Weekly River & Hatches Update
It’s here, the last week of September, and the end of the chalkstream trout season on many of our beats, with some now going into Grayling fishing in October and beyond. The fishing day is now appreciably shorter, not just because of later sunrise and earlier sunset but because the ambient temperature is falling as the mornings take longer to warm up and the evenings chill down rapidly. Long, lazy lunches definitely become a summer memory as the best of the fishing will mostly be in the middle of the day.
Weather:
The weekend is looking to be rather unsettled, with patchy rain. The week ahead is again going to be cloud with patchy rain and light winds Sunrise: 06:59 Sunset: 18:54 GMT. UV: Medium, Pollen: Low, Pollution: Low. Pressure: 1025mb, Falling
River Flows:
This recent rainfall has been a blessing for our rivers, significantly boosting water levels. Rivers such as the Kennet, Dove, Wye and Coln are still below normal, whilst the Test and Itchen are getting back to normal levels.
Hatches:
By October it is getting easier to match the hatch as there are fewer and fewer hatching species as we approach the end of the year.
Fly Patterns:
My default pattern this month is an Iron Blue Dun especially on damp or blustery days though sedges, daddies and ants will all be effective at any given moment.
Our Seasonal tips:
The first thing to remember, especially if you have not been out since the summer, is that it will be chilly with morning steam rising from the river. Take a hint from nature: do not arrive too early and do not expect to stay late. The lower ambient temperature concentrates the hatches from mid-morning to late afternoon so best to take lunch on the river.
News, events and catch reports:
