Kingsley Wheaton – 25th July 2022
Hi George, it was great to meet you yesterday – on our wonderful day out at Holbury! Thanks for your warm welcome and for helping to make our day so special.
Mike Berrow – 4th February 2021
Thank you George so much for helping me today with my casting in hard weather enjoyed it very much such a good teacher I was not expecting you to help me but you did I wish I could have been better at taking everything in that you showed me, thank you George for your guidance.
Anne Siew – 3rd January 2021
My family and I spent 2 weeks in Lockerley enjoying the stunning Hampshire countryside and had an unforgettable time at Holbury Lakes learning how to fly fish. George is wonderful and we had so many laughs with him – he is a very kind soul and helped us get started and we looked forward to seeing him as much as catching fish. There is a fabulous sense of community at Holbury and over the week we made new friends. We are so confident that we will be going back soon that we bought a 10 fish ticket. The setting around the lakes is breathtaking and picture perfect – it quiets the mind, calms the spirit and helped us perceive the world with heightened clarity. Catching 20 trout in the process was also an amazing experience! Thank you George!
Jo Blackshaw – 21st December 2020
What a wonderful place Holbury Lakes Fishery is! My eleven year old son was desperate to learn to fly fish and had one of his first lessons at Holbury. He then begged me to take him back and I have been delighted to do so every weekend that time permits. Such an idyllic location – peaceful, pretty, clear waters and some fabulous wildlife. George (the fishery bailiff) is a delight – so friendly, patient and helpful, and always on hand to give my son some advice and tips…and to offer me a welcome cup of coffee. It is a real joy to see my son, and now his twin sister too, enjoy spending hours in the fresh air, learning new skills and being nowhere near screens. Thank you George for supporting their passion and making it all such a pleasurable experience.
Jack Lane – 20th December 2020
Upon arrival I was greeted by George who welcomed me with his great comical charm. He passed on his knowledge of the fishery to me without haste and assured me that he was there to help in order to make my day enjoyable.
Needless to say I bought extra fish when I hit my limit! Great fishing in a lovely relaxing setting even in heavy showers! I look forward to visiting again
Harvey Badman – 13th December 2020
First time at the fishery. George was friendly and extremely funny, And got 6 fish out of it. All in all a great day. Looking forward to coming back.
Tracy Marston – 2nd December 2020
Richard Place – 1st December 2020
I have been fishing at Holbury for 20 years. My first experience was a fly fishing
lesson from Jerry Wakeford (a retirement present from my wife). From the day I was
literally ‘hooked’. The lakes are scenically very attractive & tranquil. The fishing is not ‘easy’ but not too hard – just as it should be. I have experienced a succession of Fishery Managers, all of whom, in their very different ways, have been helpful & supportive.
However the present incumbents ‘George’ & part time deputy Graham currently provide
an excellent service & maintain the lakes & surroundings to a very high standard. George is an engaging character(an understatement !!!!) & personally I could sit & chat to him for hours about his Tibetan upbringing. He is very knowledgable on all aspects of fly fishing, flora & fauna. His ability to cast vast distances with either hand is the envy of us all.
Kieron Eatough – 1st September 2020
I took my son fishing at Holbury earlier today and wanted to send a note of thanks to George for all his encouragement, and for his help making a challenging fishing day into a thoroughly enjoyable one for my son. Once again we’ve had a great experience at your fishery! Many Thanks Mr. Eatough
Salisbury Civil Service Fly Fishing Club – 13th January 2020
I am the chairman of SCSFFC and my colleagues requested me to pass on our thanks to Holbury Lakes generally and “George” specifically for the excellent fishing and hospitality we received during our visits in 2019.
I am aware that George is not his given name so please accept my apologies for that. We were, however, always looked after by George who is a credit to your fishery. On our last visit he assisted with weighing in, completing the relevant return sheets and generally helping our members – even providing help to our not so successful anglers.
We hope to see you in 2020 and we will contact you when our members elect to attend Holbury Lakes.
Lee Mclean – 11th November 2019
What a cracking days fly fishing at Holbury Trout Fishery. George the fishery manager was a brilliant host and made me feel at home. I have not fished for a good few years due to illness and other issues. I was greeted with a lovely smile and a hot cup of tea!! George shared his great fishing knowledge with me about flies and lakes. This made my day!! I have been to another local Fishery and never caught any fish on my 4 visits. After my cuppa, George took me over to the Pond Lake and within 5 mins I was into my first rainbow weighing in at 2.6lbs. Later on I moved on to the Long Lake took another 2 rainbows at 4lbs and 3lbs 3 fish in total after.
All because of George I will be back very soon and will be buying a 25 fish ticket soon!!
Fraser Gregory – 19th August 2019
Just wanted to say thank Holbury Lakes you to George for a wonderful weekend at Holbury Lakes. It was my first time visiting and certainly won’t be the last. George was extremely welcoming and knowledgable, The lakes are well stocked and crystal clear. I will certainly be recommending Holbury to friends and colleagues.
Lisa Marshall – 28th May 2019
You are so welcoming and friendly and helpful.
As well as the beautiful lakes you are a very good reason to visit Holbury.
Terry Canty, Troup Bywaters – 21st May 2019
We had a fantastic day thanks. Probably the best ever. George has really made great improvements which all our regulars noticed. Him and Dieter could not have been more helpful on the day and really made everyone feel at home and looked after. With big smiles as well. The lakes really were great and the ghillies very good. Every fish put up a hell of a fight and every guest caught at least 3 and had stories to tell which is what we want.
David Cook – 20th May 2019
We all enjoyed our visit on Sunday you’ve got a lovely fishery and some really hard fighting fish and thank you for making us feel so welcome we will certainly be coming back thanks again.
George Johnson – 5th May 2019
My first time at Holbury Lakes and caught this whopper of 7 1/4 pounder!! George was awesome too, all the info I needed on my first time here.
Stephen Keys – 28th March 2019
Today three friends and I visited Holbury Trout Lakes. This was my first time fishing the lakes at Holbury.
We had a very enjoyable day out and were rewarded with our fair share of fish. The water was clear and it was evident the whole venue was very much looked after. We were met and welcomed by George, who looks after the lakes and fisherman’s hut; his hospitality and dedication was very much appreciated. He supplied, much needed, advice and provided cups of tea for the guests as required.
Thanks for providing such a wonderful trout fishing experience and venue.
Richard Curry – 24th February 2019
Just had a super day. What a difference a good keeper makes. George has transformed this idyllic fishery. It’s always now a pleasure to visit.
Sean Gray – 21st January 2019
Just words of thanks I fished your lakes for the first time on Sunday there where 5 of us fish what a great day we all bagged up the fishery itself had everything you could want from a fishery a bit of everything we have fished all over Sussex and Hampshire your set up is by far one of my best. And as for George what a lovely man very helpful and welcoming we will be back very soon.
Emma Whitehead – 20th August 2018
A beautiful day out at Holbury yesterday with my partner and my dad – perfect weather, nice and quiet, and the fish were on top form, especially keen on a size 16 pheasant tail nymph with a black bead and a little blue flash damsel – 8 fish caught in total👌🎣 one of the best fisheries I’ve been to in a long time and will be returning soon, thanks George!
Stuart Ellins – 15th July 2018
Many thanks for hosting us yesterday in what turned out to be a lovely session. There were some good fish caught, some difficult fish to temp and plenty of challenges. The feedback so far has been very positive and its highly likely that we’ll be back in 2019 for one of our group days. I also suspect that individual members will come back to your fabulous facilities!
Andrew Butcher – 4th June 2018
Many thanks for a fantastic days fishing on 24th May – George could not have been more helpful! Great hospitality and awesome fishing – I will return!
Linda Thornton – 27th May 2018
We had a fabulous Charity Day at Holbury Lakes. An absolutely idyllic location and George and Rob couldn’t have made us more welcome. 15 anglers caught 58 fish and the biggest catch of the day a 15lb 3oz Rainbow Trout. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and several novices are now hooked!
Mike Guest – 20th May 2018
Just a message to say how much I enjoyed fishing at Holbury Lakes yesterday. George challenged me to catch a fish from each lake. A 5lb blue from the end of Willow was followed by a 5lb rainbow from the Long Pool. My best fish a 7.5lb rainbow gave a great fight in the Island lake and I finished with 3lb rainbow from the Pond. All the fish were in great condition as were the Lakes and surrounds. Pity I live in Cheshire because I would definitely be a regular if I lived closer. Thanks George and looking forward to next time.
Rob Laidlaw – 14th May 2018
I personally think George is the best manager at Holbury so far, he is always very welcoming and always willing to share casting tips with newcomers to the sport or even us oldies in need of a bit of help, I have fished at Holbury off and on since the late 90’s and like it so much now it is my main fishery and will continue to be as long as George is in charge. Holbury could not wish for a better caretaker.
Robert Underhill – 11th May 2018
Just to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed fishing at the Lakes yesterday morning, especially taking a brace of feisty “blues” from the far end of Willow.
I have fished at Holbury for 15 years now and walking round yesterday I was really impressed by just how good the fishery is looking. Although a little clouded by recent rain, the lakes are fishing well and the place has a really good feel to it. Well done and congratulations !
Your stretch of river looks very tempting !
Neil Weller – 8th May 2018
Just wanted to say really enjoyed our corporate day last Friday with you. George made us feel really welcome and chatted to all our guests making them feel welcome too. He is a great addition to your team there.
Tim Payne – 26th April 2018
Just a quick thanks for another great days fishing. Weather variable but welcome and fishing shone through. Took three nice well conditions fish which gave good fight.
P. Eyles – 8th April 2018
I fished Holbury today and had 4 good fish, two blues and two rainbows. The highlight though was not catching the fish it was meeting with George. He did all that he could to ensure that we had a good mornings fishing. He is a fantastic advertisement for Holbury lakes trout fishery, I look forward to meeting him again.