Our private one mile stretch of the Andelle has been lost in time and retains much of the ancient landscape. A third of the river flows through wetlands of dense alder and willow where selected bank fishing is possible. The remaining double-bank beat meanders through water meadows where wild flowers and grasses line its margins. Malvoisine is sited on the banks of the Andelle, making a magnificent visual contribution to the wild setting. Man and nature in perfect harmony.
A 17th century stone weir adds further visual delights to this stretch of the Andelle, parting the river to embrace a small island reached by footbridges. Charles Ritz with his friends Churchill and Eisenhower appreciated the qualities of the Andelle; clear water flowing over clean gravel with strands of water buttercup caressed by the current.
The Andelle offers technically challenging fly fishing and is famous for the wild brown trout which are indigenous to these waters. We are members of the Wild Trout Trust, and our association with them allows us to enhance the river habitat in the most environmentally sympathetic way.
When Charles Rangley-Wilson president of the Wild Trout Trust, surveyed our river his wandering eye fell upon the Heronchelle, a magic chalk stream which flows into the Andelle. Pursuing the trail we were fortunate to acquire the fishing rights to the Heronchelle last year. Although the electric fencing was poorly placed and fishing margins nonexistent some of our more intrepid guests caught some beautiful wild brown trout. For this year we have negotiated improved access to the river and a 5m margin giving grass cover (essential for our spooky wild trout) and room for casting. The Heronchelle is an exquisite aquifer fed stream with its source lying only a few miles from Malvoisine. Being situated in a grassy valley free of arable crops the Heronchelle is not subject to run off and colouring in heavy rainfall. Due to its more open situation with few trees, mayfly typically appear two weeks earlier than on the Andelle. We have a 500m beat with walking access from Malvoisine. Our previous guests may notice a modest increase in our daily rod rates; we make no apology for this as we feel sure that the addition of the Heronchelle will add much to your fishing experience.
To support our initiative of sustainable wild trout fishing, we have a catch and release policy using barbless hooks.