MEON SPRINGS

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28/1/2023

The five stages of fly fishing

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do We want to catch fish when we go fishing?

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When we go fishing, do we want to catch fish or just go fishing?  In our experience the answer is both.  What we see is that anglers go through five stages in their angling journey and often revert back through them all, sometimes many times.

1 ) "We want to catch a fish..."

Whether your six or sixty, the first desire of any aspiring angler is to catch a fish.  And the first fish caught by anyone will always be a memorable experience.  My first fishing experience (Jamie) is mackerel fishing on an estuary in Brittany, France.  The tide in these waters is ridiculous and we're in a wooden dinghy, with a pair of oars.  For the first couple of hours - nothing.  And then we find the school (the school of mackerel that is).  All we do drift downstream over the school and then row like mad upstream hooking over twenty fish in an hour.  Amazing day and a memory forever.

 
2) "We want to catch lots of fish..."
We find, at Meon Springs that certain people get "hooked" on the sport.  At this stage, all they want to do is catch lots of fish (expensive though that can be).  If they're lucky, they have lots of fish loving relatives or a local pub that will put trout on the menu. (nothing better than getting paid for your hobby!!). 
 
3) "We want to catch a Big Fish..."
And then - there's the stage of hunting a big fish.  Quite often, at Meon Springs, we won't see anglers at this stage as they head to the Big Fish waters such as Dever Springs or Avington.  That said, some anglers will appreciate the value in stalking the bigger fish amongst the smaller ones, rather than taking an over fed monster from among many.
 
4) "We want to catch lots of Big Fish..."
 We definitely don't see anglers in this bracket - as their focus is very different to what we offer... 

5) "We like to fish. No matter what..."
Once an angler has been through the above four stages of the angler's life, they can often become quite relaxed and are happy to fish no matter whether they are catching big fish, small fish, no fish, lots of fish.  It just comes to enjoying the sport in beautiful surroundings, with comaradie and companionship.  Fly fishing really is a sport of life.

Through my years of being at Meon Springs (Greg), I have noticed many anglers go through these stages and - they are not linear.  Many anglers will go through these stages many times through out their fishing life.

 
Here at Meon Springs you will find help to get through the first two stages, with Experience Days and Taster Sessions, as well as helping you with the stalking skills to pick a big fish out from the crowd. (the third stage, that we can support with a One to One).  And when you've been round the stages a couple of times, we are also here as a beautiful water with challenging catch and release lakes to enjoy as part of your fishing repetoire, alongside perhaps exploring new avenues of fishing like the sea anglers mentioned above or some of the renowned fly fishers who venture onto the great rivers, such as The River Test.

We are always keen to learn of your fishing experiences and would love to hear any stories of your first fishing experience, or a memorable moment where you perhaps moved from one stage to another - please leave a note in the comments below.

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15/1/2023

TEAMBUILDING ISn't always easy

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Henry Ford once said ​“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”  I would suggest that he is absolutely right and it is a beautiful moment when one observes a team working together in a fully functioning way. 

Regretfully, we all know that this is not always the reality in a business for many reasons such as unclear direction, limited support, poor organisation.  As well as isolation, disconnection, bullying and power struggles.  And on an individual level, poor self esteem, imposter syndrome, anxiety and lethargy.

Quite often the logical solution for the business is clear as day to the outsider and also those in the business often know what needs to happen, yet these human problems and issues prevent what needs to happen from actually happening.

So what's the solution.  -IMHO, I would suggest that the first step is complete acceptance that these issues are all very human and extremely common in many companies.  For as long as we see each other as separate, different and we are in a competitive environment, there will always be conflict.   

Secondly, I would look at the structure and leadership of the company.  Are the goals clear and well communicated?  Is there good organisation and feedback?  What is the level of tolerance to poor behaviours and how are poor behaviours dealt with.  These kind of actions will at least help everybody to pull in the same direction.

Thirdly, I would find a way to bring people together in a different environment, where they can have some fun together and see each other in a different light.  Very often the problems arise because of false stories that people make up about each other.  If these can be gently surfaced and released and whole new lease of energy and engagement can arise.

Building a team is an ongoing and ever changing process.  If you're a leader focusing on and facing up to the human issues, you will be 99% more successful than most.  And as you will know, it isn't always easy.
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At Meon Springs, we offer the opportunity to bring teams together for meetings and other activities that help build teams.  Our environment is quite unique and not necessarily 100% comfortable.  Our meeting room is in an 18th Century barn, which is spacious and quite airy.  Many of our corporate activities (fishing, shooting, bushcraft, axe throwing, archery) are mainly outside, which can be challenging for some, particularly if the weather is inclement. 

Interestingly, what we often find is that the more inclement the weather the stronger the team comes together and the more memorable the day.

We do also offer indoor options such as art courses and wellbeing sessions like yoga.  This gives helps teams develop their creative abilities and learn how to relax and be comfortable in each other's company.  

One of the best activities we offer is the Team Camp or Yurting Experience.  This is where the whole team come and stay in our Yurt Village for 24 hours.  On the first day, they might have a meeting and do some teambuilding activities after which they have an evening of campfires, barbecues and fun.   The shared accommodation might not feel comfortable at first - however by the end of the experience, this has generally been overcome and many close friendships have been developed. ​

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8/1/2023

How to choose A GLAMPING HOLIDAY

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For many reasons, we of course know that our Yurt Village or Shepherd's Huts will not be suitable to meet the needs of everyone's glamping holiday.  For one, we might not be in the right area and also there may not be opportunities to do the activities that you would like to do (we are in the Hampshire countryside, which is great for walking, with nice views and country pubs but really wouldn't be so good if you want to go mountain climbing).
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So, how is best to choose your Glamping break?  Firstly, as with all decisions, it is good to zone out a little and consider the context of what you are looking for.  Is it, for example, a family holiday?  A getaway with your partner?  A sporting or activity break that rocks your boat (talking about boats, maybe it's more of a sailing holiday that you are looking for).  And when you're doing this - don't be selfish.  Consider what your partner or children want.  Perhaps your partner is a keen angler - in which case a break in one of our Shepherd's Huts by Meon Springs Fly Fishery would rate highly in your consideration.  Although it might be that your partner really prefers luxury comforts - in which case, you would probably fare better to take them on a spa holiday. 

When it comes to Glamping, there are many shapes and structures to choose from.  Each with there advantages and disadvantages.  Below is a list of some of them, with a few comments, which you may or may not have considered.​
Structure
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Tent
In its most basic form, Glamping could consist of a posh tent.  This would make a simple and low cost holiday, albeit with the work and effort required to put the tent up and transport all the paraphanalia that goes with camping.  There are some great online websites where you can find campsites, such as www.pitchup.com and campsites.co.uk.  One site we hear really good reports about is Blackberry Wood in Sussex, although we haven't camped there ourselves.
Bell Tents
Glamping up from a tent would be to purchase or hire a Bell Tent.  If you purchase your own Bell Tent, you will have the hassle of carting it around and putting it up yourself - not impossible if you don't mind a bit of hard work.  

If you would rather the work taken out of it, you would be best to look for a Bell Tent site.  That said - a word of caution.  If the weather is even a little inclement, the romantic pictures that made you choose the location on the website might not say anything about the flapping canvas, mud and soggyness (if that's a word) that you could experience in anything other than beautiful Summer weather.  There are a number of ways to find Bell Tent sites around the country.  Indeed, even at Meon Springs, we have an option to hire out a Bell Tent site and undertake a weekend of Bushcraft activities, with Embers Bushcraft, exclusively for you deep in one of our woods.  This experience works well for families and for stag/hen dos.
Safari Tents
Now -these are very posh tents and there are outfits such as Featherdown Farms that generally do them very well.  Indeed a couple of neighbours of ours in Hampshire have an array of Safari Tent options.  Take a look at Cedar Valley or Brocklands Farm.
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Safari Tent holidays are very good for young families. 

However, they don't get you completely away from the "flappiness" if the weather is bad.  That said, is there any family that actually gets away from "flappiness" from time to time.
Yurts
Yurt Holidays - now that's a thing we could talk about for a long time.  At Meon Springs, we have six Mongolian Yurts in our Yurt Village and have been offering them out for holidays since before the time that "Glamping" was actually a word.

Yurts are great for families.  Particularly young families.  Their round, unique structure and colourful patterning creates something that children find quite magical.

Do they flap - well yes, a little.  But their origin from the Steppes of Mongolia means that they are designed to handle a wind.  And that they do, very well.
Pods
Now pods are the first "non flappy" glamping accommodation structure that we are going to talk about.  And they come in many shapes and sizes. 

​If you wish to stay in a top end, award winning pod in Hampshire, I would suggest contact my friends Sam & Naomi Burge, who run The Pigsty (honestly it is anything but a Pigsty) just outside of Winchester.  It is the poshest Pod that you ever did see. 
Shepherd's Huts
Shepherd's Huts are another glamping structure close to our hearts.  Here at Meon Springs, we have six of them of varying shapes and sizes.  One of them (Hawthorn) is a "duo" arrangement of two huts with one set of facilities (outside).  The others have all the facilities in the huts themselves.

The Shepherd's Huts are always busy with people.  Particularly couples, where one likes fly fishing and the other just wants to chill out and enjoy the Hampshire countryside.  

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Whitewool Farm
East Meon, Petersfield
​Hampshire GU32 1HW

  • Home
  • Fishing
    • Fishing School >
      • Fishing Taster
      • Experience Days
      • One to One
      • Children Fishing
    • Fishery Club
    • Fishery Booking
  • Glamping
    • Yurt Village >
      • Yurt Details
    • Shepherds Huts >
      • Hut Details
    • Activities >
      • Local Area
      • Walking
      • Cycling
      • Trout Fishing
      • Woodland and Bushcraft
      • Dogs
    • FAQs
    • Booking
  • Self Storage
  • Corporate
    • Hospitality >
      • Fly Fishing
      • Clay Shooting
      • Fishing and Shooting
      • Catering
    • Teambuilding >
      • Leadership Development
      • Team Development
  • Clay Shooting
  • Other
    • Events >
      • Art in The Barn
      • Vintage Day
      • Members Lunch
      • Ladies Day
      • Fishing for Forces
      • Three Fly Challenge
      • Cafe
      • Bistro
    • Wetland >
      • Groundwater
      • Regenerative Farming
      • Regenerative Drainage
      • Nitrate Mitigation
    • Embers Bushcraft
    • Vouchers >
      • Fishing Vouchers
      • Shooting Vouchers
      • Glamping Vouchers
      • Art Vouchers
    • Farming
    • Contact
  • Blog