Family-run chalk-spring-fed trout fishery at Thornwood (Epping), Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest. Two clear-water lakes and a beginner spring pool, weekly stocked with rainbow and brown trout to 18lb-plus.
Sedge evening rise expected on Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
The sedge is on. Buzzer may also come into play as the day warms. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes. Dusk on the lake is prime time for surface feeding — stay out as long as light allows.
58% confidence in this read
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
W 9 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
Ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
13°C
Cloud
Clear
Pressure
1013 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
The sedge is on. Buzzer may also come into play as the day warms. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes. Dusk on the lake is prime time for surface feeding — stay out as long as light allows.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
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 Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach 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
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
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 · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Gray DrakeHatch
2
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
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
5 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 (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
- Sedge is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
The water
On the lough
1 photos + lough map
Gallery · 2
Thornwood Springs as the sun goes down Terrain map
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
About this water
Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedThornwood Springs Trout Fishery · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Family-run chalk-spring-fed trout fishery at Thornwood (Epping), Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest. Two clear-water lakes and a beginner spring pool, weekly stocked with rainbow and brown trout to 18lb-plus.
- Fishery
- Chalk
Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 April → 30 September
Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery
Editorial photo
Thornwood Springs as the sun goes down
Damian Rafferty
Family-run chalk-spring-fed trout fishery at Thornwood (Epping), Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest.
Species
Sedge evening rise expected on Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
The sedge is on. Buzzer may also come into play as the day warms. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes. Dusk on the lake is prime time for surface feeding — stay out as long as light allows.
58% confidence in this read
Conditions
Wind
W 9 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
Ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
13°C
Cloud
Clear
Pressure
1013 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
79%
Cloud70%
Wind100%
Temp60%
A good match for this venue — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
The sedge is on. Buzzer may also come into play as the day warms. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes. Dusk on the lake is prime time for surface feeding — stay out as long as light allows.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach 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
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Why this score
- Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
- Sedge 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
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Gray DrakeHatch
2
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Gallery · 2
Thornwood Springs as the sun goes down Terrain map
Directions
About this water
Family-run chalk-spring-fed trout fishery at Thornwood (Epping), Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest. Two clear-water lakes and a beginner spring pool, weekly stocked with rainbow and brown trout to 18lb-plus.
- Fishery
- Chalk
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 April → 30 September
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Family-run chalk-spring-fed trout fishery at Thornwood (Epping), Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest. Two clear-water lakes and a beginner spring pool, weekly stocked with rainbow and brown trout to 18lb-plus.
Other water nearby · 5
Related guides