Start with Floating Fry (8–10) on a Fish as a single fly. 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.
Slow down everything. A booby on a fast-sinking line, left static, can pick up deep fish.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank fishing near inflows, dam walls, and weed beds. Move to find feeding fish.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
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Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.
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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 cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
It is run as a dedicated fly venue with a clear small-water identity rather than a broad mixed coarse complex. The fishery suits anglers looking for a managed stillwater with practical access, a settled trout-fishery setup, and enough structure to make presentation matter.
A long-established Sussex fly fishery set in quiet countryside near Ashdown Forest, offering stocked trout fishing from the bank and from flat-bottomed boats.
Start with Floating Fry (8–10) on a Fish as a single fly. 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.
Slow down everything. A booby on a fast-sinking line, left static, can pick up deep fish.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank fishing near inflows, dam walls, and weed beds. Move to find feeding fish.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
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 cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
It is run as a dedicated fly venue with a clear small-water identity rather than a broad mixed coarse complex. The fishery suits anglers looking for a managed stillwater with practical access, a settled trout-fishery setup, and enough structure to make presentation matter.
Ashdown Forest Fly Fishery is a stillwater fishery in South East / East Sussex, England. The catchment geology is recorded as sandstone, and the water sits at about 172 m above sea level. Species listed for this water: brown trout and rainbow trout. The trout season is recorded as running from 1 January to 31 December. Best window recorded for anglers: March–June, September–October. Core methods listed: bank nymph fishing; boat nymph fishing; dry fly. Nearby waters in our listings include Chalybeate Springs Trout Fishery at 14 km, Lakedown Trout Fishery at 19 km and Bough Beech Reservoir at 22 km.
