Weekly River & Hatches Update
September time- the final full month of the chalkstream trout season. The shorter days alert the fish to hard times ahead and Keats’ ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ becomes a time to seek out the eager feeding fish.
Weather:
The coming week continues to look unsettled, with risks of stronger winds at the beginning of the week and heavy rain. Take care when out and about and keep up to date with weather warnings. Temperatures will likely be more on the cool side but slowly recovering towards the end of month. Sunrise: 06:35 Sunset: 19:29 GMT. UV: Medium, Pollen: Low, Pollution: Low. Pressure: 1003mb, Falling
River Flows:
September has started well, with over a quarter of monthly rain arriving in the first two days but we have a way to go to catch up on the current deficit of 3 inches on annual rainfall of 39 inches. River flows are moving from low to normal across many sites (as rated by the Environment Agency). However, limestone rivers such at the Gloucestershire Coln and the Derbyshire Dove are really suffering, as are the headwaters of all the major chalkstreams, plus standalone smaller rivers such as the Meon in East Hampshire or the Piddle in Dorset.
Hatches:
Check those cobwebs for Large Dark Olives, Pale Waterys, Midges and Sedges. Terrestrials like the Black Ant and Daddy Long Legs are also common to see and can tempt a chalkstream trout like no other.
Fly Patterns:
In the past week Sedges and Black Gnats have been very successful. Nymph wise, there have been lots of reports of beautiful fish caught on the Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear Nymph as well as small Pheasant Tails. Both effective for a wide range of fishing situations due to their ability to imitate a large variety of aquatic insects.
Our Seasonal tips:
Dusk is a favourite time for surface feeders. Be prepared to stay late and catch the rise! Expect a challenge, you may need to change flies often and treat every fish on merit; there is masses of food in the river so a nymphing fish won’t bother with a dry and vice versa.
News, events and catch reports:
