April 2026 trout & salmon round-up
April 2026 spring reports: regional trout & salmon round-up
Spring conditions across the United Kingdom are producing steady early-season action. Chalk streams remain at the forefront: the Test (Stockbridge) and Itchen (Winchester) report brown trout taking dries and nymphs in shallow riffles (6–18in/0.15–0.45m) as water temperatures sit around 6–9°C. Lake District venues such as Windermere and Ullswater, and Scottish lochs including Loch Awe, Lomond and Ness, are registering surface rises for wild trout and stocked rainbows.
Where banks are firing
Salmon corridors on the Wye, Usk, Hampshire Avon (Fordingbridge) and Tweed (Kelso) show renewed runs in deeper pools. Fish are regular in 2–6ft (0.6–1.8m) lies; classic beats are reporting best during low, clear spells and after mild spates. A stand-out capture at the Mill Pool produced an 8lb Atlantic salmon landed at 3pm on a 1½in Black-and-yellow Tosh fly; the fish fought strongly and was revived and returned after five minutes.
Practical tactics and kit
For trout: upstream dry-fly and tight-line nymphing with sizes 14–20, 9ft 3–5wt rods and 4X–6X tippets work well; set indicators no deeper than the water column. For spring salmon: use swinging wet flies, low-water wet patterns and single-handed presentations with a 9ft 7–9wt single-handed rod or appropriate Spey setup; leaders of 15–30lb are standard. In flows under 6°C slow retrieves and finer, smaller patterns are more effective. Reliable waders, a soft mesh net and quality forceps aid safe handling and prompt release. Local ghillies and Trout & Salmon field reports remain useful for up-to-date beat conditions.
Recommended: breathable chest waders