Hi,as an angler who fishes rivers 100% of the time I'm clueless when it comes to stillwater techniques.I've bought a nice 6wt outfit and have now joined a club which has a very reputable lake,but I simply don't know where to start
I know it's a vauge and difficult question but could someone please point me in the right direction when it comes to stillwater flies,techniques,features etc...If it helps,the lake isn't a typical 'stockie bashing putt and take',it holds naturalised wild brownies as it's fed by a river and is also stocked with rainbows.

Thanks in advance

Regards Morgan

Welcome to the darksideeeee,young Luke skywalker,use the knowledge you have from the bright side and it will work well on the same darkest of stillwaters.Those stockies swim the same,eat the same and take the same and believe it or not they are born the same .

If its bright look for the shadowed water,flies that are used on the bright side are the same for the dark side,floating lines do well,avoid if at all possible the use of the evil indicator and use only as last resort.Use the power of your thoughts and from others,the dark side anglers in the main will help you.

Welcome to the dark side.

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Kevin

Anyone else?

What altitude is your lake at Morgan?

A cold windswept steep sided mountain reservoir, or lake, at 1,200' above sea level is a different proposition to a fertile shallow lowland lake.
Chalk and cheese tactics wise. Bear in mind the season closes in less than 2 weeks for natural wild browns.

The #6 outfit sounds good - say a WF floater and a mid-sinker to start.

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Save the softmouth trout

Hi Morgan.

You should adapt well using your experience as a river angler, although some of the flies and lures you will use will look a bit, shall we say big and awkward.

Arm yourself with a few cats whiskers and taddies, knock up a few bobbies and blobs, do not forget the shipmans, cdc's and F Flies. OH and some buzzers, and when things get really tough revert back to your river box and pick the trout off as you would in your local river.

Most of all enjoy yourself, and do not be shy to ask your fellow members for advise, and you will have a great time.

All the best let us know how you get on TK............

Go and buy "Trout from Small Stillwaters" by Peter Cockwill. It will also help you fish larger stillwaters too.

Hi Morgan, i hope i can help, but stillwaters are incredibly varied, much like the difference between the River Test and the River Thames! Is your fishery clear? Deep? what size? where in the country is it? how often is it stocked? Sorry to sound ridiculous but each of these factors will influence fly choice and tactics!

Cheers
Alex

Hi Morgan I believe the lake you are refering to is Taff Cwm Bargoed and if so don't abandon your river flies completely.Ijoined the club last year and this year Ihave caught afew fish on spider patterns such as soft hackles and snipe and purples(tied on sze14 hooks).The lake is shallow (3feet average)with a deeper channel near the footbridge and there is also a lot of pondweed(but this is cut back regularly).The wind can be quite strong on occasions and then Ifind that a slime line(clear intermediate) is the best way as the lake is often very clear,don't let it sink too far though or you will bring weed back almost every cast.Lures will catch fish, especially recently stocked ones but they are bombarded with lures after stocking(larger damsels are very popular)and soon wise up to them.Ihave also taken fish this season on smaller nymphs such as pheasant tails and hares ears.I normaly fish there every Saturday with my dad so if you are ever there on a Sat, we will try and help you as much as wer'e able.
all the best
Steve.

If it's flogged to death with lures start off with a damsel or olive woolly ****** (bu99er) - something that won't spook the fish. Most important of all, get advice from the regular anglers.

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How poor a thing, sometimes I find,
Will captivate a greedy mind - Isaac Walton.

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Thanks for the advice everyone