Chew preparing for Mayfly madness

Spent a few hours on River Chew. The water was low although at the time of writing we are expecting some significant rain over the coming days, so good news. The river did look good though with good water clarity and some lovely clean gravel runs. Luckily the stretch has some fallen tree cover or else it would be tough finding cover in the majority of areas. Bird life busy with Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Whitethroat, Grey Heron and good numbers of Song Thrush. Surprisingly I have not seen the Dipper family on this stretch so far this year. The trout were now well and truly dominant over the Grayling rising into the evening taking the early trickle of Mayfly. Caught on the dry a number of  WBT, one Grayling and a few Dace that looked tired and worn out after spawning.

 

Tough day at the office Wilts Avon

A few hours on the upper Avon in Wiltshire. One of my favourite Salisbury beats  - a nice long wild stretch which despite being next to a fishery is quite lightly fished. Even in the mild conditions and with numerous visible rises fish were hard to tempt. Eventually picked up a half a dozen wild ones and one stockie on the nymph. Grayling less conspicuous this time. Fishery packed with still water anglers but no one on the river.

Rain stops play on the River Chew

Heavy rain forecast but did not arrive until I'd fished for a couple of hours on the lower Chew. Water levels low and the river was wadeable for long stretches normally out of bounds. Lots of Dace about and some nice sized wild trout. The fish were rising infrequently to pick up Grannoms. Once again the odd Yellow May coming off. All my fish took the nymph. Thundery showers set in and cut my session short.