Weekly River & Hatches Update
April signals the long-awaited return to the river! You are straining at the leash after months of confinement and there are new rods, lines, flies and assorted kit to be tried out for the first time. Successful fishing relies on stealth and matching the sporadic hatches, usually peaking between 10 am and 3 pm.
Weather:
Early April is likely to remain on the cool side, but temperatures should gradually lift towards the end of the month, reaching near or just above average 13-16°C. There may be some more unsettled weather to come, including showers and strong winds so do be prepared ahead of your trip and ensure you stay warm with a light jacket.. April weather can change very quickly!
River Flows:
River flows are currently rated normal to above normal by the Environment Agency. The recent rain has had some effect, but it’s the recharged aquifers from the wet winter we have had, that continue to define conditions- water clarity is looking great although riverbanks may still be rather soggy. So make sure to bring a good pair of boots with you.
Hatches:
Large Dark Olive, Grannom, and possibly some early Hawthorn will predominate hatches this week, as they will for much of April. You can expect the fly life to peak at the warmest parts of the day, when the sun is at its highest for longest. Those days where it remains cool, breezy and overcast, hatches will inevitably be much slower. Use our ever-popular Hatch Calendar to help you match that hatch!
Fly Patterns:
Grannoms size 14 = One of the two speciality hatches this month. This member of the sedge family will hatch for 10-14 days in great abundance, though the hatches may be very localised. Hawthorns 12 -14 and Black Gnats 16-18 = appearing for two weeks starting in the last week of April. Shrimps 14 = Trout love to root round the gravel beds for shrimps. Try a pink or olive!
Our Seasonal tips:
Look for slow, deliberate rises, particularly when hawthorn flies are blown onto the water. A good pair of wellingtons or thigh waders and a long-handled net will undoubtedly make coaxing your quarry to the river bank a little easier.
News, events and catch reports:
