Location & Conditions

My local reservoir on 20/04/2026. Conditions were good for the time of year with a light wind and overcast skies, and the temperature hovering around 8°C. The water was very coloured, which made visibility challenging. Recent activity at the reservoir had been disappointing, as fishing had not been productive so far this season.

Flies & Tactics

For this outing, I opted for a three-fly cast setup, using two Cormorants on the droppers and a Cats Whisker bobbie on the point, all tied in sizes 12, 12, and 10. The line used was a three-foot midge tip. The presentation was not a major factor for success, and no tactical adjustments were made during the session.

Catch Details

The main species caught was Rainbow Trout, with a total of two fish landed. The size ranged from 1 to 1½ lb. Although there were no particularly notable fish, there were plenty of moments where fish followed the flies right up to the boat.

Reflections & Lessons Learned

The most effective approach was using a Black Cormorant fly with a slow retrieve. A fast retrieve proved unsuccessful. Fish behaviour indicated that it was still too cold for much surface activity. Next time, I plan to keep working the shallow water, staying about two feet from the shore.

Quick Summary

Category	Details
Location	My Local
Time	5pm-8pm
Weather	Light wind overcast
Water	Coloured
Best Fly	Black Cormorant
Fish Caught	2
Ego Bruised	No