Fishing Stocks Reservoir

Fishing the margins from a drifting boat is a superb strategy for the early season. Hungry trout cruise the shallow fringes foraging for aquatic insects and ambushing mountain minnows. Until the arrival of warmer weather and the abundant terrestrial insect hatches, it is the shallow water close to the shore line and islands are where the majority of feeding trout can be found.

Stocks lends itself very well to both drifting boat anglers and wandering bank anglers. The abundant terrestrial insect life produces excellent top of the water sport throughout the summer months. Large numbers of windblown beetles, ants and daddies cause spectacular rises and fantastic dry-fly action. Large sedge and buzzer hatches can also dominate the trout's menu. The trout are well distributed all over the reservoir with most of the features providing hotspots.

During the warm weather of summer when fisheries all over country are struggling with high water temperatures and excessive algae. Stocks can produce superb sport on the dry fly. The aerators 95 feet down at the Dam continually recycle cool water from the depths and prevent stratification and the warm layer of water that would otherwise cover the whole reservoir and drive the trout down is not allowed to form. Also the annual draw down is just enough to leave any troublesome algae high and dry.

The best line of attack in the height of summer is from a boat drifting down the centre of the reservoir with Bob;s Bits, G&H Sedge and Black Hoppers as must have patterns. Frequently casting a team of dries on a short line can produce some of the most exciting sport of the season. So when your instincts are telling you to reach for your sinking line and drag the depths, the best method of catching is often on the dry fly.

If you are ever unsure about tactics, patterns or where to fish on the reservoir then remember there is always a member of the stocks team in the lodge with all the latest information and willing to offer friendly advice.

An Interview with Masterline Stocks angler Nick Halstead

Q: Why do you enjoy competition fly fishing so much? A: Obviously I enjoy ‘pitting my skills' against the fish and fellow angler, but there is far more to comp fishing than this. I enjoy the team events, like the T.E.F.O or Guide, the camaraderie between team mates and the opposition is a major draw for me. The beauty of loch style events is that you could draw a boat with anyone from seasoned anglers like Bob Church to a beginner, but you always seem to learn something.

Q: Do you still enjoy your fishing out of competition? A: Most of my fishing is done on a pleasure basis, if I only fished comps I would miss out on a lot of fun
Q: What qualities do you need to fish in fly fishing competitions? A: Consistent results come from anglers who approach the sport in the right frame of mind. I know successful anglers who only ever fish one method with a small range of flies, but they have confidence in them, so they get their heads down and work for a result. Confidence is a great asset. Personally I like to practice the day before and at the very least know what not to do in the match.

The lodge from Hartley's