Ask ten fly fishers about the best month to fish in the UK and you’ll probably get ten different answers. That said, after spending enough cold mornings on riverbanks and enough warm evenings watching rises, I reckon May edges ahead of the pack for most of us.
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There’s something magical about May that just clicks for fly fishing. The mayfly hatches are starting to happen on many waters, water temperatures have climbed to that sweet spot where trout become properly active, and we’ve finally got some decent evening light to work with. You’re not freezing your fingers off during those early sessions anymore, but it hasn’t turned into the baking heat of July that can make fish sulky and difficult.
The dry fly fishing in May can be absolutely phenomenal. Those classic chalk streams down south are coming into their own, and even the northern rivers and stillwaters are producing consistent surface activity. There’s nothing quite like watching a good fish sipping down mayflies in the evening light, working out the rhythm of its rises, and presenting your fly at just the right moment. When it all comes together, this is fly fishing at its finest.
What really sets May apart is the variety on offer. If you fancy targeting trout on rivers, conditions are generally spot on. Fancy a crack at some reservoir rainbows? The fish are fit, aggressive, and haven’t seen every fly pattern under the sun yet. Even our wild brown trout in the hill streams and lochs are becoming more cooperative as the water warms and insect life explodes.
The hatches themselves deserve a mention. Beyond the famous mayfly, you’ve got a proper buffet of aquatic insects emerging. Olives are still going strong, sedges are beginning to appear, and on stillwaters the buzzer fishing can be outstanding. I’ve had days in May where I’ve needed to change flies four times in an evening just to match what the fish were keyed into at that moment.
Now, I know some of you will argue for June, and fair enough. June can be brilliant, especially if you time it right with a good mayfly hatch. But I find May just that bit more consistent. The fish haven’t been hammered by anglers all season, they’re hungry after spawning and winter, and the weather tends to be a bit more settled than April while still fresh enough to keep fish active all day.
For those fishing stillwaters, May is when those big stocked rainbows are still in peak condition. They haven’t had months of angling pressure to wise them up, and they’re feeding hard. A team of nymphs or a booby on a floating line can produce some seriously good fishing. If you’re after browns, they’re looking up more regularly now, which makes stalking individual fish an absolute joy.
The practical side of May fishing appeals too. You’re not battling with crowds yet, most waters are fishing well rather than being hit or miss, and the countryside looks absolutely gorgeous. Those long evenings mean you can finish work, grab your gear, and still get three or four hours of proper fishing time in. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had the best fishing of the day between seven and nine in the evening during May.
If you’re looking to upgrade your setup for the season ahead, a decent fly box makes a massive difference to your effectiveness on the water. Being able to find the right pattern quickly when fish are rising saves precious time, and this tackle organizer https://amzn.to/4dbkzUH keeps everything sorted so you’re not fumbling around when it matters most.
Whatever month you reckon is best, the key is getting out there and putting your time in. Every water fishes differently, every year brings different conditions, and local knowledge beats general rules every time. But if you’re planning a few days off for some serious fly fishing and want to stack the odds in your favour, book them in May. You won’t regret it.
Here’s a practical tip for your next May session: carry a small marrow spoon or stomach pump. When you land a fish, a quick check of what they’re actually eating beats guessing every time, especially during those complex evening hatches when multiple insects are on the water together.
