Stillwater · Mixed · Co. Down / Castlewellan

Castlewellan Forest Lake

A fisherman seated on a bench fishing the shore of Castlewellan Lake, Castlewellan Castle visible across the water
Marginal · Trout
Peter Ross Dabbler · 10-12
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Slow going — pick your moments and do not force it.
35% confidence
limited data

Castlewellan Forest Lake is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindNW 17 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Peter Ross Dabbler
Peter Ross Dabbler10-12
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Gentle breeze
NW 17 km/h
N
NW
from the north-west
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp—
Air temp19°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1020 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

Stale water· No rain in 48h

Little recent rain — fresh fish runs unlikely. Focus on resident fish and established lies.

How to fish it · for Trout
When
The daddy longlegs are on. Green Peter may also come into play as the day warms. Drift conditions look good — cover the wind lanes. The breeze will be blowing terrestrial insects onto the water — check the wind lanes and downwind margins for rising fish.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Peeping Caddis on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Peeping Caddis on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
River Lagan
15 km
35
Brown trout
Spelga Reservoir
12 km
Brown trout
Lough Money
15 km
Rainbow trout
Silent Valley Reservoir
15 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout
Hillsborough Lake
25 km
Rainbow trout
Gallery · 2
  1. A fisherman seated on a bench fishing the shore of Castlewellan Lake, Castlewellan Castle visible across the water
    An angler fishing on the banks of Castlewellan Lake, with Castlewellan Castle beyond
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Why this score
  • Daddy Longlegs are in their seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 March → 31 October
Related guides
Irish Loughs Playbooklough-style fishingSmall Stillwater Playbookstillwater tacticsThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperature
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts