In tap-clear water over gravel or sand, avoid standard dark green or black leads. Use sand-coated, clay-colored, or natural stone-textured weights to blend into the light substrate. As water clarity decreases or when fishing over dark silt and decaying weed, switch to a dull, matte-black or dark-brown finish. The goal is to eliminate any artificial silhouette; if the water is clear, your lead must match the bed perfectly to avoid spooking wary fish.
Hampshire is defined by its crystal-clear chalk streams. While the upper Test and Itchen are primarily fly-fishing territory, the lower reaches and the mighty Avon offer world-class specimen coarse fishing. This is the land of 8lb chub and 16lb+ barbel.
Inland, the Ringwood area is the hub for specimen carp. Massive gravel pits like Rockford Lake (55 acres) and Spinnaker (65 acres) hold fish comfortably over the 50lb mark. Whether you are sight-fishing for barbel in a clear river run or targeting a plateau on a deep pit, Hampshire is a county that rewards precision and patience.