The current extreme heat continues to break records, with March 2024 being the hottest since at least 1884. Such conditions stress cold‑water species like trout and pike, forcing anglers to rethink their targets.

When freshwater remains your focus, choose cooler venues. Higher-altitude rivers on Exmoor and Dartmoor can stay several degrees cooler. Alternatively, target chub, roach and carp, which thrive in warm conditions. The author highlights the joy of species diversification, from guided bass days on the Exe Estuary to grayling sessions on cooler rivers. He also shares his enthusiasm for books that blend fiction and fishing, such as “Criminal Bycatch,” which mixes crime narrative with bass angling. In heatwaves, he suggests moving away from stressed trout populations and embracing species that handle warmth better. Keeping fish wet, exploring new water types and maintaining a flexible mindset ensures that high temperatures don’t end your fly‑fishing season.