An easterly has held for 9 hours, running colder than the water (11°C air against 15°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered eastern end instead — off the back of the wind, where the undertow returns food along the bottom. That chill sits in the top of the water, though, and the bed is slower to feel it — on a bottom bait it is the undertow, not the temperature, that puts you at this end. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
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.
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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
In wind, bank fish the lee shore — boats can anchor in productive areas if conditions allow.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
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Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.
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Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.
A remote moorland reservoir in the Forest of Bowland — 66 hectares of exposed water at altitude. Boat and bank; the exposed position means wind dictates tactics. Stocked with rainbows and browns. The Bowland setting provides genuine wilderness fishing. Managed by United Utilities.
A remote moorland reservoir in the Forest of Bowland — 66 hectares of exposed water at altitude.
An easterly has held for 9 hours, running colder than the water (11°C air against 15°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered eastern end instead — off the back of the wind, where the undertow returns food along the bottom. That chill sits in the top of the water, though, and the bed is slower to feel it — on a bottom bait it is the undertow, not the temperature, that puts you at this end. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
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.
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.
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
In wind, bank fish the lee shore — boats can anchor in productive areas if conditions allow.
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 5 as a supporter.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.
A remote moorland reservoir in the Forest of Bowland — 66 hectares of exposed water at altitude. Boat and bank; the exposed position means wind dictates tactics. Stocked with rainbows and browns. The Bowland setting provides genuine wilderness fishing. Managed by United Utilities.
