My neck of the woods currently

« **on:** 18/05/2024 at 07:47 »

LIving in Hampshire I am fortunate in being surrounded with chalk streams which at this time of the year are quite simply stunning. The ranunculus is forming, mayfly is appearing and cuckoos are singing in the background. We had one of the wettest Winters in recent times and the aquifers are full to overflowing and so even if we have a drought like Summer flows ought to hold up. Nevertheless we will probably see a hosepipe ban again!

« **Reply #1 on:** 18/05/2024 at 09:01 »

Just beautiful

« **Reply #2 on:** 18/05/2024 at 12:18 »

Looks awesome Graham

« **Reply #3 on:** 04/09/2024 at 07:45 »

I was on the Alre yesterday which is a tributary of the Itchen. The river is in lovely condition with luxurious weed and small open gravel patches. Saw quite a few fish but they were skittish and so fine and far off was the order of the day. Fly life was almost non-existent and thus a micro nymph proved to be quite successful. Can't believe we have only one month of the season to go!

« **Reply #4 on:** 04/09/2024 at 12:39 »

Beautiful

You have caught some lovely light there Graham. I find that inspiring

« **Reply #5 on:** 17/10/2024 at 07:50 »

It was my last day of the trout season and so ambitiously tried a small carrier on the upper Itchen. Bit of a shock to find bankside vegetation had grown so profusely that the river had narrowed so much that the banks were almost touching. It also meant that it was a lot deeper than normal and it can be quite a surprise when wading in clear water thinking it is shallow when actually it isn't. A few pale wateries about but nothing on the surface and so resorted to micro nymphs and managed to fool a few. Thank goodness it wasn't windy for accurate casting was required. Good end to the season and now my focus is on grayling.