I guided on 18th June on the River Itchen between Winchester and Eastleigh and the river is looking better than I’ve ever seen it before.  After the drought of the last couple of years the rains of the last three months have set the springs springing.  The river is now running full, fast and vey clear.  Much of the accumulated silt has washed away and the river is looking very fresh and lively.  Its great to see.  I also noticed that the fish were fighting very hard.  I think this was down to a combination of the stronger flow, deeper water and increased oxygen content in the water.

Larger dry flies worked well, especially a size 12 grey Klinkhamer, and my client Bill from Melbourne caught lots of fish, including wild Brown Trout and Grayling and stocked Browns.

If you can go to the River Itchen go!