A southeasterly has held for 7 hours at much the same temperature as the 17°C water. No thermal steer either way, but the drift still stacks food against the north-western end — the bank it is blowing into — so start there. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
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.
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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.
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.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
A good match for Washburn Valley Fisheries — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.
Looking across the Washburn valley and reservoir 
Fewston Reservoir 
Swinsty Reservoir Terrain map
- Temperature (moderate) is in the sweet spot for autumn fishing.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
- Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
- Trout 1 April → 30 September
Washburn Valley Fisheries
A southeasterly has held for 7 hours at much the same temperature as the 17°C water. No thermal steer either way, but the drift still stacks food against the north-western end — the bank it is blowing into — so start there. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
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.
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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
Start free trial14-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 trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
A good match for Washburn Valley Fisheries — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.
Looking across the Washburn valley and reservoir Fewston Reservoir Swinsty Reservoir Terrain map
- Temperature (moderate) is in the sweet spot for autumn fishing.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
- Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
- Trout 1 April → 30 September