Weekly River & Hatches Update
Finally, the greatest month in the fly fishing calendar has arrived. The hawthorn is blossoming, the flies are hatching, the trout are rising, and the chaos of Mayfly is only just over the horizon. Welcome to May!
Weather:
We have enjoyed a long-lasting spell of warm weather over the last few weeks, March and April were notably dry months with very little rainfall and temperatures reaching as high as 28 degrees on 01/May. This week has been cooler, with average temperatures of around 16 degrees, overcast and breezy. The forecast for next week is another dry one; bright and sunny skies, with slightly milder average temperatures of 20 degrees and moderate breezes from the East. Sunrise: 05:24 GMT Sunset 20:42 GMT, UV: High, Pollution: Low. Pressure: 1018mb.
River Flows:
The river flows currently range between normal and below normal as rated by the Environment Agency. Whilst there has been limited rainfall in the last few weeks, the chalk stream aquifers are still brimming after a wet winter, so the gravels are bright and clean. Thankfully, the riverbanks are drying out (finally!), so in most cases walking boots will suffice, though a pair of wellies or thigh waders might just help coax your quarry to the water’s edge.
Hatches:
This week Grannom and Hawthorn hatches have predominated the fly life, with prolific hatches reported on the middle River Test and Itchen beats in particular. Excitingly, the Mayfly hatch is only just around the corner, so wherever you are fishing this week, I hope you might just see some in their fleeting bursts. Until now, some have been seen but ignored by the fish, so I suspect the prime order of the day will be Large Dark Olives and, especially when damp and blustery, the Iron blue. Generally, as for much of April, I would expect surface action to be predominately on the days when it warms up around midday, so arrive late, lunch late and fish later wherever possible.
Fly Patterns:
If you strike gold this week and find a few rising trout, they are most likely slurping up Hawthorn, Olives, or perhaps in some lucky places, even an early Mayfly. Patterns to keep at the front of fly box are Hawthorn, Adams, Large Dark Olive, and Iron Blue Dun, but you never know, it might just be worth keeping a French Partridge up your sleeve! When the clouds draw in and the hatches slow up, Nymphs, where permitted, might just unlock that extra fish. I would concentrate on a lightly weighted Mayfly Nymph, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear and the humble PTN, a Pheasant Tail in 12, 14 and 16.
Our Seasonal tips:
As a general rule, we would expect surface action to be predominately on the days when it warms up around midday. The afternoons are warmest and the resounding sweet spot this week, when fly life has peaked, has been 3pm. On that basis you do not need to turn up early; if you are shivering in your jacket, you can imagine the insects will feel much the same and do not plan a long lunch away from the river.
News, events and catch reports:
