Fishing Season: 8th March to end of October

Chew Valley Lake - GB-SOM

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

48

Martin Cottis's Tip of the Week

I had another great week chasing very difficult fish rising, but very erratically, to surface flies. In the morning the fish were eating hatching pupae, but in the afternoon they “switched” to adult midge. But, as with last week, there are so many naturals on the surface, that the fish just have too many options

Directions open in app

Map of Chew Valley Lake

5-Day Outlook as of 4/16/25

The fish that were in big numbers in Heron’s Green Bay have moved out round to Stratford. And, if anglers were not aware of it, there is now a large exclusion zone in force between Stratford trees and Wick Green - there is a long line of buoys de marking this area. Fish close to this line. Hollow Brook area still good and there are a few fish in many other areas…Villice, North Shore, Wick

Techniques & Tips as of 4/16/25

For nymph fishing, long leaders and team of three flies - "buzzer" pupae in various colours. It is important to move the flies VERY slowly if at all! With dry fly, best to use two flies on a 10 - 12 foot leader spaced about five feet apart. 12 on the point and 14 on the dropper. For the pike a wire trace is compulsory, and as there are some very large fish in the lake, a minimum tippet strength of 25lbs is required. Large (2/0 and 3/0) bait immitations are best.

Local Species Available 8th March to end of October

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    Rainbow trout

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    brown trout

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    perch and pike

Martin Cottis's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Midge black 10, 12, 14
Birchell's Hatching Midge claret/fiery brown 12, 14
Midge red 12, 14
Birchell's Hatching Midge natural 10, 12
Diawl Bach natural 10, 12
Bob's Bits claret, fiery brown, 12, 14
March Brown Wet natural 10, 12
Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Wet black or red 12, 14
fry patterns white, silver 8, 10
booby lure black, orange 10

Midge

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Item #0836

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Martin Cottis's Recommended Gear

Description: About Chew Valley Lake

Chew Valley Lake at around 1400 acres is one of the largest reservoirs in the south of England. Construction work began on the lake in 1953 and in June 1956 it was officially opened by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Since then it has provided wonderful trout fishing for both local and visiting anglers. Found to the south of Bristol and handily placed for flights into Bristol Airport, Chew has long been a venue sought after by anglers wishing to fish small and mostly immitative nymph and dry fly patterns. The new Lodge was opened in 2000 by the celebrated angler and actor Bernard Cribbins.

Nearest Airport:

Bristol International Airport (about six miles away)

Hatches:

Midge - these are the predominant species from start to end of season. Corixae - all season but more important as weather warms. Fry patterns - especially late in season. Ants - for a couple of "hot" weeks in summer Terrestrials - all year

Best Time to Fish:

bank - early and late, boats all day if cloudy, eve otherwise

Best Stretch:

Heron's Green Bay, North Shore, Woodford, Sailing Club frontage

Best Access:

From Woodford Lodge