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.
Where
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 plan
Plan A
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.
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
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Supporters see the full sub-surface read.
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.
Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
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
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
Howden Reservoir and Dam Terrain map
About this water
Why this score
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
- Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Boards & regulators
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.
Where
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 plan
Plan A
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.
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
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Supporters see the full sub-surface read.
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.
Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
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
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
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
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
- Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Boards & regulators