Looking for some tips from all you experienced Still water Brown Trout fishermen.

I've had no problems catching Rainbows, but the Browns are eluding me. I've recently fished a Browns only water (Harlock Reservoir near Ulverston Cumbria) and noticed that very few fish are showing on the surface whereas the Rainbows on nearby Reservoirs are showing on the surface in great numbers. Using a floating line I tried a team of buzzers on a long leader (had one pull), PTN's, GRHE etc without success. I did try an Intermediate but got snagged up a couple of times so reverted back to the floating line setup.

Is it a bit early in the year? Is the water temperature a major factor?

I won't give up, but would like to see your opinions on anything that will improve my chances.

Thanks Valkyrie

Get yourself some Kate McLarens in size 10 and 12...fish a team of 2 on floater or intermediate and you will get more browns.

The wild brownies are probably still a bit lethargic after such a hard winter.
A bit of heat over the next couple of weeks should hopefully bring them on the feed.
May is usually a better month for them.

I apologise if my approach is slightly different...my experience comes from fishing the midlands reservoirs...so i'm not sure how much use it'll be to you..

Look at the reservoir, are there any area's that are predominatly gravel bottomed (for example blue pipes at Rutland....gravels at Pitsford).....

If so it's my experience that the Browns will tend to hold in these areas early april/may and late season sept/oct simply because some may try and spawn..

Other good area's are inlets and streams coming into the reservoir.. or drop offs or sailing clubs etc.....

I usually find that the browns hold deeper in the water than rainbows, so fish accordingly....preferably just off bottom

My best flies are Black & silver Hummungus, a Minkie booby or a Tube all fished deep and slow.

You did say "anything" that may help.....;-)

If not give it another 2 weeks and if this warm spell continues than the fish will be hard on the buzzers and looking for food

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I agree it will get easier.
The browns usualy start moving more when the light starts to go, so fish into the dark especially in the summer.
Good luck!

Munro

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Pick a windy day,stick on a team of palmers and keep on the move,casting and walking.Whatever ye do,don't stand in the one spot and hope that they move into your area like rainbows will.You must cover the water and go to them.

Absolutley, a common mistake people make when fishing for brownies for the first time is not moving enough.