Burrator Reservoir.

Burrator Reservoir is classed by South West Water as a Budget Fishery, which means to say that it is not stocked and managed as well as their premier fisheries.

Having said that, at £9.25 for a dayticket you will be fishing what is undoubtedly the Westcountries most picturesque trout fishery. The rugged grandeur of Dartmoor stretches away to the horizon, on the East and North sides of the reservoir, with the heights of Sheepstor only a brisk walk from Norsworthy Bridge car park. The view from the top making the effort to climb to the top well worth the effort.

The water contained in the reservoir is almost always cold and crystal clear, making it very necessary to fish long fine, flash free leaders on floating and occasionally intermediate lines. The fish are rarely over a pound and a half, unless you find one of the old dog trout which are very occasionally spotted rooting about in the margins.

Three or four pound points are favorite amongst the local anglers and small dark flies such as a black and peacock, montana, GRHE, PTN and buzzer as well as traditional wets such as bibio, butcher, black pennel and Irish tyings of the duckfly are all reliable. Try these flies tied on #12's and #14's and fish them with very little induced movement.

There is a reliable sedge hatch later in the season and this is best fished early in the day and again later in the evening. Small dark sedge patterns fished as the sun goes down, when the owls start hooting and the nocturnal wildlife starts to rummage about in the bushes, all make for some memorable and quite addictive fishing.

The dry black gnat, shipman's and tiny emergers tied with cul de canard or siliconised polyprop tow will also tempt these beautifully marked moorland fish.

BURRATOR RESERVOIR.

Yelverton,

Nr. Plymouth,

Devon.

Season: 15th March till 12th October

Prices. £9.25, 4 fish. New prices Spring 2003.

Tickets from Dartmoor Inn, Dousland.

BP Garage at Yelverton.

SWW Leisure Services. Call 01 837 871 565.

Recommended Pub/eatery.

Dartmoor Inn, Dousland.

Travel Tips.

Take the A386 north out of Plymouth toward Tavistock. At the Yelverton roundabout take the B3212 toward Princetown. Take the turning signposted for Burrator halfway through Yelverton village.