With the chalkstream rivers flowing at great levels and holding a low temperature, the mayfly mayhem now someway behind us and the June weed cuts completed prospects for the rest of the trout season are looking very promising.

The upper reaches of all the rivers had good weed growth but lower down the valleys there appeared to be very little to cut as the weed had grown very slowly if at all. There may be much more to cut in the middle of July according to a keeper who maintains a middle River Test beat.

Upcoming chlakstream weed cutting dates on main rivers:
River Test
Tuesday 12th July through to Friday 22nd July including clear off days.
River Itchen
Monday 4th July through to Wednesday 13th July including clear off days
River Avon
Monday 25th July through to Friday 5th August including clear-off days.

The months of July and August are often considered to be the most challenging on the chalkstreams but approached correctly these months can be some of the most rewarding. Go slowly not rushing from fish to fish but spending time observing the trout’s behaviour before casting a line. Slow and steady will win the day. The main stay of hatches will be olives and sedges.

Blue Winged Olive, chalkstream, dry fly

Usually the best times will be early morning and late evening fishing right up to dusk with long lunches in the middle of the day. If allowed, fishing at first light can be very productive with dead spinners ( egg laying females) on the water from the previous night’s hatches and newly emerged Caenis or Fisherman’s Curse.

As the name suggests hatches of the smallest member of the Ephemeroptera group of flies can be very frustrating as the fish when feeding on these tiny flies lie very close to the surface a very accurate delivery of an artificial is essential, anything else with be totally ignored.

Artificials for the summer months:

Pheasant Tail Nymph
CJ’s Ducks Dun
Tup’s Indispensable
Parachute Adams
Sherry Spinner
CDC Olives
Cinnamon Sedge
Elk Hair Caddis.
Black Gnats

If you would like more information on any of our chalkstream fishing and the summer availability please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.