There’s something brilliant about fly fishing in the UK. We get four proper seasons, and each one offers something different on the water. I’ve spent enough cold March mornings and balmy June evenings riverside to know that timing really does matter, and not just because of the close season.
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Spring is when most of us get properly excited again. The rivers reopen on the 16th of March in England and Wales, and honestly, that first day back feels like Christmas. The water’s usually still got that winter chill to it, but the trout are waking up and looking for food. Large dark olives start hatching when the temperature climbs above about 8 degrees, and if you catch a hatch on a mild afternoon, you’ll see fish rising that haven’t looked at the surface for months. Early spring can be patchy though. One day you’ll have fish feeding like they’ve never eaten before, the next day it’s like the river’s empty. April tends to be more consistent as things warm up properly.
Late spring into early summer is probably my favourite time. May through to mid-June is when British fly fishing really shines. The hatches become more reliable, you’ve got proper evening rises, and the fish are in prime condition. Mayfly season turns everything up a notch, particularly on the chalk streams and certain northern rivers. I’ve seen normally sensible anglers lose their minds when the mayfly really get going. It’s understandable because the trout certainly do. You’ll want a decent selection of mayfly patterns in your box during late May and early June. If you need to stock up, there’s a good range here: https://amzn.to/4dbkzUH
High summer can be tricky. July and August often bring low water and high temperatures, which isn’t ideal for trout. They become lethargic and spooky, and if the water gets too warm, they’ll stop feeding altogether. That said, early mornings and late evenings can still be productive. I’ve had some lovely sessions starting at 7pm and fishing until I can’t see my fly anymore. Grayling fishing picks up as the summer wears on though, which gives you options if the trout have gone into sulk mode.
September is underrated. The water starts cooling down, there’s usually a bit more of it after summer rain, and the trout know winter’s coming. They feed more aggressively, and you get some beautiful autumn hatches. Terrestrial patterns work well too, as beetles and ants end up on the water more often. The midges can be murderous some days, but that’s a small price to pay.
October through to the close season can be exceptional for grayling. While the trout season winds down in early October on many rivers, grayling fishing is just getting good. They’re perfectly happy in cold water, and you can have fantastic days in November and December when everything else has shut down for winter. Czech nymphing and French leader techniques really come into their own, though there’s still the odd dry fly opportunity on milder days.
Winter grayling fishing has its own special appeal. The rivers are quieter, the fish fight hard in cold water, and there’s something satisfying about being the only angler for miles. Just make sure you’ve got proper layers on because standing in a river in January will find any gap in your clothing.
The honest answer about the best time is that it depends what you’re after. For classic dry fly action and reliable hatches, you can’t beat May and early June. For sheer numbers of willing fish, try April or September. For solitude and a proper challenge, winter grayling fishing takes some beating. The close season feels longer every year, but at least it gives us time to sort our gear and tie flies while daydreaming about the next season.
Here’s a practical tip for your next session: whatever time of year you’re fishing, spend the first 15 minutes just watching the water before you start casting. Look for rises, observe what’s hatching, check the water temperature if you can. Those 15 minutes of observation will tell you more about what fly to use and where to cast than any amount of thrashing away will.
