Stillwater · Mixed · South / Oxfordshire, GB-ENG

Farmoor Reservoir

Wide panoramic view across the open water of Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire.
Marginal · Rainbow
Marabou Damsel · 8-12
A patient day, if you fancy it
Water temperature is the limiting factor today, not the wave. Fish dawn or dusk if you go at all, and handle everything with extra care.
43% confidence
limited data
What moved it
  • WindSE 21 km/hModerate breeze
Today's fly
Marabou Damsel
Marabou Damsel8-12
Retrieve, sub-surface
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Moderate breeze
SE 21 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
Wave40 cm chop
Water temp20.4°C
Air temp23°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1011 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

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

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
April–June
Where
Start with Minkie (6-10) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
The plan
Plan A

Start with Minkie (6-10) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.

Plan B

If the main plan stalls, drop to a size 14–16 midge — switch to a washing-line or suspender rig and change drift line before you change food group.

Watch for

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

Either bank or boat

Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds as a supporter.

Start free trial

14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

Start free trial

14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

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
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
49%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp25%

Conditions are away from Farmoor Reservoir's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with cloud skies.

Cooler water nearby · 4
Water here around 20°C — probably warm enough to stress Rainbow . These are likely cooler.
River Coln
32 km
~15°C
Brown trout · Grayling
River Windrush
20 km
~15°C
Brown trout · Grayling
River Leach
23 km
~15°C
Brown trout
Lechlade & Bushyleaze Trout Fisheries
24 km
~20°C
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Gallery · 4
  1. Wide panoramic view across the open water of Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire.
    Farmoor Reservoir
  2. Open water expanse of Farmoor Reservoir viewed from the northern bank with the far shore and sky.
    Looking across Farmoor Reservoir
  3. Farmoor Reservoir water surface viewed across the open reservoir, Oxfordshire.
    Farmoor Reservoir
  4. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Why this score
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
  • Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Big Stillwater Playbookreservoir tacticsReservoir Entomologymatching the hatchThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperature
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Clubs & associations