STENHOUSE RESERVOIR - Location: OS 65/210875

Brown trout only fisheries are a rarity these days, but the management of Stenhouse Loch have made a very wise decision in retaining a 'native stock only' policy for this attractive fishery. Stenhouse Reservoir has all the hallmarks of big brown trout water.

Sited two miles north of Burntisland on the A909, this loch is convenient for all the major urban areas of Fife, and also for the major holiday resort of Kinghorn.

Stenhouse is not a large water, encompassing only 35 acres of water with an average depth of approximately 3 metres. The water is generally crystal clear, but occasional algal blooms can reduce clarity, sometimes to the benefit of the angler (we don't want the fish too see too much after all!). As with most brown trout waters, Stenhouse fishes best in the shallows and margins, and drifts set-up to take in this type of water will suit the angler. The East End is the most popular boating area, as the West End can become weedy in the summer months.

Wading is popular and fruitful, the best areas being the Dam Wall and the South Shore (particularly in the region of the Sunken Wall). The North Shore has seen a dramatic improvement in recent years, and is well worth a go!

The loch is full of aquatic food items for the fish - sedge larvae, midge, caenis, shrimp and snails - and hatches can be spectacular. At such times, being afloat and mobile offers the best chances as nothing is quite so frustrating as being at the limit of one's waders and still out of reach of that steadily feeding 5 pounder! Although the general run of fish is satisfying 1.5 - 2 lb, fish of 4 and 5 lbs are common enough, and are generally taken either in the previously mentioned hatches, or during March and April, when they come sneaking into the margins for an early lunch.

There is a conscious policy decision by the management team to maintain a traditional approach at Stenhouse - anchoring is, if not actually forbidden, definitely frowned upon, and large, lure-type flies are banned. For those who consider these rules draconian, there are plenty of alternative venues, but Stenhouse is a gem of a water, and the rules enhance the fishing rather than spoil it!