Fishing Season: 15th March to end of October

Blagdon Lake - GB-SOM

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

48

Martin Cottis's Tip of the Week

I had my first Trip to Blagdon on Friday with client Jonathan. We had a lovely day in a really cold wind. The wind kept the fish feeding below the surface but they were feeding well. Small black and brown buzzers were our most successful fly.

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Map of Blagdon Lake

5-Day Outlook as of 4/16/25

Odd fish showed on top whilst we had some cloud but as soon as the sun broke through we saw no more. Static flies were most important, and almost all fish took the fly closest to the surface. Wood Bay, Holt Bay and Lodge front seem to be best areas.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/16/25

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

Flexifloss Chironomid

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Martin Cottis's Recommended Gear

Description: About Blagdon Lake

Blagdon Lake is without doubt a magical place to fish, with its history going back as far as the Victorian era. Opened in 1904, one wonders just how many anglers have graced its boats and banks. This is one of the venues featured in "Fifty Places to Fly Fish before you Die".Blagdon is found on the edge of the rolling Somerset landscape better klnown as the Mendip Hills, and upon drivinginto the lake's shores you are met by the famous mock-Tudor lodge, where permits will be purchased before fishing. It is a must visit lake for any trout anglers visiting the British Isles. The stocked trout are raised in the hatchery below the dam - the brown trout emanating from the original wild fish of the river Yeo, which feeds the lake, and the introduced Loch Leven strain to add some vigorous growth way back in around 1920. The rainbow trout are usually fin-perfect, and could easily be mistaken for wild fish. Prolific insect hatches - midge, caddis and in warmer months, damsels, provide plenty of opportunity for immitative fishing with either nymph or, preferably dry fly.

Nearest Airport:

Bristol International Airport is about four miles from the lake

Hatches:

Midge all year - black early season, then claret leading to olive. Caddis from May onwards, but the fish tend not to get "on" these flies much Corixae all year, but best from summer onwards. Damsels present but like caddis not taken readily. Sparse upwinged flylife - a few lake olives at times.

Best Time to Fish:

From the bank, early morning and late evening, boats anytime on mild cloudy days, evening otherwise

Best Stretch:

Home Bay, Long Bay, Green Lawn, Rainbow Point

Best Access:

From Lodge on south shore, or on North shore