Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Water Temp:
66
Martin Cottis's Tip of the Week
Top End remains best place for fishing Blagdon. Plenty of fish and often not too deep. Cold North East wind keeping them down. I am looking forward to some cloud and warmer winds.
Directions open in app
5-Day Outlook as of 5/6/25
Plenty of fish feeding on top. Plenty of casts needed to put your fly in the trout's path - so many hatching flies that the trout are easily distracted. Wood Bay, Holt Bay and Lodge front seem to be best areas.
Techniques & Tips as of 5/6/25
Blagdon is a lake that responds really well to nymphs fished slowly. Diawl bachs are the "fly-of-the-lake" and in its many varieties will usually get a few fish. Buzzers also do well. As the season moves on, dry flies become more significant as a fly to put on the end. Lures such as blobs and boobies are always worth a go when the trout are not responsive to the nymphs! Long leaders are usually required (but not too long with the dry fly!) and a decent fluorocarbon is helpful - especially early season when you need to get down. Look to shallower areas and off the weedbeds later in the year.
Local Species Available 15th March to end of October
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Brown trout and rainbow trout
Martin Cottis's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
---|---|---|
Flexifloss Chironomid | black | 10,12, 14 |
Flexifloss Chironomid | claret | 12, 14 |
Flexifloss Chironomid | red | 12, 14 |
Flashback Tri-Tail | natural and dyed bla | 10, 12, 14 |
Diawl Bach | natural | 10, 12 |
Bob's Bits | Red, claret and fier | 12, 14 |
Midge | natural | 12 |
Birchell's Hatching Midge | claret, black, red | 12, 14 |
Shipman's buzzer | fiery brown, red | 10, 12 |
Booby | various | 10 |
Martin Cottis's Recommended Gear
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Best Leader:
Super Strong Plus Leaders
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Best Tippet:
SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
5-Weight 9' Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
WF Trout Fly Line
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Best Sinking Fly Line:
Clear Sink Tip Fly Line