Chalk Stream · Chalk · Berkshire

River Lambourn

No photos yet for this water.

The Lambourn is one of England's purest chalk streams — a Berkshire spring-fed river running from the Lambourn Downs through Eastbury and Boxford to join the Kennet at Shaw.

Species

A proper day on the water

Low and clear — careful approach country. Stay small, stay accurate.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
10°C est.ideal 1016°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature9328% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time4513% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity5212% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
9.6°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
9°C
Wind
W 16 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1008 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
13.6 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Feeding time is weakest (45).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Brown SedgeHatch
2
3
2
Freshwater ShrimpHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Blue Winged OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Private/syndicate beats dominate
  • Englefield Estate and Boxford Trout Fishery offer day tickets
  • Check beat-level rules for barbless / catch-and-release / fly-only restrictions.
Directions
About this water

The Lambourn is one of England's purest chalk streams — a Berkshire spring-fed river running from the Lambourn Downs through Eastbury and Boxford to join the Kennet at Shaw. Crystal water, gravel runs, ranunculus weed, abundant olive hatches. Almost entirely private and syndicate water, with day-ticket access to the Englefield and Boxford beats by booking. Wild and stocked brown trout, plus grayling. A classic technical dry-fly destination — light rods, long leaders, careful casting.

  • Chalk
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 April → 30 September
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