River Avon – Chalkstream Fly Fishing

Chalkstream fly fishing on the River Avon offers some of the best fly hatches throughout the south of England. Two headwater streams feed the Hampshire Avon, both rising in the Vale of Pewsey. The East Avon comes from chalk whereas the West Avon rises in greensand, and it is because of this the River Avon is not considered to be a chalkstream in the strictest sense of the word. Persistent heavy rain early in the season can leave the river a little coloured but it quickly clears only affecting the the river for a few days. From summer through to the end of the season the water clarity is comparable to that of many chalkstreams.

River Avon; the haunt of Frank Sawyer and Oliver Kite

The River Avon has a very special place in the history of Chalkstream fly fishing. Oliver Kite, who lived at Netheravon, devised the ‘Kites Imperial’ to represent the LDO upwinged fly. Another notable inhabitant of Nethervaon was Frank Sawyer who was the river keeper of the Services Dry Fly Association. He devised the simple but very effective ‘Pheasant Tail Nymph’ which is probably the most successful and most copied trout fly in the world.

Below the confluence of the East and West Avon, and just above Upavon, the River Avon runs through chalk down the valley to Salisbury and beyond. Downstream of Salisbury the river is mainly a coarse fishery and crosses into the county off Hampshire south of Downton. From below Fordingbridge there are a number of Salmon fisheries before the river reaches the sea at Christchurch.

The River Avon trout season starts on 1st April in time to catch hatches of grannom and large dark olives (LDO) and continues through until 15th October. Consistently good fly hatches especially Mayfly (Greendrake) which once started can continue for many weeks make the River Avon a firm favourite for fly fishermen.

Oliver Kite who lived at Netheravon devised the Kites Imperial to represent the LDO upwinged fly. Another notable inhabitant of Nethervaon was Frank Sawyer who was the river keeper of the Services Dry Fly Association, he devised the simple but very effective Pheasant Tail Nymph probably the most successful and most copied trout fly in the world.

EASY REACH OF LONDON

Although slightly further than the River Test, Fly Fishing the River Avon is in easy reach of London and many other main towns in the south of England. Whether you drive, fly or get the train it will not take long to reach the fishing.

For those looking for longer stays in the area, we can combine the River Avon with other chalkstream fly fishing options in the area. There are numerous accommodation options suitable for all types of stay, from small B&Bs to full Country House Hotels.