The moment the mayfly season started on the Avon

[@geoffreyshort5380]

Excellent video. Just back from a week on the chalk streams including the Hampshire Avon.

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Thanks very much - it's really fun making them. I hope your chalk stream fishing was as exciting as it can be, and that the Avon was kind. I've got about eight videos shot, but no time to edit them! I'll have to crack on with it, and not keep sneaking out to go fishing.

[@jamesbarr1620]

Am jealous lol excellent video 👍🎣

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Thanks James! It is a lovely spot, and I do feel pretty lucky.

[@jamesbarr1620]

@@Afoolandhistackle if am ever down your way will deffo pop in for a cast if permission granted sawyer nymphs all the way lol

[@davidprocter1585]

Nice work Ben, I love the idle chat and thoughtful muttering, but you really need the pipe to carry this off properly! A tonic, sessions like this. You've inspired me to look for mayfly tonight! The "coloured" water is like ours when it's gin clear! 😊

[@Afoolandhistackle]

It was a lovely session - I actually had six fish, but I somehow switched my chesty to photo mode, so I failed to film three of them. Silly me. Good luck with the mayfly - I saw a few on the Water of Leith when I was up there ten days ago, so I wouldn't be surprised if the warm weather brings them out. You're now the second person suggesting that I am basically Jack Hargreaves. I'd better tidy my shed.

[@davidprocter1585]

@@Afoolandhistackle 🤣🤣

[@garyjohnson4778]

The river looks a picture. What could be better than being out on a day like that and casting and catching rising fish?

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Thanks, Gary. It does look lovely, and it's starting to clear again after all that rain. I'm not sure what beats standing knee deep in a chalk stream casting to rising trout.

[@MalluBrightonia]

Well done 👍 I am new to this type of fishing. Do you have a video about how to set up a real? I have one with no line on it !? Also do we need a fishing license to fish in private farms and fisheries ? Thank you

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Hi Mallu, I haven't done any instructional videos yet, though I bet there are some on KZbin somewhere. To fish for trout in England, you need a rod licence (www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence), though you'll probably have one already for coarse fishing, if it's just trout fishing you're new to. Then you'll need to buy a day ticket or membership for most fisheries that are worth fishing in the UK. If you're new to fly fishing, I recommend getting some casting lessons, and probably starting off at a stillwater, where the banks are cleared to make casting easier.

[@Tjk186]

Hi Ben, just wondering if the Mayfly is up on your part of the Avon?...all the best, tight lines

[@Afoolandhistackle]

It looked like it was going to start early in May, but then it fizzled out when it got wet again, and has never got going after that. I really thought they would show up tonight (2nd June) cos this is peak mayfly time and it’s been sunny and warm all day, but I’ve seen about five. It may get better, but the lazy so-and-sos haven’t gone long…

[@Afoolandhistackle]

Update: June 2nd 8pm - a small number of mayflies are laying their eggs now and a few fish are taking them. Maybe it’s finally starting after all.

[@notabiologist9865]

Any Salmon/ Sea Trout in your garden?

[@Afoolandhistackle]

In late December/early January I've seen a number of salmon, including some that spawn here, but I haven't seen any for a few years. We haven't had especially wet winters, so the level hasn't been high enough for the salmon to make it up as far as my stretch, in recent years. In any case, the river levels need to be high, but the water also needs to remain clear enough to be able to see the fish, which doesn't happen that often. I've had a few trout that have had a yellowish tinge, which friends of mine who regularly fish for sea trout think *might* indicate that they were sea trout, but we're a long way from the sea, so even if they were, they don't get this far up that often.

[@notabiologist9865]

@@Afoolandhistackle wonderful that its even a possibility...I'm waiting for your first Salmon post then...

[@Afoolandhistackle]

@@notabiologist9865 It would be brilliant if they were to turn up this winter. I'd definitely try and film them. I've always believed that the salmon fishing season is closed from the 1st of September until the 31st of January on the Hampshire Avon, and I've never seen any fish at my stretch outside those dates, so I won't be fishing for them. If you, or anyone else, knows that's wrong, let me know, and maybe I'll be buying a salmon licence some day soon...