A westerly has held for 7 hours, running colder than the water (10°C air against 11°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered western 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.
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 gusts make a boat hard to hold — anchor in the lee or fish the sheltered bank.
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.
Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds as a supporter.
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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)
Hatch predictions
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Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Fly recommendations
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A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Terrain map
- Wind conditions (strong) are not ideal for this water.
- Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
- Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
- Trout 28 February → 31 December
Stithians Reservoir
A westerly has held for 7 hours, running colder than the water (10°C air against 11°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered western 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.
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 gusts make a boat hard to hold — anchor in the lee or fish the sheltered bank.
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.
Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 3 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.
Fly recommendations
Point fly shown — supporters see the whole team, sizes and why.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Terrain map
- Wind conditions (strong) are not ideal for this water.
- Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
- Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
- Trout 28 February → 31 December