November marks the move back into winter stillwater fishing. Many of the UK's larger reservoirs have closed, and smaller stocked fisheries come into their own. Cooler water keeps trout active, and fish often feed steadily through the day, especially during mild spells.
Natural food is more important than many anglers realise. Small buzzers, bloodworm, Diawl Bachs and slim nymphs account for large numbers of fish when presented slowly beneath the surface. Rather than covering water quickly with fast retrieves, successful anglers concentrate on depth, presentation and patience.
Surface activity should never be ignored. Mild, overcast days can produce midge hatches, with trout gently sipping emerging insects from the surface film. The Peaks Fly Fishing Hairdresser Midge is one of the strongest patterns for these situations because it sits naturally in the surface film. When trout show quietly but do not take a surface fly, a buzzer or bloodworm suspended beneath a Peaks Fly Fishing Ressie Dink can be exceptionally effective.
Bright attractor patterns still have their place, particularly after stocking. The Peaks Fly Fishing Lava Tail and Peaks Fly Fishing Eggstatic Egg remain useful when trout are cruising or reacting to colour and movement.
Recommended fly selection:
- Black Buzzer
- Bloodworm
- Diawl Bach
- Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Peaks Fly Fishing Hairdresser Midge
- Peaks Fly Fishing Ressie Dink
- Peaks Fly Fishing Lava Tail
- Peaks Fly Fishing Eggstatic Egg
What to watch for:
- Mild afternoons with midge hatches
- Trout quietly dimpling
- Small buzzers hatching during calm spells
- Fish cruising rather than chasing
- Recently stocked trout mixing with overwintered fish
On the water:
November is not always about pulling big lures. If trout are dimpling or taking emerging insects, slow down. A Hairdresser Midge or a buzzer under a Ressie Dink can out-fish more aggressive methods.
