With just two and a half months to go until the southern UK chalkstream trout fly fishing opens for dry fly hungry brown trout, there is frantic tying of dry flies and readying of equipment for opening day. If you are yet to plan your first few fishing trips there are some great openings in April for those looking to blow away the winter cobwebs.
April is an interesting time for chalkstream fly fishing, the first hatches are appearing but they are still condensed into the middle of the day. Good olive hatches are not uncommon as well as the first caddis of the year, the grannom. Both the olives and the grannom drive the trout crazy and it is not unusual to experience terrific dry fly action in the early part of the season.
It is also a great time to capitalise on the budding tree branches before they become too thick with leaves and begin to block access to the largest trout. The young leaves and new shoots of branches are also often kinder on fly loss, they can often bow easily allowing an overshot fly to just slide off safely (this is not a guarantee though!).
Whilst not all chalkstream fly fishing beats are open we have some great access in April to the River Test, Itchen, Avon, Kennet, Frome and their tributaries. See some of great days that are available below:
River Test, Broadlands
Friday 13th April – up to 6 rods
Friday 27th April – up to 6 rods
River Anton, Westover
Wednesday 11th April – up to 8 rods
Sunday 15th April – up to 2 rods
Saturday 21st April – up to 2 rods
Sunday 22nd April – up to 4 rods
Wednesday 25th April – up to 8 rods
Sunday 29th April – up to 2 rods
River Kennet, Denford Water
Sunday 1st April – up to 4 rods
Saturday 7th April – up to 4 rods
Saturday 14th April – up to 4 rods
Monday 17th April – up to 4 rods
Saturday 21st April – up to 4 rods
For more information about chalkstream fly fishing on these beats or others that are available in April please do not hesitate to contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.