Rose Park Fishery fishing guide
January - March tactics
Rose Park is usually gin clear early in the season and boasts plentiful midge and caddis hatches, this gives anglers the opportunity to outwit the resident overwintered fish on small dries and nymph patterns. A single dry resembling a midge (size 14-26) or Caddis imitation such as a scruffy deer hair sedge (size 10-16) can work wonders during the warmest parts of the day.
If fish aren't showing, we recommend light or weighted nymphs fished around structure and patches of pondweed growth, a pale/olive coloured nymph is always a great choice.
​
Small Lures will work very well at this time of year, fast retrieves through the open water will provoke aggressive takes from all species and sizes of trout. Casting around structure such as the sunken Willow or columns of pond plants usually gains interest from the larger specimens in the lake.
April - June Tactics
As the water warms, the sun shines and the pond weeds start to grow, the fish become very active, with dry fly action from first to last light. This is the best and easiest time to fish.
A mix of mayfly, caddis, stonefly, damsel and midge hatch through the day with fish becoming extremely focused on particular hatches, it's worth taking the time to identify what the fish are feeding on, then try your best to imitate it. We have found that utilizing a New-Zealand style dropper in order to fish a small nymph or buzzer in the feeding zone of the fish is extremely effective and usually catches the larger fish.
​
The waters are usually clear through spring, and stalking fish becomes a very realistic prospect. We find Brown trout of all sizes hugging the banks close to overhanging vegetation, these will usually take a small nymphs, dries or stalking bug if presented well enough. If stalking in more open waters, watch for signs of fish moving around columns of Pond Plants, these trout are usually actively feeding fish looking for food close to the plant growth.
July - September Tactics
We wont lie, the fishing can get tough during the hottest months. The stocking is reduced during this period in order to preserve the health of the resident fish.
Both lakes will experience prolific aquatic plant growth, bringing an abundance of aquatic life. Unfortunately the pondweeds can get caught up in weighted flies and intermediate lines, the only real method of fishing is with a dry fly or small light nymphs/buzzers with a floating Line.
The trout generally become picky during the day, but will be much more willing to rise for a dry/emerger during the early morning or evenings, once the light intensity drops. The most effective method would be to use a light rod #4/5, floating line, a long tippet and single fly imitating a: small midge, caddis, alder, hopper or daddy long legs. If you like challenging, but rewarding fishing then this is your place.
​
October - December Tactics
A fall in water/air temperature brings about an intensity from the large resident fish as they stock pile the last of the plentiful food before the winter.
Trout who've spent the summer months stuck to the bottom, will now freely move about the water column looking for any nymph, dry or terrestrial in its path.
Fresh stocks of Rainbow and Brown trout in the autumn will certainly increase competition for food, which will be sure to make the fishing easier on the whole.
​
We find the best fish picking off small terrestrials from fallen leaf debris, so it's advisable to be vigilant of these areas of leaf litter and to fish them with small nymphs (size 14-18).
On dreary, quiet days, anglers may find it appropriate to use small weighted lures and nymphs to explore the deeper more open waters.
Recommended Tackle
Lake Tackle- A fly rod rated between #4 - 7 and 7 - 10' in length with a matching Reel and Floating/ Sink tip fly line is appropriate for fishing Rose Park
​
​
River Tackle - A fly rod rated between # 0- 4 and 5 - 9' in length with a matching reel and floating line is suitable for the River Penpont.
*Euro nymphing techniques are very effective after a spate and rod up to 10' can be used when fishing these techniques.
​
Recommended flies
Natural patterns works the best on these waters, careful observation of the environment and any fish movement will reveal what insects are around and what is being targeted by the feeding trout.
​
​
Dry and emerging Caddis, Midge and Mayfly will work extremely well at Rose Park when the fish are topping to emerging insects. The flies to use are: Klinkhammers, Deer hair caddis, Cinnamon Sedge, CDC Elk, BWO, May Duns, Griffith's Gnat, Adams Dry.
Olive, brown and pale nymphs that imitate Damsel, Dragonfly, Caddis and Mayfly are very effective when stalking fish or prospecting the waters. The flies to use are: Pheasant tail Nymphs, Hairs Ear Nymph, Pheasant Tail Olives, Diawl bach, Peeping Caddis, Caddis, Grannom Pupa.
​
Black, White and Olive lures are most effective at Rose Park from Autumn to Spring and should imitate large damsel fly large, dragonfly larvae and tadpoles. The flies to use are: Cat's Whisker, Dawsons Olive, Micro Olive Minkie, flash damsels.