Ladybower Reservoir - Whose "The Daddy" July 2025

When I got the call, "would you do a guided day on Ladybower Reservoit", there was only going to be one answer, yes!. This picturesque venue, has just opened its doors once again as as trout fishery, and its certainly creating a stir !

Having never fished it myself before, I was relishing the challenge of finding, and catching the fish - hopefully !!

Richard, my partner for the day, has recently took to trout fishing, and was keen to improve all aspects of his game. Entering his first ever competition the weekend before, and catching his pb of 14 fish, he was mad keen to go again!

The morning started slow, as we drifted through the snake arm, and around the Rasberry Bay area. I managed a couple on a fast glass line, and a small Tequila Fab, and Richard took one on a claret popper hopper. However, there wan no consistency. I changed to a di3 and an Olive Slinky, as I new if there was any number of fish about, they certainly pull this !! We were now nearing the viaduct, fishing bankside. I took 4 fish in quite quick succession, on the Olive Slinky, but still we felt something was missing.

My 3rd rod lying in the boat was set up with dries, a black cdc Midas (size 12) & a brown foam daddy, again size 12. Just because very few fish at this point were rising, it doesn't mean they won't come up for a dry !  As the cloud bubbled up, conditions looked more and more inviting for giving the dries a swim. Think it, do it, is often my motto, so on went the dries.

Well, what a move that proved to be. It was awesome, to say the least. What was very noticeable was, the fish certainly picked out the daddy. Richard soon swapped over too, and was immediately in on the action.  As Richard dropped 3 fish in a row, a little bit of guidance on playing fish on a barbless hook, Richard then went on to land his next 5, and more !!

 Richard showing off fish number 17 - his best ever catch number !

We drifted off the points, across into open water, and consistently picked up fish. Wind lanes, or scum lanes, was certainly the place to land your flies, as the fish were certainly concentrated in these. A wind lane is a flat calm strip of water, you often see on bigger waters. The food gets trapped in these, and thus, attracts the trout. Always look to target these, particularly in the warmer months !

As the drifts mounted up, so di the fish numbers.

The Midas was now off, and I fished two daddies. A size 12 brown, and a size 12 Black one, with both flies consistently catching. Richard opted for two Flash Attack brown foam daddies, and was catching consistently with those. We were only casting 10yds in front of the boat, with a 13' leader and the two flies. This enables you to clearly see the flies, and when a fish moves at them, "Strike". Richard described my strike as the "signature Smash", as I hit hard into any movement around the flies. Keeping the flies tight to the boat, will also encourage the fish closer to your boat. You'll be amazed how close they will come if you keep your lines close, and not chuck 25yds over the top of them !

Richard now playing the fish at a slight angle with his rod, whilst on barbless hooks.

Drifting from the arches across the middle was a hot spot. Remember to look for wind lanes !!!

This was certainly the fly of the day. A Flash Attack brown foam daddy. Link to the fly below.

It was a fabulous day out, with us netting just over 50 fish for the day.  Today they were on dries, tomorrow could always be different ! I set up 3 rods, and go from there when fishing any waters. Something will usually work, you just have to ring the changes until you crack the code.

Rod used - Greys 10' 7# Cruise. Reel -Crusie 7/8#. Fly Line 7# Greys Platinum XD Floating line. Leader line - Flash Attack 7lb Flurocarbon

If you would like a guided day out on Ladybower, then please email craig@flashattackflies.com for details.

Below are the links to the 3 best flies for the day, and flurocarbon used by myself to boat 35 fish, 7lb Warrior F1 from Flash Attack Flies

If you choose to buy any of the below flies, then use blog offer code JULY25 to get 20% off these flies, or NAY OTHER flies from our website. Enjoy, and tight lines, Craig

Brown Foam Daddy Long Legs Trout Fly – FlashAttackFlies

Daddy Longlegs Fly Black CODE BD33 (s10,12,14) – FlashAttackFlies

Flurocarbon Fishing Line 7,8,9,10, & 12lb 100m Spools – FlashAttackFlies

Barbless CDC F Wing Black Midas CODE BD14 (s10,12) – FlashAttackFlies

www.flashattackflies.com #Qualityssured #greysflyfishing