The uppermost of the Derwent Valley chain — remote and atmospheric. Bank fishing for stocked rainbows and wild browns. Limited access compared to Ladybower and Derwent below. The genuine wilderness setting rewards effort. No boats.
- Reservoir
- Mixed
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Conditions are not ideal but fishable at Howden Reservoir. The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently. Very warm conditions — trout have a narrower safe zone of cool, oxygen-rich water. Fish only at first light or last light, use barbless hooks, keep fish in the water during release, and stop if fish struggle to recover.
Where
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
The plan
Plan A
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
Plan B
Fish early and late, try deeper during the heat of the day with a fast-sinking line.
Watch for
Watch for Sedge towards evening — this could be the best window of the day.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
See the full sub-surface read with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 3 with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
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
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
Rainbow fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
64%
Cloud100%
Wind65%
Temp25%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
Howden Reservoir and Dam Terrain map
About this water
Why this score
- Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
- High temperatures may push fish deeper and reduce surface activity.
- Damsel Nymph is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Clubs & associations
Howden Reservoir
The uppermost of the Derwent Valley chain — remote and atmospheric.
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Conditions are not ideal but fishable at Howden Reservoir. The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently. Very warm conditions — trout have a narrower safe zone of cool, oxygen-rich water. Fish only at first light or last light, use barbless hooks, keep fish in the water during release, and stop if fish struggle to recover.
Where
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
The plan
Plan A
Start with Marabou Damsel (8-12) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
Plan B
Fish early and late, try deeper during the heat of the day with a fast-sinking line.
Watch for
Watch for Sedge towards evening — this could be the best window of the day.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
See the full sub-surface read with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 3 with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
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
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
Rainbow fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
64%
Cloud100%
Wind65%
Temp25%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
Howden Reservoir and Dam Terrain map
About this water
The uppermost of the Derwent Valley chain — remote and atmospheric. Bank fishing for stocked rainbows and wild browns. Limited access compared to Ladybower and Derwent below. The genuine wilderness setting rewards effort. No boats.
- Reservoir
- Mixed
Why this score
- Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
- High temperatures may push fish deeper and reduce surface activity.
- Damsel Nymph is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout 1 April → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Clubs & associations