March grayling staging on the River Anton
A Hampshire chalkstream in March: a little-known tributary where grayling stage before the rise
Location and access
The River Anton, a Test tributary rising near Little Down and flowing through Andover, is one of Hampshire’s lesser-visited chalkstreams. Public access around Anton Lakes nature reserve and the footpaths downstream of Upper Clatford provide discreet entry points. From Andover town centre, routes along the A343 and local bridleways lead anglers to clear glides and gravel runs without trespass.
What to expect during March staging
Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) commonly stage in early spring on Hampshire chalkstreams, gathering in low-energy seams and tail-of-riffle lies ahead of spawning and winter rises. March days often deliver glass-clear water, cold-fed clarity and concentrated fish that feed selectively on early chironomids, emergent caddis and freshwater shrimp. The staging period favours sight fishing before agricultural runoff and higher flows later in spring.
Ideal wading spots, stealth and presentation
Preferred wading spots include downstream tails of short riffles, margins behind mid-channel gravel bars and the lee of overhanging willows. Stealth is essential: long, low-angle approaches, muted clothing and keeping the rod tip high reduce spooking. Presentations for low-clearance spring water should be delicate—long leaders (12–16 ft), fine tippets (5X–6X) and upstream or across-and-drift presentations. Small, natural nymphs work best in the tailing seams.
Recommended flies
Effective patterns for March staging on a Hampshire chalkstream are small submerged offerings: pheasant tail and hare’s ear nymphs in sizes 14–18, micro buzzers in olive or black, and black gnat emerger patterns. A subtle dry-dropper or a long, well-weighted nymph rig presented upstream to a staging seam often produces takes from otherwise cautious grayling.