A northwesterly has held for most of a day, running colder than the water (9°C air against 14°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered north-western 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.
Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 3 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.
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Angler’s map · Anglian Water (Feb 2025)
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
A 300-acre Northamptonshire reservoir with excellent buzzer fishing and a nature reserve on the north bank that limits access but creates undisturbed water. Boat and bank; Brixworth Bay and the causeway are productive bank marks. The reservoir has a good stock of rainbows and grows some impressive browns. Prolific chironomid hatches from April; mayfly and sedge follow. Managed by Anglian Water.
A 300-acre Northamptonshire reservoir with excellent buzzer fishing and a nature reserve on the north bank that limits access but creates undisturbed water.
A northwesterly has held for most of a day, running colder than the water (9°C air against 14°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered north-western 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.
Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 3 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.
Tap to view full map
Angler’s map · Anglian Water (Feb 2025)
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
A 300-acre Northamptonshire reservoir with excellent buzzer fishing and a nature reserve on the north bank that limits access but creates undisturbed water. Boat and bank; Brixworth Bay and the causeway are productive bank marks. The reservoir has a good stock of rainbows and grows some impressive browns. Prolific chironomid hatches from April; mayfly and sedge follow. Managed by Anglian Water.
