The uppermost of the Derwent Valley chain — remote and atmospheric. Bank fishing for stocked rainbows and wild browns. Limited access compared to Ladybower and Derwent below. The genuine wilderness setting rewards effort. No boats.
- Reservoir
- Mixed
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
The buzzer is on at Howden Reservoir. The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently. Early morning is often the most productive window in summer — make the most of it.
Where
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Evening can produce explosive surface takes — try a foam beetle or booby on a long leader. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses.
The plan
Plan A
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Evening can produce explosive surface takes — try a foam beetle or booby on a long leader. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses.
Plan B
If the main plan stalls, drop to a size 14–16 midge — switch to a washing-line or suspender rig and try different depths before you change food group.
Watch for
Silverhorn should come on through the afternoon as the water warms.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 5 with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
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
Rainbow fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
74%
Cloud100%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A good match for Howden Reservoir — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
Howden Reservoir and Dam Terrain map
About this water
Why this score
- Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Clubs & associations
Howden Reservoir
The uppermost of the Derwent Valley chain — remote and atmospheric.
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
The buzzer is on at Howden Reservoir. The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently. Early morning is often the most productive window in summer — make the most of it.
Where
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Evening can produce explosive surface takes — try a foam beetle or booby on a long leader. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses.
The plan
Plan A
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Evening can produce explosive surface takes — try a foam beetle or booby on a long leader. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses.
Plan B
If the main plan stalls, drop to a size 14–16 midge — switch to a washing-line or suspender rig and try different depths before you change food group.
Watch for
Silverhorn should come on through the afternoon as the water warms.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 5 with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
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
Rainbow fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
74%
Cloud100%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A good match for Howden Reservoir — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
Howden Reservoir and Dam Terrain map
About this water
The uppermost of the Derwent Valley chain — remote and atmospheric. Bank fishing for stocked rainbows and wild browns. Limited access compared to Ladybower and Derwent below. The genuine wilderness setting rewards effort. No boats.
- Reservoir
- Mixed
Why this score
- Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Clubs & associations