HOLL RESERVOIR - Location: OS 58/225036

This charming little water is run by the East of Scotland Water Authority, and is a fully functioning water supply, supplying water to Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and North Fife. It will, therefore, be of no surprise that electric outboard and muscle power are the only means of propulsion allowed. But this is a minor inconvenience as the reservoir is, at 45 acres, not by any means large.

The general impression, when looking away from the dam wall, is of wildness. It does not look like a man-made water, and this is reinforced by the fact that the western shore is a designated SSSI, with rare and important plant species present. Reeds and rushes grow in the western and northern margins, and native trees and brushes hang over the eastern margins. With a maximum depth of 14 metres and an average depth of 6 metres it is unlikely that the fish will be anything other than surface-active.

However, sitting as it does on the upper slopes of the Lomond Hills, an early season trip will probably necessitate the use of a sinking line.

These upland reservoirs are renowned for responding well to dry fly tactics. This is mainly due to the fact that wind-blown terrestrial flies such as Heather, Hawthorn and Crane Flies can be very important parts of the trout menu. A gentle drift out from the sheltered shore when such food items are present, or when fish can be seen feeding on the surface, should produce the goods. In a decent wave, drifts onto the dam wall are likely to be productive, but as a standard rule drifting within a cast's length of the shore will be the best bet!

As this is a boat-only venue, and anchoring is not permitted, some experience of boat work will stand the visitor in good stead.