May is here, and with it the eagerly anticipated arrival of the mayfly hatch across the chalkstreams. It’s the moment fly fishers wait all year for, when trout turn their attention to the surface and some of the most exciting dry fly fishing of the season begins. With access to a range of exceptional private country estate waters, we offer memorable days on the river for everyone.
The Magical Mayfly Hatch
As spring tips toward summer, the English chalkstreams begin their most spellbinding performance: the mayfly hatch. For a few fleeting weeks, these gin-clear rivers come alive as clouds of pale duns dance above the water and the trout, usually so measured, abandon all caution. It’s the season when preparation, patience, and a perfectly presented fly are rewarded in unforgettable fashion. For us fly anglers, nothing quite compares to mayfly time on a chalkstream.
It is possible to secure your preferred mayfly dates now, whether a single angler or group. So do not hesitate to contact us for details on availability.
New available dates are being announced regularly at the moment, so if you cannot see the date or river you would like to fish, please do contact us for more details.
Prime Mayfly Fly Fishing Availability 2026:
Week: 11th May to 17th May 2026
Monday 11th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Private Estate, Middle River Test – 1 to 2 rods
Tuesday 12th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Wednesday 13th May:
Barton Court, River Kennet – 1 rod
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Private Estate, Middle River Test – 1 to 2 rods
Thursday 14th May:
Barton Court, River Kennet – 1 rod
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Wherwell Estate, River Test – 1 to 2 rods
Friday 15th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 4 rods
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Saturday 16th May:
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Sunday 17th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Week: 18th May to 24th May 2026
Monday 18th May:
Barton Court, River Kennet – 1 rod
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Tuesday 19th May:
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Wednesday 20th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Saturday 23rd May:
Wherwell Estate, River Test – 1 to 2 rods
Sunday 24th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Week: 25th May to 31st May 2026
Monday 25th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Tuesday 26th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Wednesday 27th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 4 rods
Thursday 28th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Friday 29th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 rods
Saturday 30th May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 rods
Sunday 31st May:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Week: 1st June to 7th June 2026
Monday 1st June:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Tuesday 2nd June:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Langford, River Wylye – 1 to 2 rods
Wednesday 3rd June:
Barton Court, River Kennet – 1 rod
Thursday 4th June:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Private Estate, Middle River Test – 1 to 2 rods
Friday 5th June:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Saturday 6th June:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 4 rods
Private Estate, Middle River Test – 1 to 2 rods
Sunday 7th June:
Compton Chamberlayne, River Nadder – 2 to 6 rods
Private Estate, Middle River Test – 1 to 2 rods
Wherwell Estate, River Test – 1 to 2 rods
The weed cutting dates have been finalised for the 2026 season, view the River Test dates HERE and the River Itchen dates HERE.
View our latest Chalkstream Fishing Brochure HERE.
For more information about fishing on the chalkstreams please contact Alistair Routledge or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
