point on any UK stillwater.

Plan B

Fish early and late, try deeper during the heat of the day with a fast-sinking line.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Bank

Bank fishing near inflows, dam walls, and weed beds. Move to find feeding fish.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
64%
Cloud25%
Wind65%
Temp100%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Duncton Mill Trout Fishery
12 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout · Tiger trout
Northbrook Fish Farm & Fishery
15 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout · Blue trout
Hazel Copse Trout Fishery
27 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout
Meon Springs Fly Fishery
35 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Frensham Trout Fishery
37 km
Rainbow trout
Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

Built on the old watercress beds of the Duke of Norfolk's Arundel estate, Chalk Springs uses the same chalk aquifer that feeds the Arun and Adur — the water is constant, gin-clear, and cold enough that fish feed aggressively through warm spells that knock other stillwaters off. Four small lakes with daily stocking and a catch rate that rewards even inexperienced fly fishers; the regulars who know the lies and the tippet weight to use will do better still. Fly-only, barbless, with a genuine insect spectrum throughout the season.

  • Fishery
  • Chalk
Why this score
  • Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for summer fishing.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Small Stillwater Playbookstillwater tacticsThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureTrout Near Londonaccess guide
Booking & contacts