Two natural loughs in the Northumberland moors at the headwaters of the Wansbeck — Great Lough (140 acres) and Little Lough (12 acres) — managed as a trout fishery. The moorland setting and peaty water give both waters a character closer to a Scottish loch than an English commercial fishery. Rainbows here fight hard in the cold, low-nutrient water, and the chance of a fish of a lifetime — the kind that earns an immediate retelling — is real enough that regulars plan trips around it rather than treating it as a quick-visit water.
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
38% confidence — limited data
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
W 21 km/h
Moderate breeze
Wave
40 cm chop
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
7°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for rainbow trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for rainbow trout
When
May–September
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Egg Fly on the bob and Bloodworm on the point.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Egg Fly on the bob and Bloodworm on the point.
Plan B
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.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
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
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
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
- Hawthorn Fly is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Detail · next 12h
Precipitation
The reading most likely to move tomorrow's verdict
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Sweethope Lough · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Sweethope Lough, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedSweethope Lough · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Two natural loughs in the Northumberland moors at the headwaters of the Wansbeck — Great Lough (140 acres) and Little Lough (12 acres) — managed as a trout fishery. The moorland setting and peaty water give both waters a character closer to a Scottish loch than an English commercial fishery. Rainbows here fight hard in the cold, low-nutrient water, and the chance of a fish of a lifetime — the kind that earns an immediate retelling — is real enough that regulars plan trips around it rather than treating it as a quick-visit water.
- Loch
- Acidic
Sweethope Lough · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Sweethope Lough
No photos yet for this water.
Two natural loughs in the Northumberland moors at the headwaters of the Wansbeck — Great Lough (140 acres) and Little Lough (12 acres) — managed as a trout fishery.
Species
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
38% confidence — limited data
Conditions
Wind
W 21 km/h
Moderate breeze
Wave
40 cm chop
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
7°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
54%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp25%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
How to fish it · for rainbow trout
When
May–September
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Egg Fly on the bob and Bloodworm on the point.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Egg Fly on the bob and Bloodworm on the point.
Plan B
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.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Why this score
- Hawthorn Fly is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Directions
About this water
Two natural loughs in the Northumberland moors at the headwaters of the Wansbeck — Great Lough (140 acres) and Little Lough (12 acres) — managed as a trout fishery. The moorland setting and peaty water give both waters a character closer to a Scottish loch than an English commercial fishery. Rainbows here fight hard in the cold, low-nutrient water, and the chance of a fish of a lifetime — the kind that earns an immediate retelling — is real enough that regulars plan trips around it rather than treating it as a quick-visit water.
- Loch
- Acidic
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Two natural loughs in the Northumberland moors at the headwaters of the Wansbeck — Great Lough (140 acres) and Little Lough (12 acres) — managed as a trout fishery. The moorland setting and peaty water give both waters a character closer to a Scottish loch than an English commercial fishery. Rainbows here fight hard in the cold, low-nutrient water, and the chance of a fish of a lifetime — the kind that earns an immediate retelling — is real enough that regulars plan trips around it rather than treating it as a quick-visit water.
Other water nearby · 5