FLIES & TACTICS

SPRING

Early Springtime the reservoir is heavily stocked and the overwintered residents are keen to feed. The stockies respond particularly well to black patterns, with perhaps a touch of fluo green, fished a couple of feet down on an intermediate line.Try a variety of retrieves, fanning around the water. The fresh stockies shoal tight and are influenced by wind direction so fish well downwind, even though this may not be the most comfortable position.

The residents do respond to lure fishing, but sunk buzzers also work well, and a stick fly near the bottom on a slow retrieve will work for residents and stockies.

On warmer days emerger or small dries will entice the fish, especially if they have started feeding naturally. Again black is the predominant colour.

Look for the hawthorn fly appearing in April or May, as these are abundant on the surrounding moorland and a good breeze will bring these ungainly creatures onto the water to create a frenzy from the trout.

SUMMER

A bushy pattern such as a grey wulf will work in a big wave, while calm water calls for a small dry such as a grey duster or midge.Later in the Summer the fish go deep during the day but late evening will see sedges hatching off and a G & H or suchlike, or an invicta will produce.Try the sedge pattern stationary, twitched or pulled.

Summer sees the buzzer fishing in full swing, with smallish patterns (14-18) most effective in a variety of colours. Suspender or CDC buzzers perform well either static, or sometimes figure of eight retrieved. Sometimes the trout will chase a stripped fly if a wake is created, but at other times will only look at a stationary fly.

Look out for winged ants on the water for the trout will become totally pre-occupied if they are about, but a fair imitation fished static will bring fish to the net.

AUTUMN/WINTER

Autumn is a very prolific season, particularly as the temperatures cool. The sedge are still around, as are the buzzers, red being a very effective imitation. A dry daddy static in calm conditions or pulled in a wave will bring results, and small black beetle imitations score.

Winter sees a return to small lures but buzzers and small dries will work if temperatures are low.