A southerly has held for 10 hours at much the same temperature as the 12°C water. No thermal steer either way, but the drift still stacks food against the northern end — the bank it is blowing into — so start there. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
Start with Perch Fry (8–10 long shank) — on the point. As evening approaches, switch to dries or emergers if you see surface activity. Too windy to fish from a boat today — stay on the bank, on the sheltered shore.
A fry-imitating pattern stripped through the margins can save a blank in autumn.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Hatch predictions
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Hatch predictions
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Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Fly recommendations
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Conditions are away from Spelga Reservoir's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with cloud skies.
Spelga is a high Mourne reservoir and one of the more attractive wild-trout stillwaters in the DAERA estate. The water is exposed, weather-sensitive and much more like an upland hill water than a manicured stocked fishery. It suits anglers who are happy with modest trout sizes, moving weather and classic dark-fly tactics.
Spelga is a high Mourne reservoir and one of the more attractive wild-trout stillwaters in the DAERA estate.
A southerly has held for 10 hours at much the same temperature as the 12°C water. No thermal steer either way, but the drift still stacks food against the northern end — the bank it is blowing into — so start there. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
Start with Perch Fry (8–10 long shank) — on the point. As evening approaches, switch to dries or emergers if you see surface activity. Too windy to fish from a boat today — stay on the bank, on the sheltered shore.
A fry-imitating pattern stripped through the margins can save a blank in autumn.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
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 4 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.
Conditions are away from Spelga Reservoir's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with cloud skies.
Spelga is a high Mourne reservoir and one of the more attractive wild-trout stillwaters in the DAERA estate. The water is exposed, weather-sensitive and much more like an upland hill water than a manicured stocked fishery. It suits anglers who are happy with modest trout sizes, moving weather and classic dark-fly tactics.
