Kingfisher Trout Lake

Fishing Kingfisher Trout Lake

According to fishery owner Dennis Wall, about 90 per cent of the fish are taken on floating line because the fish are free rising. Probably the best patterns are small buzzers whilst dry flies, particularly sedges, also accounted for many of the fish taken.

Reliable patterns

Patterns normally reliable include Montanas, Viva, Cat’s Whisker, natural flies and, of course, the deadly Kingfisher Killer – particularly in olive or black. However, most anglers have a good selection of flies in their box and with all aspects of the sport it often pays to experiment.

Kingfisher Trout Lake is much deeper than many lakes of its size, averaging between 12 feet and 14 feet but up to 20 feet in places. This enables the water to stocked to a ratio of about 140-150 fish per acre with the majority of the fish being in the 2lb to 3lb range. However, rainbows of 10lbs have been caught and fish to 5lbs come to the net fairly frequently. Over recent years an average of three fish were taken per angler visit and a further five fish per angler were taken on a catch and release basis.

The water depth also means that the fish can keep cool in the summer months by going deep whilst in winter the reverse is the case with the fish staying down where the water is warmer.

Conditions throughout the lake are kept at optimum levels by the use of silt traps, bypass ditches, regular weed control and a powerful aeration system, all of which combine to maintain the correct ecological balance. This ensures clear water of even temperature all year round, promoting healthy insect life and fish.

There are no ‘hotspots’

Because trout are more active than most coarse fish and patrol greater distances there are no ‘hot spots’ on the lake with anglers standing an equal chance of catching in all parts of the lake.

The location of the fish will tend to be determined by the direction of the prevailing wind and water temperatures, but as the water is normally gin clear first-time visitors to the fishery are advised to approach the waters edge with caution and start by fishing close to the bank as many fish tend to congregate by the bankside.

Only after anglers have explored to shallower water should they gradually work their way further out. Working the water like this will prevent a mistake commonly made at Kingfisher, which is that anglers often march straight up to the waters edge and fish up to 20 yards out on their first cast, thus scaring away any fish between the bank and where they are fishing – a mistake often commonly made by their coarse fishing cousins, many of whom believe you have to fish at distance to be in with any chance of catching when many good fish are taken by other anglers from in the margins.

Try fishing the ledges close in

In addition, there are plenty of ledges around the lake edge where the trout patrol and feed, and it is always worth trying these before heading for deeper water near the island. Having said that, there is deep water close to the bank in places for those who prefer to fish further down. Whether fishing shallow or deep, however, a slow retrieve is recommended after having cast your fly. Most Kingfisher Trout Lake regulars use a steady figure of eight to tease the fly slowly through the water.

Whether you are an individual angler who enjoys combining a day’s angling with the tranquility of the countryside or a company looking for a Corporate event with a difference, Kingfisher Trout Lake provides an inexpensive way to entertain friends, clients and colleagues. An added attraction of Kingfisher Trout Lake is that families are welcome and non-anglers can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.