Gilly Bate, southern chalk stream guide and Fly Odyssey UK Director offers her go to flies for the Southern English chalkstream fishing during the quieter period of June and July.
After the feast of the mayfly the trout return to a more selective feeding pattern and size of fly can be an important factor.
Blue winged olives should be making a steady appearance so try Blue duns, blue uprights and don’t forget sherry spinners towards the end of the day with the fish sipping them off the surface. Medium duns, small olives should all be present so try green wells glory size 16, parachute adams and green wells glory size 16. Lunn’s particular size 16.
CDC F flies in olive size 16 – 18 are always good when olives are present and emerging and small olive klinhammers.
Sedges are ever present and increase slightly in size as the season progresses. Walkers red sedge and Elk hair are great for cinnamon sedges size 12 – 14. There are also plenty of black sedges to be seen, Davey’s black sedge and CDC black F fly size 14 – 16.
Caenis or ‘Anglers Curse’ should start to make a more regular appearance but they can be very tricky to catch on and tie on!
Nymphs may be allowed on certain beats but please be sure to check your rules. Weighted pheasant tails but size 16 – 18 and Gold ribbed Hares ear are usually successful. Again size can be very important.
The Test and Itchen has seen pressure on the fish during the mayfly period with large numbers of fishermen present on the river so the fish will have become more wary. Try lighter rod set ups such as 4 or 3 weights, longer leader lengths and lighter tippet for the smaller flies. Stealth and presentation of flies with single casts will also increase your chance of catch returns.
Tight lines.
Gilly Bate
Fly Odyssey UK Director