Chalk Stream · Chalk · Hampshire / Wiltshire

Hampshire Avon

Hampshire Avon terrain map
Terrain map

Sawyer's river — England's premier grayling river and home of the Pheasant Tail Nymph.

Species

A proper day on the water

Low and clear — careful approach country. Stay small, stay accurate.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
10°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature9428% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity5012% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
9.7°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
9°C
Wind
SW 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1009 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
8.1 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (50).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Grayling seasonSeason
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
Brown SedgeHatch
2
3
2
Freshwater ShrimpHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Blue Winged OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Directions
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About this water

Sawyer's river — England's premier grayling river and home of the Pheasant Tail Nymph. Larger and more varied than the Test or Itchen: upper Avon (above Salisbury) is classic chalk stream (clear, weedy, prolific hatches); below Salisbury it broadens into something richer. The induced take was developed here — nymphing is not a compromise, it's a tradition equal to dry fly. Salmon run the lower river. Grayling are exceptional, some of the largest in England, making winter fishing remarkable. Frank Sawyer's legacy still defines fishing here.

  • Chalk
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 April → 15 October
  • Grayling16 June → 14 March

Salmon: Negligible (2026) — Genetically distinct chalk stream salmon stock at critically low levels. Conservation priority — not a salmon fishing destination.

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