Weekly River & Hatches Update
July is the month for the evening rise, probably the most regular mealtime the trout have. Even on apparently perfect fishing days flies may not hatch in the morning or afternoon, but there will usually be a rise of some sort in the evening. You will often be fishing tiny flies that are hard to see, so be prepared to work at following them on the water. The trout have got lazy so you need to be deadly accurate with your casting and unless you can precisely track your fly you won’t know whether it is covering the target fish.
Weather:
The weather is set to warm up again this week, with average temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees. Lots of sunny intervals and gentle breezes. Sunrise: 05:21 GMT. Sunset 21:04 GMT. UV: Moderate, Pollen: Low, Pollution: Low. Pressure: 1018mb, Steady.
River Flows:
The river flows are now ranging from between low to normal as rated by the Environment Agency, but feedback suggests that they are still fishing well, with lots of trout rising to the dry! Focus on the deeper pools and subtle currents where the trout will be feeding.
Hatches:
My general rule again for July is to be eclectic in your fly choices and be prepared to change a lot. If your target fish ignores a fly more than twice, change size or fly. See the different patterns below – not one predominant fly to use.
Fly Patterns:
Mixed fly patterns noted again in the past seven days. Interestingly, Beetles have been a popular favourite, along with the Black Gnat, Elk Hair Caddis, Greenwell’s Glory and a selection of Midges. The Daddy Long Legs has also been a success in catching the otherwise inert brownies. Not forgetting the versatility of the Pheasant Tail Nymph in its ability to imitate a diverse number of aquatic insects.
Our Seasonal tips:
Lighter gear, accurate casting and delicate presentations of smaller flies make all the difference. In the warmer weather, chalk streams tend to offer cooler water, but in the highest temperatures, be very cautious, observant and handle fish with extreme care.
News, events and catch reports:
