I know there have been a lot of threads on here with regards to fly fishing in the lakes and I have read through them (and trawled the internet) exhaustively so hope I don't appear lazy or repeating any subject matter but there are some very knowledgeable people on here about the area so just wanted to run this by them...

I'll be in the lake district this time next week for 7 days holiday and will have 2/3 days free for fishing, we are staying in Keswick so the plan would be as follows:

1 day walking up to Blea Tarn, Armboth and fishing any other tarns in the area, maybe stopping at Watendlath Tarn
1 day fishing Watendlath Tarn (assuming it didnt feature in the above)
1 day fishing Keswick Angling Associations strecth of the Derwent just south of the town.

Any tips, suggestions or improvements on the above would be greatly appreciated.

I think its going to be a real culture shock for me from the stocked stillwaters I'm used to but looking forward to it!

jc
Watendlath Tarn is a great spot but as the road up can be a bit busy it mostly single track with passing places so set off early to avoid traffic and walkers on the road .Again the Cafe where you buy the tickets closes after Afternoon Tea so if you want to fish the evening rise get there early
There was a recent tread re Derwent but have plan B as water may well be a issue the area behind the Pencil Museam has had good press Tickets in Keswick from Youheys(?) in the Town Centre .
Hope it helps
Report to follow l hope
Numps

Numps, thanks a lot for the information, really helpful, the map on the Keswick Angling Association website (Keswick Angling Association River Maps) shows their stretch starting behind the pencil works so hopefully should be ok there.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Cheers, Jon

I've always fished upstream from Keswick on the Greta, all the way up to Threlkeld and beyond (private access). Alot quieter, better pools IMO. maybe pop in the Twa dogs for some pub grub and beer too

@numptyone Youheys(?) = Youdales Newsagents?
83 Main Street
Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DT
017687 72259

I used to buy maggots and dead bait from there (under the ice creams in the freezer lol)

Or theres "Field and Stream" (if its still there) a couple of shops down.

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FishKeep

Hi jcwarn

Blea Tarn above watendlath is one of my favourite tarns, and as far as tarns go, it holds some really good trout, i reckon up to 3lbs..!! Last year i managed a fish of just over 1lb. Its a bit of a mission to get to but well worth it. All your research will tell you to fish mainly dries but be sure to kit yourself out with some nymphs, as on my first trip up i took mainly dries but observed a big variety of damsel, mayfliy, buzzer and other fly life, and on a day when the rises were non existent i was wishing i had some nymphs. If you want to target some of the bigger browns i would throw in a lure or two, there are plenty of dark minnows, so something in brown or black.
I make a trip up once a year, this year its in july and you can be sure that blea is on my list.
Watendlath is also a super place. When i fished it in august last year they were going mad on corixa and shield beetles..!! Fishing was tough as they were taking nothing else. i Managed one by chance, ate him for dinner and took out a large handful of them from his gut, needless to say i knew what fly to use the following day and had a ball. Other tarns in the area are few and far between, there is harrop tarn and dock tarn, both containing little trout, about an hours walk from blea, havent fished them though.
If you've had a look on google, you may have found some videos i posted on youtube a while ago. Quite long and a bit boring but some good info.

Let us know how it goes.

Cheers
D

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'' if at first you don't succeed........then skydiving is not for you....

They are not at all boring dayne84! Just been watching, (again), and they are very well put together, well, better than i could do!
I hope you don't mind me posting one of them re: Blea Tarn, just to give jcwarn an idea of what it's like. I can confirm though, that it is an extremely boggy tract of land that it nestles in!


Best wishes
Alan

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"Angling may be said to be so like mathematics in that it can never be fully understood" - Izaak Walton

Can anybody recommend any good places to stay, either B&B or short let holiday cottages. (Close to good fishing spots as well !)

hi, when we go to keswick always stay at bagsend Greta st. cracking b&b nice couple.
ghyll head fishery near windermere open all year. hope this helps.
bye
barry

Hi Barry, thank you for your reply, i will have a look at that. Ive been busy online and found a few places of interest today, so will keep you posted on the outcome.

Cheers.

Larry's Lodge B&B in Keswick - run by Dave and Sue - Dave's a member of Keswick & District Anglers Assocn too

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