I am thinking of paying a visit this weekend. Anyone fished these waters and give any tips.

I have visited the web site, nice design but not really that much info on the fishing.

thanks in advance

Hi Ian,

Not fished Sweethope yet this season, as it fairly exposed and takes a while to warm up. As a result fish will tend to be be 3 - 5 ft down taking lures.

There are 2 lakes, 100 acre top lake with boats and wading allowed and the little lake at approx 12 acres and no wading.

My tactics at this time of the year would be the little lake with a 5ft sink tip fishing a goldhead damsel. Searching out the depths. If fish aren't forthcoming, a change to a fritz cats whisker usually always brings results.

As the season progresses, fish will take buzzers, small nymphs and dry when conditions dictate.

If its your first visit, Rob the fisher manager will always advise of the killer fly of the moment and where the fish are showing.

regards

Stu

(thanks for the reply, spoke with manager on phone today, he claims that the water is fishing well at the moment. The last two days should have warmed it up a little lets hope the next two stay the same. Its always nice to try somthing different.

Thanks

Good luck Ian, let us know how you get on.

regards

Stu

Ian,

I've found Sweethope responds well to a cats whisker or technocat (cats whisker with a glo-brite No. 4 or similar red head) early in the season. As you leave the moorings into the large lake, go past the end of the right hand bank by about 50yrds, turn right and run parallel to the bank for about another 30yrds and you should be over a large deep hole which holds a lot of fish - again just at the beginning of the season.

Some excellent top-of-the-water sport can be had when it warms up with traditional flies fishing on the drift.

Enjoy.........

Geordie,

It has been years since I last fished Sweethope, but I do have fond memories of the place. Small traditional wets were the ticked for my geordie friend John Gibson and I.

The bigger lake tended to be more productive for me. How is that for you?

Cheers,
Hans W

Hans,

My own list would be mallard and claret on the point, black pennel middle and a bibio top dropper. All very old fashioned and lacking any great colour but I have found the more sombre coloured flies to be a better choice for this water.

Geordie,

Remaining seated in the boat (keep low profile, no rocking boat), number 4 floater and size 16 tandem Worm Fly for me

Cheers,
Hans W

might be going a little early in the season it seams. Anyway i will let you know how it turns out.

Sweethope Loughs today. First visit to this fishery, location is spot on, quiet, nice scenery, that said I was lucky today with the weather would not like to be there if the wind picks up.

Spent the morning on the bank and the afternoon on the boat. If I was to give any advice the top lough (Big lough ) waders are essential without them I imagine there are very few places to fish. Forget any other lines apart from floating, I expect the deepest part must be 5ft.

Anyway 2 fish for 6.5lbs. Dawsons olive the fly of choice, tied with Olive and peach? Will go back when the weather warms up to sample the top of the water sport which is cracking (Apparently).

Good day over all.