5-acre spring-fed stillwater fly fishery at Muddiford near Barnstaple, fed by clear Exmoor spring water and stocked from the on-site trout farm with rainbow and brown trout. Premier North Devon trout venue with smokehouse, tuition, campsite and cabins.
A patient day, if you fancy it
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for brown trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
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.
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
Windy conditions suit anchoring in productive areas rather than open-water drifting.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
5 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
The factors driving today's verdict
- Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Blakewell Trout Farm and Smokery, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedBlakewell Trout Farm and Smokery · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
5-acre spring-fed stillwater fly fishery at Muddiford near Barnstaple, fed by clear Exmoor spring water and stocked from the on-site trout farm with rainbow and brown trout. Premier North Devon trout venue with smokehouse, tuition, campsite and cabins.
- Fishery
- Mixed
Blakewell Trout Farm and Smokery · directions
How to get to the water
Blakewell Trout Farm and Smokery · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
- Trout1 April → 30 September
Blakewell Trout Farm and Smokery

5-acre spring-fed stillwater fly fishery at Muddiford near Barnstaple, fed by clear Exmoor spring water and stocked from the on-site trout farm with rainbow and brown trout.
A patient day, if you fancy it
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Conditions are away from this venue's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with mixed skies.
Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
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.
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
Windy conditions suit anchoring in productive areas rather than open-water drifting.
- Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
5-acre spring-fed stillwater fly fishery at Muddiford near Barnstaple, fed by clear Exmoor spring water and stocked from the on-site trout farm with rainbow and brown trout. Premier North Devon trout venue with smokehouse, tuition, campsite and cabins.
- Fishery
- Mixed
- Trout1 April → 30 September
5-acre spring-fed stillwater fly fishery at Muddiford near Barnstaple, fed by clear Exmoor spring water and stocked from the on-site trout farm with rainbow and brown trout. Premier North Devon trout venue with smokehouse, tuition, campsite and cabins.