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.
Reasonable summer fishing likely at Spelga Reservoir
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
A useful ripple on the water, wind around 31kph.
55% confidence in this read
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
NW 31 km/h
Fresh breeze
Wave
60 cm wave
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
12°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
1021 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for brown trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
April–September
Where
Start with Spent Gnat (12-14) on a As per local method. Midday in warm weather — try deeper water or switch to a sinking line.
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
The plan
Plan A
Start with Spent Gnat (12-14) on a As per local method. Midday in warm weather — try deeper water or switch to a sinking line.
Plan B
If the main plan stalls, drop to a size 14–16 midge — switch to a washing-line or suspender rig and change drift line before you change food group.
Watch for
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
Bank, sheltered shores
In wind, bank fish the lee shore — boats can anchor in productive areas if conditions allow.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
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
Why this score
- Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
- Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for summer fishing.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Spelga Reservoir · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Spelga Reservoir, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedSpelga Reservoir · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
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.
- Reservoir
- Granite
Spelga Reservoir · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Spelga Reservoir · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 March → 31 October
Spelga Reservoir
Google Places
Spelga is a high Mourne reservoir and one of the more attractive wild-trout stillwaters in the DAERA estate.
Species
Reasonable summer fishing likely at Spelga Reservoir
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
A useful ripple on the water, wind around 31kph.
55% confidence in this read
Conditions
Wind
NW 31 km/h
Fresh breeze
Wave
60 cm wave
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
12°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
1021 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
57%
Cloud50%
Wind30%
Temp100%
A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
April–September
Where
Start with Spent Gnat (12-14) on a As per local method. Midday in warm weather — try deeper water or switch to a sinking line.
The plan
Plan A
Start with Spent Gnat (12-14) on a As per local method. Midday in warm weather — try deeper water or switch to a sinking line.
Plan B
If the main plan stalls, drop to a size 14–16 midge — switch to a washing-line or suspender rig and change drift line before you change food group.
Watch for
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
Bank, sheltered shores
In wind, bank fish the lee shore — boats can anchor in productive areas if conditions allow.
Why this score
- Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
- Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for summer fishing.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
Directions
About this water
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.
- Reservoir
- Granite
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 March → 31 October
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
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.
Other water nearby · 5
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