Farmoor Reservoir

Situated 5 miles west of Oxford and surrounded by beautiful views of the countryside, Farmoor Reservoir is owned and managed by Thames Water.

A constant head of fish is maintained with an annual stocking of 35,000+ rainbow and brown trout. Stocked fish range from 1.1/2lb to 3lb, but soon pack on weight in the food rich water.

A man-made structure with a total of 400 acres, split into two waters; Farmoor I and Farmoor II, it is essentially one long dam wall, which due to the nature of its construction means that deep water can easily be reached from the bank. The spring and summer weed growth is also about 10 ft from the bank which makes it an ideal venue for all levels of anglers, from novice to the most experienced fly-fisherman.

Fishing Tips:

Farmoor is famous for its insect life and so offers a wide range of fishing styles during the season.

Spring: Weed growth can be found 10ft from the bank and the hoglice and other bugs in it attract the feeding fish with catches from surface to 10-15ft. Hairs ear and pheasant tail nymphs are very effective..

Spring/Early summer: Buzzers – Farmoor is famous for its prolific chironomid hatches, they appear like plumes of thick smoke above the trees. Try a team of buzzers on a 12-15ft leader (with or without a sight indicator or why not try a classic washing-line set up.

Summer: buzzer patterns and Diawl Bach's are successful throughout the summer with emerger and small dries Bobs Bits doing the business on the surface film.

Late Summer: When it gets really hot and everything seems quiet – try taking a boat out to the deepest water, where the fish find more oxygen, and try out bloodworm patterns or deep buzzers

Late Summer/Autumn: Again, Farmoor is famous for its “Daddy soup” and fish go into a feeding frenzy on the surface for Crane flies, terrific sport which can last until early December.

Winter: With little insect life, fish pack on the protein and turn to fry-feeding on the course fish-fry and on the bottom on bloodworm and snails which are found on the clay about 40m out. Try Zonkers and Minkies.

Daphnia clouds are prolific in the water almost all year round, providing a large part of the trout’s diet – which is why Farmoor fish are so quick to grow on. Where the trout are preoccupied with Daphnia, orange lures or Blobs will work at the right depth. Remember Daphnia are higher in the water in low light i.e. cloud and swim down in bright sun.

Tight lines, remember to use our Forum to let us know how you get on!