Introduction

Roadford Lake, nestling at the western edge of Devon and with its beautiful scenery of rolling hills and Dartmoor backdrop, can truly be described as one the very best Brown Trout fisheries in the country. Even in the middle of summer, Roadford can offer some great sport for those that venture out to explore the wide open expanse of water and many bays that Roadford has to offer.

The Fishing

Early season in recent years has seen some excellent fishing. Leech patterns cast close to shore and quickly retrieved, traditional wet fly patterns fished through the surface during March and April, giving way to superb dry fly sport in May and June, with fish eagerly feeding on the Hawthorn and Coch-y-Bondu beetles that can be blown on to the water in large numbers. As the summer takes hold and the temperatures continue to rise the fishing can become considerably more challenging. However, the fish are still there and now some changes in tactics will be needed in order to tempt Roadford’s residents.

Bank fishing will of course become more challenging in the summer and boat fishing at Roadford gives the angler a huge advantage. Fish will still move into the shallower water near the banks, coming within range of the bank anglers, but normally only during first and last light. If you can manage to set a very early alarm and then actually get up when it goes off and head for the water then you can be in for a treat and the bank fishing can still provide some excellent sport. The same applies during the evening, when the very best sport can be in the very last light of the day.

At this time of year, the early morning and late evening hatches can be very early and late and can be very brief, but for just a little while the whole lake can come alive and fish can be seen rising in all directions.  Cove Buzzer’s and Cruncher patterns fished just under the surface and Orange Emerger and Deer hair Sedge patterns fished dry can make for some fantastic sport.

Fish here simply do not respond well on bright days and if you can fish on a day with a reasonable breeze and cloud cover the fish tend to be far more active. In fact cloud cover is the single most important factor at any time of the year. Quite simply, more cloud equals more fish!

Tackle

In terms of tackle for the banks at Roadford, a 9-10′ rod of 6# or 7# should be all that is needed. A floating line is a must and I would always have a sink tip line of some variety. Often, when the fish are not showing, this line can keep your fly in that crucial depth for just that little bit longer. An intermediate or slow sink line is rarely needed through the season here but can be worth carrying.

Fly Patterns and Techniques

A huge fly selection is rarely needed, these are fish that have grown on and fed on the natural fly life in the lake. Damsel nymphs, tadpole and leech patterns will still prove successful but choosing smaller fly sizes seems more productive. In the warmer water the fish will be more reluctant to chase for their food so a slow and steady figure of eight retrieve will bring the best results.

Searching different parts of the lake to find fish is always important at Roadford so travel light. If you can’t fit enough tackle into a backpack then the chances are you are taking too much!

 Boat Fishing

So much of the tactics from the bank will equally apply once afloat and this, coupled with the opportunity to cover far more water and access the deeper parts of the lake, can make for some great sport. There are a limited number of boats on the lake so booking ahead is required. Petrol motors can be provided and this gives easy access to the whole lake. However, there are some real advantages when using an electric engine, if you are able. Quietly entering the many bays at Roadford, subtle and quiet changes to a drift and maintaining position over the mysterious Roadford boils can make all the difference here.

An electric outboard also gives the ability to easily maintain a drift and constant distance from the banks, whilst casting into the banks. In the middle of summer the fish will feed at greater depths but in the early and late season the resident trout of Roadford will feed incredibly close to shore, giving themselves away as their tails break the surface in the shallow water. Be aware however, the sheer size of the lake can mean that even two good size batteries can easily be exhausted during a day at Roadford. Something to be considered during the day if a long row at the end is to be avoided.

If you have been fortunate to find a day with a little cloud cover then the fish will often move up in the water and although you may be fishing over deep water, there are many areas of the lake where depth drops to up to 100 feet, fish will feed just a few feet under the surface. Traditional wet fly patterns are a firm favourite in these conditions, using Bibio’s, Soldier Palmer’s and similar patterns with a floating or sink tip line.

On brighter days the fish head deeper and to catch you must make sure your fly follows. Boat fishing gives the opportunity to carry and use a much greater selection of line densities and in these conditions Di3 and Di5 lines will be needed to reach the depths to tempt fish. Boat fishing with sunk lines will usually be more easily managed using a 10′ rod and 7# lines. This will also help dealing with the winds that can push across such a large expanse of water.

The Brown Trout of Roadford will tend not to shoal, as is so often the case with its bold and brash Rainbow cousins, but will live a more solitary life. As a result, the fish are more evenly dispersed around the lake and, as with the Bank fishing, staying mobile is again so important. All of the bays will contain fish but in the high temperatures of summer the deeper bays toward the dam end of the lake will usually be more productive. Slowly drifting each bay in turn, using a drogue on all but the calmest of days and covering as much water as possible will usually find fish. Most of the bays at this end of the lake drop away to at least 40-50 feet or more so the fish have the opportunity to feed in the shallow water of the bays during low light but can quickly retreat to the deeper water during the day and they will still feed and fishing as deep as possible can bring results.

The main body of the lake will also contain a good numbers of fish throughout However, this can be water of up to 100 feet and on the brighter days the fish will often hold deep for the majority of the day. These fish will rise up in the water but for more consistent results it pays to search the depths.

During the summer, some of the best fishing can be found around Roadford’s infamous “boils”, above the aeration pipe which run down the lake from the valve tower for around 200 yards. During early season the aeration pipes are active for only a few hours each day and timing your fishing can be a hit and miss affair but during the summer these are on all almost constantly. Oxygenated water is pushed up from the depths and as food is swept upward, the Trout congregate and follow.

Often the fish will rise high in the water around the boils and a floating line and dry flies can be very effective. Wet flies, Hoppers and Daddy Long Leg’s proving productive. One or two drifts along the length of the boils will soon determine if the fish are moving and taking in the surface layers. If not, then searching the deeper water is required. Fish will often hold around 30 to 40 feet down during the warmest months of summer and this is when a fast sinking line may be the only way to ensure your fly is reaching the depths at which the trout are holding. Di5 and Di7 lines are essential now to successful days.

Choosing flies that will reach the deeper areas is of course crucial so larger, weighted patterns on the point will be needed but more imitative flies fished on the droppers will often pick up fish. Once again, gold head black Wooly Buggers are a firm favourite but similar flies and, in particular black and chartreuse combinations, can be very effective. Another favoutite, designed to imitate the fry and minnow in the lake, are Minkie style patterns. Using zonkered pine squirrel and ice dubbing you can create highly mobile patterns, the squirrel giving fantastic movement in the water.

Obviously, as those that have fished Roadford in recent years will be well aware, Perch arrived and flourished and must receive a mention but this is not the doom and gloom story many feared. For a time it seemed that the trout fishing was doomed and would never return to as it had been. True, before the arrival of the Perch the Brown Trout fishing had been simply outstanding, but this was during the initial years after Roadford opened and nothing could ever really compare. This was  fishing in the opening years of a newly created and flooded reservoir, the trout thrived and grew well in the rich feeding this provided.

Roadford and the Perch have now settled down. The Perch numbers have reduced significantly. They are still there and will shoal up, often in the shallower water from June onwards. Fishing Roadford from a boat helps reach deeper water where the Perch are far less likely to be found but early season you will rarely see any perch.

The Trout have remained and as the Perch numbers have reduced the Trout fishing has continued to improve. Recent years have seen more and more of Roadford’s bigger fish caught, with fish over 5lb each season making an appearance. Almost all of these fish have been returned and many of the local anglers will have experienced trying, often in vain, to land these fish on the occasions they are hooked. Many are lost during what can be an explosive fight as the fish charge as quickly as possible into the depths! The continued stocking of fish which are allowed to grow on in the lake has maintained a healthy head of fish, feeding and thriving on the abundant food.

The last few years have seen Carp arrive and thrive in the lake. We are confident that the Roadford Trout will take these in their stride, as they have with the Perch, and this will do no harm to the continued resurgence as a first class Brown Trout fishery.

Our friendly and helpful staff are contactable on 01409 211507. This is also the number to book a boat.

Perch Fishing

If you fancy having a go at the Perch in Roadford we do allow perch fishing, by boat only, during the season. This is usually in the summer months but its best to give us a call and find out as the times may change. Perch fishing with small rubber lures and jigs has proved fantastic with multiple catches of fish to nearly 4lbs and plenty of rod bending action!

Fishing Map

The fishery map which has all the commonly used names referred to in this guide can be found on our website.

Click here to expand the map

Weekly catch reports

During the season weekly catch reports are produced for Roadford so you can see how it is fishing, what flies are working and which locations have produced fish. The locations on the weekly catch report also correspond to the fishery map and this guide. The weekly catch report is posted in the permit room, on the Roadford page of the website and on our Facebook page ‘Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust’.

Safety

Wading is permitted but only recommended up to thigh depth. Take extra care as around the lake edges there are very boggy areas if you do decide to wade. Wading is at your own risk but watch out as there are lots of rocks and some holes scattered around on the lake bed.

Summary

Roadford will rarely be described as an easy fishery but it has returned to excellent form in the last few years and, when conditions are right, has provided some spectacular returns. Given the huge variety of trout fishing available in the area it is of no surprise that Roadford is often overlooked but it can offer the dedicated and determined angler, prepared to venture out into its water, an experience that is hard to beat.