Weekly River & Hatches Update
As the end of May approaches, there is still time to make the most of the mayfly hatch and into the first week of June! But you may find it a little more challenging: Identifying and matching the hatch gets harder and the fish will be more prone to focus on particular flies or a stage in their emergence. But that is very much what fly fishing is all about!
Weather:
The prolonged warm spell has certainly felt more like midsummer than late spring, although a welcome change is on the horizon, with cooler temperatures and more unsettled conditions expected. Highs of 21 degrees this week, with gentle breezes and showers.
River Flows:
River levels across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Dorset continue to run between normal to below normal, following a long spell of hot and dry weather, with very little rainfall recorded over the past week. Water clarity remains good on most chalkstreams, although reduced flows and warmer water temperatures are beginning to affect conditions in some areas.
Hatches:
Late May has brought some excellent fly hatches across our chalkstreams, with steady appearances of olives, caddis, sedges and of course, the majestic Mayfly activity throughout the day. Do come prepared with a fly for every occasion!
Fly Patterns:
The classic Mayfly French Partridge, Mohican, Grey Wullf and Green Drake have been strong contenders in the last week, as well as emerger patterns. It is important to understand the mayfly life cycle so you can adapt your fly accordingly – from nymph to dun, to spinner. If your beat allows, a gold head pheasant tail nymph or olive nymph might also be effective for fishing deeper pockets of water.
Our Seasonal tips:
With the warmer temperatures, do take care when out on the water - sun cream, a hat and plenty of water are essential. You may prefer to start later and fish into the evening rise when it cools down a little. Please also take extra care when practising catch and release during these high temperatures. Handle fish carefully and keep them in the water wherever possible to help minimise stress and support their recovery. During the brighter parts of the day, target shaded water and fish using smaller, delicate flies.
News, events and catch reports:
