June on the Teign

A Fly-Fisher’s Delight, A Soul’s Revival

Ah, June - that glorious transition between spring’s promise and summer’s full bloom. It’s the month when the Dartmoor rivers swell and burst with life, the evenings stretch lazily past supper with a golden glow, and the trout (finally) start to look up consistently in search for food. For those of us in the know, June is a sacred window of fly-fishing magic, the best of the season. And if you’re not yet part of that club - well, we think this is the perfect time to get involved.

There’s something deeply special about being out on the River Teign at any time of day (or night!) in early summer. The air feels lighter. The bracken bursts in a rich, psychedelic green. And the fish? They’re hungry, wild, and always waiting.

The River in June - A living, breathing wonder

The River Teign winds its way from the high granite flanks of Dartmoor’s high moor down through ancient woodlands and open moorland valleys. In June, the whole landscape hums with vitality and represents a near-perfect image of pristine river habitat. There’s something almost cinematic about it all - dippers bob over the riffles, deer ghost past in the early morning, and clouds of insects rise and fall like breath over the water.

June, for me at least, is peak fly fishing season. Brown trout feed freely on surface hatches in the milder temperatures, and if you’re lucky (or just stubborn), you might cross paths with a sea trout - darting upriver from the estuary, chrome bright and full of strength. Sea trout are the wildcards of the river! I like to think of brown trout like poetry, whereas sea trout are pure punk rock!

Whether you’re drifting a dry fly down a slow glide or working a nymph through a deep pool, you’re surrounded by one of Devon’s, if not Britain’s, most breathtaking environments. And the best part? You rarely have to share it with more than the local wildlife, and yes, this does include Terry (not Terry)!

Our very own water pirate - Terry (not Terry!)

Never fished before? You’re already halfway there

Now, let’s address the tangle in the room: fly fishing can look complicated. There’s talk of tippets, leaders, double-hauls, emergers, olives (not the pizza kind), and terms like ‘presentation’ that sound more like a corporate PowerPoint than a pastime!

But here’s the secret - Underneath all this mystery and terminology, it’s actually quite simple. At its heart, fly fishing is just about being present in a beautiful place, slowing down, and trying to tempt a fish with something that looks vaguely edible. Sure, you’ll get things wrong, you’ll put your fly in a tree. You might even fall in (we all have). But you’ll also laugh, learn, and maybe even land a wild Dartmoor brown trout - and when you do, it’s pure magic.

We’ve even put together a tongue-in-cheek Dartmoor Fly Fishing Survival Guide to help you through the early days. It’s a mixture of advice, reassurance, and warnings about sheep that watch you a bit too closely!

Better still, and on a more serious note, we’ve got a welcoming bunch of seasoned anglers - people who want to help you succeed and get started. Think of them as a cheerful gang of fly-fishing fairy godparents, just with rods rather than wands!

Mental health, nature & flow

In our modern world of deadlines, notifications, and endless scrolling on mobile devices, stress has become a kind of background radiation that’s hard to ignore or escape from. I think too many of us spend our days disconnected from the natural rhythms of life and nature, rarely pausing, rarely breathing deeply, rarely just being present.

This is where fly fishing becomes more than just a pastime. It becomes a refuge - It becomes sanctuary.

When you step into a Dartmoor river for the first time, something shifts. The phone is off, mainly due to no signal, so please ensure you at least tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back!. This escape allows the mind to quiet. And with this, your senses awaken: the smell of moss and wild garlic, the reassuring pressure of flowing water against your legs, the flick of a trout breaking the water’s surface to rise to a fly. You’re present. Entirely. Not in a forced ‘wellness’ way, but in a true and genuine, forgot-what-time-it-is kind of way.

Thankfully, today, there’s growing scientific research backing what anglers have known for centuries: spending time in nature reduces anxiety, boosts mood, and improves focus. Add the purposeful movement of fly casting - gentle, flowing, meditative. Within this you have a practice that nurtures both body and mind.

For many of us, especially post-pandemic, it’s not just recreation - it’s necessary healing. A chance to reclaim time, space, and mental clarity. To feel human again and often with the best of company in the most beautiful of surroundings.

Trout, trees & tiny miracles

The wild brown trout of Dartmoor aren’t just fish. They’re living descendants of an ancient ecosystem. Hardy, perfectly adapted, and maddeningly clever, they’re the ultimate quarry for the patient angler. Every one is earned and every one is a small miracle.

And there’s something deeply satisfying about learning the river - its pools, its moods, its secrets. You’ll begin to notice the way that cloud cover changes a hatch of insects, or how a sudden hatch of something edible can electrify the water. Over time, you’ll see the landscape differently. You’ll become part of it. And that’s a feeling money can’t buy.

Sea Trout - The silver ghosts of the Teign

Let’s not forget the other stars of June: the sea trout. These fish are mysterious, powerful, and capable of turning a peaceful evening into an adrenaline-fuelled tug of war. They are often more active at dusk or night and will tend to move upstream (or generally just up and down the entire catchment, as our research from the RTRP has proved) after rain, slipping through pools under the cover of twilight like spirits. Hook one, and your hands will shake. Land one, and you’ll remember it for the rest of your life.

Ready to begin?

We’d love to see more new faces on the river this June. Whether you’re looking for a new pastime, an escape from the digital grind, or just a good excuse to wear head-to-toe Gore-Tex in the woods, fly fishing might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed!

I’m keen in getting people out on the river, so please, drop me a line, explore our News section for more stories and tips. Based on numbers and interest, we’ll put you in touch with one of our local anglers and organise some time on the river. Trust us, they’re a helpful, hearty bunch and they’ll probably lend you a fly or two (though they may grumble a bit about it first, especially if you pick out one of their favourites!)

Final thoughts

You don’t have to be an expert. You don’t need fancy gear. You just need a bit of curiosity and the willingness to let the river teach you over time.

Because June on Dartmoor isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about remembering that there’s a world beyond emails, beyond commutes, beyond the constant hum. A world of running water, rising trout, and real, restorative peace - and it’s waiting for you to explore it!