Pack a chalk-stream box for early Test trout
River Test, Stockbridge — early March hatch window and glassy glides
Five essential dries (sizes 16–22)
Griffith’s Gnat (black, 18–20) — clusters of midges on slick water. Smokejumper (olive/black, 18–22) — midge or BWO emerger. Parachute Adams (16–18) — versatile when a hatch breaks. Elk Caddis (tan, 16) — sedge impressions in riffles. Little Olive Upright (18) — local olive imitation for tight Test runs. Carry three of each pattern.
Five essential nymphs (sizes 14–18)
Pheasant Tail (14–16) as trailer. Hare’s Ear (gold beadhead, 14–16) for emerging profiles. Copper John (14–16) to hold the flow. Perdigon (16) as a fast-sinking anchor. Little Black Stone (14) early attractor. Three of each; fish 12–18 inches under an indicator or on a short-line.
Leader, tippet and short-line rigs
Use a 9ft tapered nylon leader (3X–5X) tied to fluoro. Main tippet 4X (6lb) for 4ft, drop to 5X–6X (4–5lb) for a 2–3ft point; total tippet ~6–7ft for dry turnover. Short-line rig: 3–4ft leader/tippet combo in 4X–6X fluoro, two-nymph dropper 12–18in apart with improved clinch knots.
Presentation & knots
High-stick short-line nymphing. Mend upstream. Keep the rod tip low with a 9ft 3‑4wt rod and dead-drift at roughly 1–2ft/s through 2–4ft glides. Switch to dries when trout rise. Pack a small dry fly box and a separate nymph box; fifty flies fits neatly.
Recommended: classic nymph fly