No no Allan I didn't mean it that way. I was going to ask what it was you didn't like if you had been and that I can thouroughly recommend it if you hadn't. I think it's the sort of thing every Fly fisherman should try to do once.
You're right in that it is violently expensive on almost all of the beats but I suppose that's dictated by the market to fish on such an "esteemed" and "fabled" river system. I've spoken to some people down there who have travelled from all over the world to specifically fish the Test or Itchen or whatever. I have had all realatives get me vouchers for birthday's, Christmas etc for the last couple of years which eases the pain! Some of the other chalkstreams (Avon, Nadder, Lambourne, Kennet, Wylye etc) are a lot cheaper and just as scenic and enjoyable.
Your also right that there are many beats on the Test (and other chalkstreams) that supplement their wild fish with stocked Browns but what managed trout rivers don't nowadays? Some parts of the Don do I believe? At least they use stock bred from the wild river fish nowadays. All rainbows are to be killed if caught...The Itchen does have some beats that are totally "wild" and unstocked but then the prices become ridiculous.
Personally, I love it on the chalkstreams. I make several "pilgramages" a year (pretending to visit the parents!) and have been really lucky so far in that I always seem to get the beats to myself and it is idyllic, get away from it all stuff with Gin clear water and beautiful fish. It is a different type of fishing with as much (if not more) watching and stalking than actual casting and some of the rules (e.g. upstream dry only until July, upstream dry and "traditional" nymph only therafter, no wading etc) can seem a bit stuffy but they're their rivers and their rules...you soon get used to it. Some beats are a lot more relaxed than others too. I also think that there is a lot of rubbish written about how to fish Chalkstreams which scares people off thinking that they have to be some sort of super-human with Jedi instincts to dare to chuck a fly on the water. Any reasonably experienced fisherman will have a great time and catch fish. Any novice will soon become a good fisherman. Trout are Trout whatever river they're in afterall, they don't know how much you are paying to catch them!
The Grayling fishing in the winter is superb too and very cheap.
I've got my first visit booked for the 2nd of May and am already counting the days.
Cheers,
Ewan