The chalkstreams River Avon, River Test, River Itchen, River Kennet, River Anton and River Wylye, in the counties of Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, comprise some of the most prized chalkstream trout fly fishing in the world. They are set in some of the most picturesque countryside, water meadows, villages of thatched cottages and historic cities of England. Such famous fly fishing writers as Frederic Halford, G.E.M.Skues and Sir Edward Grey developed the sport to new heights here during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Avon is of course associated with Frank Sawyer and the Pheasant tail Nymph.
Most of the chalkstream trout fly fishing is within an hours travel time from central London by car or train.
What is a Chalkstream?
The English chalkstreams are characterised by naturally filtered alkaline water of exceptional clarity and lush waterweed, creating an environment in which the Trout thrive and grow to large sizes. Grayling fishing is excellent and unusually for the UK they can be caught on a dry fly even in the winter. The clarity of the water means that both Trout and Grayling fishing often involves sight fishing for individual fish….creating real excitement and added interest to the fishing. The very best fishing is often in the shallower clearer upper reaches of the main chalkstream rivers and in the tributary streams. Some beats are best waded but others do not allow wading. Some beats are dry fly only until 1st July but some allow nymph right from the start of the season. The open seasons vary slightly from river to river. The Trout season starts on the River Wylye on 1st April but some River Test beats do not open until 1st May. May and June often provide the cream of the season’s dry fly fishing with the autumn usually being almost as good. In early-October the Trout season ends and we switch to Grayling fly fishing until their season ends on 14th March.
Rather than random casting covering the water chalkstream trout fly fishing demands a completely different style and attitude which sets it apart from fly fishing in our other types of rivers and lakes.
Although the same basic equipment is used the clarity of the water means that our method and approach has to be very different. Stealth, observation and pinpoint casting will result in success.
It is usual to only cast to either rising fish or those that we can clearly see feeding subsurface on nymphs. The tactic is to start at the bottom or downstream end of the beat and work slowly upstream, stopping frequently to scan the immediate area in front but also being aware of any movement further upstream. On well managed beats benches or often placed at reasonable distances along the bank side usually in positions that give the angler a good view of the water ahead, these are not placed there to rest weary limbs but to encourage the slow pace of this type of fishing. While sitting quietly and carefully studying the stream many other aspects of the countryside can be witnessed, the bank side flowers and the birds singing in the bushes all part of the chalk stream fishing experience.
Chalkstream Trout Fly Fishing
Rods of between 7 ½ and 9’ throwing lines from 3# to 5# are the norm these days the shorter rods for small brooks and streams with the longer and slightly heavier on wider stretches of the river Test and Avon. Leader length is governed by the size of fly and wind conditions prevailing but as a generalisation nothing shorter than 9’.
Fishing pressure on the larger popular rivers means that there is usually some form of artificial stocking of mainly brown trout although a few fishery owners on the river Test system still supplement with rainbow trout.
“God did never make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling”. (Isaac Walton)
Fly fishing on the chalk streams gives a person the opportunity to get away from the pressures of modern life and return refreshed at the end of the day whether having caught fish or not.. It restores the human spirit. It is a calm sport that prepares us to deal with everyday life. If catching fish were the only goal, fishing would lose is fun and excitement and become just a chore.
Cast little and watch a lot will bring success.
