Stillwater · Limestone · South West / Somerset, GB-ENG

Chew Valley Lake

Aerial view of Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, showing the full expanse of the reservoir.

A 490-hectare reservoir in the Mendip foothills with a justified reputation for exceptional wild brown trout — some of the biggest in England.

Fair · Rainbow
Minkie · 6-10
Fairlive now
Reasonable autumn fishing likely at Chew Valley Lake
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
52% confidence

Seasonally this is the right time to be here, but today's conditions are not doing Chew Valley Lake many favours. It can still fish, but temper expectations.

What moved it
  • WindSW 25 km/hModerate breeze · Gusts to 42 km/h
Today's fly
Minkie
Minkie6-10
Retrieve, sub-surface
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Moderate breeze · Gusts to 42 km/h
SW 25 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
Wave40 cm chop
Water temp14.2°C
Air temp10°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1020 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Buzzers from April; mayfly late May into June where the cover allows; daphnia mid-summer; back-end on lures October into November before the close.
Where
Stockton Lodge area, Heron's Green Bay, and the open water boat marks. Weed beds are significant on Chew — fish on and around them.
Method
Floater with buzzers under indicator in spring; midge-tip and team of three through summer dressed to suggest sedges and damsels.
Kit
10 ft #7 boat rod; floating, intermediate and fast-intermediate lines; 6 to 8 lb fluoro. Drogue and a long-handled net.
The plan
Plan A

Start with Minkie (6-10) — on the point. Early in the day, try buzzers on a slow figure-of-eight or a booby on a fast-sink line near the bottom. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses.

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

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Bank, sheltered shores

In wind, bank fish the lee shore — boats can anchor in productive areas if conditions allow.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

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14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Through the year
0–3 scale · October highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
Chew Valley Lake Fishing Map
Click to expand

Chew Valley Lake Map

Tap to view full map

Fishery map — attribution pending

What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
51%
Cloud70%
Wind30%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Blagdon Lake
6.0 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Barrow Tanks
9.0 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Jacklands Fishing Lakes
16 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout
River Brue
28 km
Brown trout
Little Avon River
37 km
Brown trout · Grayling · Chub
Gallery · 5
  1. Aerial view of Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, showing the full expanse of the reservoir.
    Chew Valley Lake
  2. Wide view of Chew Valley Lake from Nunnery Point with Woodford Lodge on the far bank and open water.
    Chew Valley Lake and Woodford Lodge from Nunnery Point
  3. Open water at Wick Green Point on Chew Valley Lake with reedy shoreline and calm surface to the horizon.
    Chew Valley Lake at Wick Green Point
  4. North shore of Chew Valley Lake in summer with open water and the low Mendip fringe behind.
    North shore of Chew Valley Lake
  5. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

A 490-hectare reservoir in the Mendip foothills with a justified reputation for exceptional wild brown trout — some of the biggest in England. The limestone geology produces rich feeding and prolific hatches: buzzer, mayfly (late May–June), caenis, sedge, and terrestrials all feature strongly. Expect a two-day lag between significant weather and noticeable changes in fishing conditions. Boat and bank fishing; Herriott's Bridge, Villice Bay, and Stratford Bay are classic marks. The wild browns are the prize — fish of 5 lb+ are taken regularly, with doubles a genuine possibility. Managed by Bristol Water; day tickets, boats, and season permits from Woodford Lodge.

  • Reservoir
  • Limestone
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
  • Reservoirs of this kind fish well at this time of year.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 5 March → 30 November
Related guides
Big Stillwater Playbookreservoir tacticsReservoir Entomologymatching the hatchThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperature
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Clubs & associations