April – River Fly Selection

April is a key month for river fly fishing in the UK, with improving water temperatures and increasing insect activity bringing more consistent opportunities.

Large Dark Olives remain one of the most reliable hatches throughout April and are often the backbone of early spring dry fly fishing. Depending on weather and river conditions, hatches can range from steady to prolific, particularly during overcast or humid days.

As the month progresses, we should also begin to see Grannom Caddis hatches on rivers where they are present. These can bring exciting but often brief spells of surface activity, with fish sometimes feeding confidently once the hatch is established. Stonefly activity may also become noticeable on suitable rivers, especially on faster, well-oxygenated systems.

Towards the latter part of April, Hawthorns can start to appear during warm, settled conditions. When these terrestrial insects are blown onto the water, they can trigger sudden and often frantic feeding, particularly along tree-lined banks. These opportunities are usually short-lived but can offer some memorable sport when timing and presentation align.

Subsurface patterns continue to play an important role throughout April. During quieter periods between hatches, nymphs, shrimp, and other subsurface food sources remain an important part of a trout’s diet, making them a reliable choice when surface activity slows.

The flies in this collection have been selected to reflect typical UK April river conditions, covering both the increasingly important surface hatches and the dependable subsurface patterns that continue to produce fish throughout the month.

If you’re unsure which flies best suit your local river or current conditions, we’re always happy to offer advice.