The season, in the Water Keeper's words
How times change. Not long ago the winterbournes were dry, and MPs stood for photographs in a dry riverbed at Marlborough lamenting the decline of our chalk streams. Our weather patterns are living up to their unpredictable reputation — the last two years have been exceptionally wet, and the dry winterbournes of the Upper Kennet are once again full, flowing strongly and in places thick with ranunculus. These winterbournes provide many miles of valuable spawning habitat for fish from the main river.
This constant period of high flows has cleared silt, washed and moved gravel, and encouraged weed and insect populations to multiply. Our numbers of wild trout are increasing year on year, and the condition of these fish — mostly below one and a half pounds — is exceptional. Please look carefully at the markings of any fish you catch before returning it.
Although fly hatches are not at historic levels, both the Kennet and the Dun at Hungerford continually record the highest numbers of invertebrates in the catchment. Hatches are fickle — dictated by time of year, time of day, water temperature, atmospheric conditions and dissolved oxygen. Feel free to ask for guidance, as they can change very quickly.
— Robert Knight-Starr, Water Keeper
Etiquette
The basic rules and practices for chalk stream fishing are essential and should be understood and accepted by all — but agreement on the positive practices below is more important than a list of things not to do. It is suggested these positive practices are followed in sequence:
- Spot a fish feeding, or liable to feed, by its rise or by direct view
- Decide whether it is a worthy quarry
- Stalk the fish so that it is not disturbed
- Present the fly or nymph so that it deceives the fish into thinking it is natural food
- Remove the fly or nymph, if not taken, as soon as it has passed the fish
Chalk Stream Fishing — Donald Macy
Considerations for fellow Rods
Enjoyment of fishing by everyone can well be spoilt by thoughtless and selfish behaviour. The main causes are:
Crowding
Excessive crowding, cutting in upstream and hustling from below. A distance of at least 50 yards (45 metres) both upstream and downstream must be observed. When moving from one part of the river to another, always use the access paths. Where there are none, keep as far away as possible from the water's edge to avoid disturbing the fish, and give maximum consideration to the activities of other Rods.
Blind casting
Walking up and down the river casting blindly and repetitively — either nymph or fly — is not chalk stream fishing and should be reserved for other waters. It usually does little more than frighten and disturb fish, and is totally banned on this Fishery. Please fish selectively.
Guests, children and partners
Allowing Guests, children and partners who do not know the rules or how to fish to “have a go” is against the rules and is detrimental to the fishing of everyone else. Rods and Commoners are responsible for the behaviour of their Guests, and only Guests of acceptable competence and experience are permitted. In no circumstances may the banks of the river be used as a playground.