Rutland Water is the second largest reservoir in England and quite a daunting prospect for the visiting fly-fisher because of its sheer size. Filled with Trout, Zander and Pike, it offers great fly-fishing if you know when and where to go. We use local guide, Al Owen, whose years on the lake and almost constant presence on the water make him the go-to guy for where an how to fish. We target the overwintered large, naturalised Rainbows and Browns when they first come up in the water as a result of the prolific large buzzer hatches in late March, April and May. May and June see occasional Olive and Damsel hatches as well. As the water heats up in June, July and August, fishing becomes more difficult and the aerators are regularly targeted. Good fish can still be caught in the shallows, but only in the early morning or late evening. Back end, the fishing can be excellent in September, October and November as the fish pile on weight for winter by fry-feeding.
Fishing is mostly from a drifting boat skilfully piloted by Al, Gary or Alex
Rutland
Reservoirs
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Pike, Zander
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Rutland is.
See more detail about Rutland Water here
Grafham Water
Reservoirs
Grafham Water is a very large reservoir in Cambridgeshire and quite a daunting prospect for the visiting fly-fisher because of its sheer size. Filled with trout, zander and pike, it offers great fly-fishing if you know when and where to go. We use local guide Al Owen, whose years on the lake and almost constant presence on the water make him the go-to guy for where an how to fish. We target the overwintered larget, naturalised rainbows and browns when they first come up in the water as a result of the prolific large buzzer hatches in late March, April and May. May and June see occasional Olive and Damsel hatches as well. As the water heats u in June, July and August, fishing becomes more difficult and the aerators are regularly targeted. Good fish can still be caught in the shallows, but only in early morning or late evening. Back end, the fishing can be excellent in September, October and November as the fish pile on weight for winter by fry-feeding and uniquely (thank goodness) gorging on large Killer Shrimp. The large #8 hares ear shrimp is a must have fly pattern here.
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Pike, Zander
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Grafham Water is.
See more detail on Grafham Water here
Eyebrook Reservoir
Reservoirs
A beautiful scenic old reservoir with prolific weed beds and fly life. Well stocked with Trout, it has a prolific buzzer hatch in late March, April and May. In late May and early June it also gets a spectacular damsel hatch, particularly in the shallows, and a limited Mayfly hatch as well., In other respects it is similar to its Midland reservoir cousins, Rutland, Grafham and Ravensthorpe. Eyebrook Trout from early May onwards are often on the top of the water particularly in the evenings when fishing dries can provide fantastic sport.
Type of fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Pike
How to fish: Fly: boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Eyebrook Reservoir is
See more detail about Eyebrook Reservoir here
Ravensthorpe Reservoir
Reservoirs
A charming, managabley small old Victorian reservoir with some very big Trout. It has the hatches of large buzzer in March, April, May and a great damsel hatch in late May, June, like Eyebrook, but also a very good sedge hatch from May onward, mostly in the evening. Like Eyebrook, it often sees fish feeding on the surface and anglers can do well with dries.
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Ravensthorpe Reservoir is.
See more detail about Ravensthorpe Reservoir here
Great Stour
River
A true chalkstream, and a little known gem that looks more like the Itchen in some places. The river provides access to spooky little wild Brown Trout of 1/2lb – 1 1/2lbs, but is also run by Sea Trout who can throw you a surprise now and then. Stealthy approach, careful wading and accurate casting is needed, so this river is only available under our metoring service programme of 1 to 1 guiding.
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Sea Trout, Chub, Dace
How to fish: Bank and wading, up stream dry fly only
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to the Great Stour River is.
See more detail about the Great Stour River here
River Test
River
The quintessential English chalkstream and home of upstream dry fly fishing is in much demand, and isn’t cheap. We off everything from 1 to 1 mentoring to corporate/mates parties of up to 5 rods, depending on the available water. The package is flexible, and allows you to choose the number of ghillies, as well as catering options from do-it-yourself, the pub, to full Silver Service at the riverside.
The season begins in April, but fly life really gets going in May, which sees a crescendo at the end of the month, with the famous Mayfly hatch known as ‘duffers fortnight’. Mayfly spinner falls and sedge hatches continue throughout June and fishing continues to be good right through to the end of the season in September
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
How to fish: Bank (no wading), upstream dry fly only
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to the River Test is.
See more detail about the River Test here
Powdermill
Reservoir
A beautiful, secluded little reservoir run by the Hastings Fly Fishers Club. This reservoir comes into its own with a massive ‘Vulgata’ Mayfly hatch. These Mayflies are darker and quite different to their white ‘danica’ chalkstream cousins. The Trout start taking nymphs and emergers in mid-May and then the dark Brown Spinners in the evenings from late May, petering out towards the end of June. Fishing from the bank or a rowing boat (electric outboards are allowed, but not supplied).
Unfortunately, the water heats up quickly in July and fishing becomes increasingly difficult. If you fancy dry Mayfly fishing on a reservoir, then this venue ticks the box
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Powdermill Reservoir is
See more detail about Powdermill Reservoir here
Damerham Fisheries
River
For beginners I prefer to use Damerham in the New Forest which is a complex of clear water lakes on the River Allan that can be very exclusive and private. The lakes being clear mean that you can see the fish and it is much easier to teach beginners because of that.
Dun&Spinner Ltd can lay on a corporate day for up to 10 people of mixed ability/experience or do smaller parties or 1:2:1 tuition/guiding. The link below gives more details of the venue. Attached are some photos of complete beginners catching on previous days there. The day typically starts with a full English in the lodge followed by fishing with hire tackle and instructors for those that need them (myself and son Alex plus Ian from the fishery if we need him). The morning session can be followed by a large buffet lunch with fine wine and beer if requested. Then the afternoon session finishes at 5.00pm. The party can be put up in the village pub (the Compasses) the night before or after the fishing but let us know what suits you in that regard and the sooner the better as the pub is very popular.
The cost will be £300 per head upto a maximum of 10 people. Monday is a good day because the traffic is light on Sunday if you want to travel down the night before. If not then any weekday but Friday is equally good.
Type of fish: Damerham Blue Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
How to fish: Bank (no wading), dry fly and traditional nymphs only
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to the Damerham Fisheries is.
See more detail about Damerham Fisheries here
May
Rutland
Reservoirs
Rutland Water is the second largest reservoir in England and quite a daunting prospect for the visiting fly-fisher because of its sheer size. Filled with Trout, Zander and Pike, it offers great fly-fishing if you know when and where to go. We use local guide, Al Owen, whose years on the lake and almost constant presence on the water make him the go-to guy for where an how to fish. We target the overwintered large, naturalised Rainbows and Browns when they first come up in the water as a result of the prolific large buzzer hatches in late March, April and May. May and June see occasional Olive and Damsel hatches as well. As the water heats up in June, July and August, fishing becomes more difficult and the aerators are regularly targeted. Good fish can still be caught in the shallows, but only in the early morning or late evening. Back end, the fishing can be excellent in September, October and November as the fish pile on weight for winter by fry-feeding.
Fishing is mostly from a drifting boat skilfully piloted by Al, Gary or Alex
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Pike, Zander
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Rutland is.
See more detail about Rutland Water here
Grafham Water
Reservoirs
Grafham Water is a very large reservoir in Cambridgeshire and quite a daunting prospect for the visiting fly-fisher because of its sheer size. Filled with trout, zander and pike, it offers great fly-fishing if you know when and where to go. We use local guide Al Owen, whose years on the lake and almost constant presence on the water make him the go-to guy for where an how to fish. We target the overwintered larget, naturalised rainbows and browns when they first come up in the water as a result of the prolific large buzzer hatches in late March, April and May. May and June see occasional Olive and Damsel hatches as well. As the water heats u in June, July and August, fishing becomes more difficult and the aerators are regularly targeted. Good fish can still be caught in the shallows, but only in early morning or late evening. Back end, the fishing can be excellent in September, October and November as the fish pile on weight for winter by fry-feeding and uniquely (thank goodness) gorging on large Killer Shrimp. The large #8 hares ear shrimp is a must have fly pattern here.
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Pike, Zander
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Grafham Water is.
See more detail on Grafham Water here
Eyebrook Reservoir
Reservoirs
A beautiful scenic old reservoir with prolific weed beds and fly life. Well stocked with Trout, it has a prolific buzzer hatch in late March, April and May. In late May and early June it also gets a spectacular damsel hatch, particularly in the shallows, and a limited Mayfly hatch as well., In other respects it is similar to its Midland reservoir cousins, Rutland, Grafham and Ravensthorpe. Eyebrook Trout from early May onwards are often on the top of the water particularly in the evenings when fishing dries can provide fantastic sport.
Type of fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Pike
How to fish: Fly: boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Eyebrook Reservoir is
See more detail about Eyebrook Reservoir here
Ravensthorpe Reservoir
Reservoirs
A charming, managabley small old Victorian reservoir with some very big Trout. It has the hatches of large buzzer in March, April, May and a great damsel hatch in late May, June, like Eyebrook, but also a very good sedge hatch from May onward, mostly in the evening. Like Eyebrook, it often sees fish feeding on the surface and anglers can do well with dries.
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Ravensthorpe Reservoir is.
See more detail about Ravensthorpe Reservoir here
Great Stour
River
A true chalkstream, and a little known gem that looks more like the Itchen in some places. The river provides access to spooky little wild Brown Trout of 1/2lb – 1 1/2lbs, but is also run by Sea Trout who can throw you a surprise now and then. Stealthy approach, careful wading and accurate casting is needed, so this river is only available under our metoring service programme of 1 to 1 guiding.
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Sea Trout, Chub, Dace
How to fish: Bank and wading, up stream dry fly only
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to the Great Stour River is.
See more detail about the Great Stour River here
River Test
River
The quintessential English chalkstream and home of upstream dry fly fishing is in much demand, and isn’t cheap. We off everything from 1 to 1 mentoring to corporate/mates parties of up to 5 rods, depending on the available water. The package is flexible, and allows you to choose the number of ghillies, as well as catering options from do-it-yourself, the pub, to full Silver Service at the riverside.
The season begins in April, but fly life really gets going in May, which sees a crescendo at the end of the month, with the famous Mayfly hatch known as ‘duffers fortnight’. Mayfly spinner falls and sedge hatches continue throughout June and fishing continues to be good right through to the end of the season in September
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
How to fish: Bank (no wading), upstream dry fly only
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to the River Test is.
See more detail about the River Test here
Powdermill
Reservoir
A beautiful, secluded little reservoir run by the Hastings Fly Fishers Club. This reservoir comes into its own with a massive ‘Vulgata’ Mayfly hatch. These Mayflies are darker and quite different to their white ‘danica’ chalkstream cousins. The Trout start taking nymphs and emergers in mid-May and then the dark Brown Spinners in the evenings from late May, petering out towards the end of June. Fishing from the bank or a rowing boat (electric outboards are allowed, but not supplied).
Unfortunately, the water heats up quickly in July and fishing becomes increasingly difficult. If you fancy dry Mayfly fishing on a reservoir, then this venue ticks the box
Type of fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
How to fish: Fly, boat and bank
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to Powdermill Reservoir is
See more detail about Powdermill Reservoir here
Damerham Fisheries
River
For beginners I prefer to use Damerham in the New Forest which is a complex of clear water lakes on the River Allan that can be very exclusive and private. The lakes being clear mean that you can see the fish and it is much easier to teach beginners because of that.
Dun&Spinner Ltd can lay on a corporate day for up to 10 people of mixed ability/experience or do smaller parties or 1:2:1 tuition/guiding. The link below gives more details of the venue. Attached are some photos of complete beginners catching on previous days there. The day typically starts with a full English in the lodge followed by fishing with hire tackle and instructors for those that need them (myself and son Alex plus Ian from the fishery if we need him). The morning session can be followed by a large buffet lunch with fine wine and beer if requested. Then the afternoon session finishes at 5.00pm. The party can be put up in the village pub (the Compasses) the night before or after the fishing but let us know what suits you in that regard and the sooner the better as the pub is very popular.
The cost will be £300 per head upto a maximum of 10 people. Monday is a good day because the traffic is light on Sunday if you want to travel down the night before. If not then any weekday but Friday is equally good.
Type of fish: Damerham Blue Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
How to fish: Bank (no wading), dry fly and traditional nymphs only
Please look at the Event Calendar to find out when our next trip to the Damerham Fisheries is.
See more detail about Damerham Fisheries here