Stillwater · Mixed · Scottish Borders, GB-SCT

Coldingham Loch

Wide view across Coldingham Loch, a spring-fed trout fly fishery in the Scottish Borders near St Abbs.
Fair · Rainbow
Minkie · 6-10
Fairlive now
Daddy Longlegs expected on Coldingham Loch
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
60% confidence

Coldingham Loch is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSE 35 km/hFresh breeze
Today's fly
Minkie
Minkie6-10
Retrieve, sub-surface
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Fresh breeze
SE 35 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
Wave60 cm wave
Water temp15.0°C
Air temp14°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1011 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Head to
Wind driftSE wind
South-eastern end

A southeasterly has held for 15 hours, running colder than the water (13°C air against 15°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered south-eastern end instead — off the back of the wind, where the undertow returns food along the bottom. That chill sits in the top of the water, though, and the bed is slower to feel it — on a bottom bait it is the undertow, not the temperature, that puts you at this end. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
The buzzer is on. Sedge may also come into play as the day warms. The breeze will be blowing terrestrial insects onto the water — check the wind lanes and downwind margins for rising fish.
Where
Work Black Pennell on the bob, Olive on the middle dropper, and Marabou Damsel on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Work Black Pennell on the bob, Olive on the middle dropper, and Marabou Damsel on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Boat — at anchor

Windy conditions suit anchoring in productive areas rather than open-water drifting.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Fly box · Rainbow
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
57%
Cloud50%
Wind30%
Temp100%

A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 5
  1. Wide view across Coldingham Loch, a spring-fed trout fly fishery in the Scottish Borders near St Abbs.
    Coldingham Loch
  2. Coldingham Loch seen from an elevated position with surrounding upland grassland, Scottish Borders.
    Coldingham Loch from the hillside
  3. An angler fishing from a boat on the open water of Coldingham Loch, Scottish Borders.
    A boat angler at Coldingham Loch
  4. Angler fishing at Coldingham Loch with the lochside cottage and boathouse in the background.
    Fishing at Coldingham Loch
  5. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
  • Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for autumn fishing.
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 15 March → 31 October
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts