Trout Fishing

We extend a warm welcome to all trout anglers. The range of fishing we offer ensures excellent sport for all abilities. Our still water fisheries are among the best in the west and vary in size from around 50 to over 900 acres!

Our fisheries are picturesque and atmospheric lakes, including countless secluded bays, weedy shores and tree line margins to explore. We boast rainbows, browns and a large number of blues of the highest quality. Traditional fly fishing is the rule at our stocked fisheries, although other methods can be used at our free wilderness trout waters. 

Young People and Newcomers

We are working hard to encourage young people and newcomers to take up the sport. Under 18 fish for free with a paying adult and part of their bag limit. Throughout the season, we host open days and events where we offer free fly fishing tuition for all.

Boat Fishing

Boats are available at most of our waters which provide an alternative to bank angling. These must be pre-booked, either by calling 01566 771930 (8.30am - 5.00pm 7 days a week) or online by scrolling to the bottom of your chosen lake page.

You will need to sign a disclaimer before you can take a boat out. Once a year you will need to complete a boat induction – please watch the induction video here. 

Access for All

Most of the waters benefit from facilities designed for disabled or wheelchair anglers, either by platforms or Wheelyboats. These boats must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Clubs

A number of the fisheries have associated local clubs. These are a great way to meet fellow anglers, as well as participating in competitions and social events. We run several competitions during the season - more details of each of these are available on our competitions page.

Environment Agency Rod Licence

Anglers on all our waters must have a valid Environment Agency rod licence which are available from post offices or via the Environment Agency. The only exception may be when attending a bona fide course or a coaching session with a qualified coach – please check beforehand.

South West Lakes Trust

South West Lakes Trust is the managing charity of SW Lakes Trust Fishing. The charity is a member of The Angling Trust. In 2014, the South West Lakes Trust fisheries hosted the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships; Scotland took gold and England won silver. 

Reporting an Incident:

South West Lakes Trust manages a portfolio of nearly 50 lakes and other natural resources so it is not always possible for our wardens to be on the scene when issues occur. The very remote and rural nature of our estate, the thing that makes them so special, also means that modern mobile communications don’t always cover the areas we would like them to. This makes getting an immediate response to ongoing incidents very challenging.

Please use this form to report any incidents of poaching, illegal fishing or any other form of antisocial behaviour to the management team so that we are able to take appropriate action.

Complete Form

Pheasant Fly Fishers 3 Day Trip to SW Lakes

Saturday - Fernworthy 

Six of us fished on Saturday (Alan Judd, Paul Maslin, Iain Mackay, Roland James, Tony Hill & Jon Caton). Four fished the bank with two of our members fishing from float tubes. I started on Thornworthy Bank and caught 2 on bibios and then moved onto Thornworthy Bay. There were a few fish moving so I cast a black gnat along the margin and watched in awe as a fish came up and engulfed it. It gave a good fight and was my best fish of the day.

My best of the day from Thornworthy Bay.

However, our float tubers did much better at the far end of the lake where westerly wind produced a good fall of the Bracken Clock (coch y bonddu) beetle. Iain Mackay caught 10 including a good fish estimated at 2lb and Tony Hill finished with a total of 20! Many of the fish were caught on dry patterns with foam hopper patterns accounting for most.

Tony Hill with a fish with an unusual spot pattern.

A double hook up for Tony.

Tony also noticed some orchids and took the following picture.

At the end of the day we all caught fish and had a fantastic day.

 

Sunday - Burrator 

Four of us fished on Sunday (Alan Judd, Iain Mackay, Paul Maslin & Roland James) and we all headed for Pig Trough Bank on Longstone Point. The wind was behind us blowing beetles onto the water. Again the dry foam hoppers worked best with most fish being caught on these patterns. However, one or 2 were caught on damsel nymph patterns. I finished up with 4 rainbows and 1 brown, indeed we all finished with 4 or 5 each.

We fished the hoppers on floating lines almost static. As the flies sat low in the water it was often a matter of waiting for the sharp take followed by a an arm wrenching tussle from these hard fighting rainbows. We fished close together so were to pass on hints and tips to each other.

Pheasant Fly Fishers “working together”.

Paul Maslin lands the first fish.

Monday - Fernworthy 

The same four went back to Fernworthy and with the wind now in the North West, the beetles were being blown from more banks. Paul spent most of his time on Thornworthy Bank fishing with his own sedge like pattern and finished with 16 browns. Iain and I headed straight to Brownhills where I had 12, mainly on the foam hopper but also a few on a bibio. This included a double hook up and a good fish of 1 1/4 lb. Iain finished the day in Thornworthy Bay and had 20 in total. 

Iain casts at Brownhills.

Roland went to picnic area and finished with 3. All fish were returned.

My double hook up.

A good fish of around 1 1/4 lb

The little chap that made for such a fantastic trip!

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