Fishing Season: 8th March to end of October

Chew Valley Lake - GB-SOM

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

60

Martin Cottis's Tip of the Week

We are still struggling with strong winds and heavy rain. So several days cancelled again. I had a class on Sunday postponed. The water is still murky. Fish hard to tempt. But the water is cooling.

Directions open in app

Map of Chew Valley Lake

5-Day Outlook as of 9/17/25

If you have to fish at the moment pick your day carefully to coincide with cloud and cooler winds. The forecast for the week isn't looking great. Fingers crossed there are some windows to enable fishing.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/17/25

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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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