Chalk Stream · Chalk · Berkshire / Wiltshire

River Kennet

River Kennet venue image
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The Kennet rises from chalk springs and flows down through Berkshire with a quiet, steady confidence — it is not as famous as the Test and for that reason it is better.

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
  • Temperature9328% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity5512% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
9.6°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
10°C
Wind
SW 17 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1008 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.3 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
10.1 mm
Moderate 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), Feeding time 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
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.

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Directions
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About this water

The Kennet rises from chalk springs and flows down through Berkshire with a quiet, steady confidence — it is not as famous as the Test and for that reason it is better. The water is clear, the banks are intimate (you are never far from a bridge or a road, which means human company is easy to find), and the fish, though selective, are not apocalyptically so. It is the chalk stream where a working angler might actually afford a day or two. Mayfly hatches May–June are excellent, particularly in the upper reaches around Ramsbury and Axford where the water is narrower and the hatch more concentrated. Blue-winged olive evenings (April–June, September–October) produce reliable dry-fly sport. The Kennet responds well to small dries (size 14–16) and nymphed emergers during the hatch. Outside the hatch window, nymph-and-feather tactics (pheasant-tail, hare's-ear) work steadily. Winter (October–March) brings outstanding grayling fishing on small duns and spider patterns. Access is through clubs and syndicates; check with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and local fishing clubs for day-ticket availability.

  • Chalk
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 April → 30 September
  • Grayling16 June → 14 March
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts