Angling guide and instructor Dan O’Neill reports on the opening day 2026 on the Nore and Kings River.
So at last it arrived, the 2026 season. What a wonderful day it was. I have been tying flies on my Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages over the past few weeks. It was mainly patterns that I use quite a lot in the early season. Nice buggy looking patterns making them look a worthwhile and substantial meal for any Brown Trout. The Nore itself was at about 1.3m, so I was limited to which pools I could visit. The Kings River, however, offered me several pools to fish. My chosen methods were dry dropper and streamer fishing. These are mostly what I fish early season, and I also enjoy it too. The tight quarters of the Kings makes the casting challenging, and you really have to think on the spot. Strolling to the entrance of the Kings brought me back to the same time last year as I had a face full of sleet and the noise it made hitting my waterproofs. This year, however, there was no sleet but a brisk wind, we can deal with that š
Getting to the river, it was as beautiful as I remembered, looking up the river at its many glides and currents almost called you up there, although I stayed focused and took my time along theĀ river. MyĀ first technique was dry dropper where I was using a klink tied by Marco Bonneto, which supported my 2.5mm nymph. It didnāt take too long to meet my first trout of theĀ season. ItĀ wasnāt a big fish, but the twisting and turning, along with light gold flashes just under the surface, was a sight that was very welcome.
I did have a few more little trout as I made my way up theĀ run. FishĀ were mostly at the tail end to mid sections of the runs.
I fished the Nore itself for an hour and again had some small trout on the same methods, mostly around Georgeās wall, very exciting watching the trout let their guard down and chase the streamer right to the edge, even more so when they grab it in front of you.
Getting out of the water and having a cup of coffee with half an Easter egg was my little reward, and I enjoyed it as I watched the river pass by with time. Some of my senses woke up and I got the feeling I was being watched, I did expect to perhaps look up and see another angler but as I looks around I noticed I was being watched by 3 deer, thereās something majestic and connecting about being out in nature and of course being watched by it to, sitting on the bank with a cup of coffee with a now half eaten Easter egg made me aware it wasnāt just the fishing and the trout that I missed. Sometimes, very simple things can be called āthingsā rather than privileges, which is exactly what they are.
I do hope you all enjoyed the opening day and have a very enjoyable 2026 season. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming shows and events and of course on the riverbank too. Be sure to bring an Easter egg, and I will swap it for the secret pattern.
Enjoy and stay safe, Dan
Go Fishing…
