Meldon sits in the Okement Valley on the northern edge of Dartmoor, fifty-seven acres of clear granite-filtered water with the dramatic tors behind and a steep-sided bank that takes some getting used to. The trout average six to seven inches — small, dark, properly wild — with the occasional larger fish to surprise you when you've stopped expecting one. Bank only; the sides are steep enough that bank access is genuinely limited rather than 'limited' in the brochure sense. Bring sensible boots. There's no permit and no fee; an EA non-migratory rod licence will see you through. The reservoir's exposed position means wind is usually a factor, and on a still evening in June the trout will rise to a small dry with the deliberation of fish that don't see much pressure.
Good drifting conditions on Meldon Reservoir
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
The buzzer is on. Olives may also come into play as the day warms. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes.
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
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. 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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
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
6 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
The factors driving today's verdict
- Temperature (moderate) is in the sweet spot for late spring fishing.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Meldon Reservoir, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedMeldon Reservoir · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
Meldon sits in the Okement Valley on the northern edge of Dartmoor, fifty-seven acres of clear granite-filtered water with the dramatic tors behind and a steep-sided bank that takes some getting used to. The trout average six to seven inches — small, dark, properly wild — with the occasional larger fish to surprise you when you've stopped expecting one. Bank only; the sides are steep enough that bank access is genuinely limited rather than 'limited' in the brochure sense. Bring sensible boots. There's no permit and no fee; an EA non-migratory rod licence will see you through. The reservoir's exposed position means wind is usually a factor, and on a still evening in June the trout will rise to a small dry with the deliberation of fish that don't see much pressure.
- Reservoir
- Granite
Meldon Reservoir · directions
How to get to the water
Meldon Reservoir · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
- Trout15 March → 12 October
Meldon Reservoir
Meldon sits in the Okement Valley on the northern edge of Dartmoor, fifty-seven acres of clear granite-filtered water with the dramatic tors behind and a steep-sided bank that takes some getting used to.
Good drifting conditions on Meldon Reservoir
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
The buzzer is on. Olives may also come into play as the day warms. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes.
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
A good match for this venue — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. 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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
- Temperature (moderate) is in the sweet spot for late spring fishing.
- 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.
Terrain map
Meldon sits in the Okement Valley on the northern edge of Dartmoor, fifty-seven acres of clear granite-filtered water with the dramatic tors behind and a steep-sided bank that takes some getting used to. The trout average six to seven inches — small, dark, properly wild — with the occasional larger fish to surprise you when you've stopped expecting one. Bank only; the sides are steep enough that bank access is genuinely limited rather than 'limited' in the brochure sense. Bring sensible boots. There's no permit and no fee; an EA non-migratory rod licence will see you through. The reservoir's exposed position means wind is usually a factor, and on a still evening in June the trout will rise to a small dry with the deliberation of fish that don't see much pressure.
- Reservoir
- Granite
- Trout15 March → 12 October
Meldon sits in the Okement Valley on the northern edge of Dartmoor, fifty-seven acres of clear granite-filtered water with the dramatic tors behind and a steep-sided bank that takes some getting used to. The trout average six to seven inches — small, dark, properly wild — with the occasional larger fish to surprise you when you've stopped expecting one. Bank only; the sides are steep enough that bank access is genuinely limited rather than 'limited' in the brochure sense. Bring sensible boots. There's no permit and no fee; an EA non-migratory rod licence will see you through. The reservoir's exposed position means wind is usually a factor, and on a still evening in June the trout will rise to a small dry with the deliberation of fish that don't see much pressure.