May Chalk‑stream Dawn
River Test below Stockbridge: May chalk‑stream dawn
River Test below Stockbridge opens into a classic late‑spring window at first light where Grannom caddis and early duns sketch pale ripples on the film and brown trout and grayling patrol the soft seams.
Target the slower chalk runs and glide tails through Stockbridge, Houghton and Mottisfont; Romsey beats downstream will pick up the same hatch later. Look for 0.8-1.5 m water, shallow crease lines, far‑bank undercuts and foam lanes where pupae ride just under the surface.
Morning beats & tactics
Start with subsurface work on emergers and caddis pupae in dim light. Carry Grannom caddis adult in size 14–16, caddis pupa/emerger size 14–16, X-caddis or CDC caddis and a small Olive emerger in 16–18. For later mayfly windows have hare’s ear mayfly nymphs and dun patterns in the box.
Use a 12-14 ft leader tapered to 4X–5X for dries and emergers; drop to 5X–6X if fish are spooky on flat glides. Keep floatant minimal and a supple tippet to let the fly sit in the film. Early light means nymph/emerger first, switch to dries as the hatch thickens and trout lift.
By pale dawn a trout will break the surface beneath a drifting dun, a soft brown flash against chalky water and the bank smelling of cut grass.
Recommended: tapered fly leader