Fly fishing in England

In 2002 I had the pleasure of being in Southern England and fishing a beat on the River Test, something very special to a Yank like myself. It was my first experience of fishing in Europe and I found it very expensive(in excess of 200 lbs / almost $400 U.S) for a half day) Is it possible to fly fish in England on any public water where one has more than an ample chance at scoring on trout or salmon where no fee or a nominal one (less license cost)is charged?