Top End

The Top End is the name given to the area of willow which surrounds the main feeder stream coming in from the Ubley Hatchery.

This area of water holds fish well in the early part of the season (up to the first eight weeks if the water level holds up) but falling water levels and increasing water temperatures tend to drive the fish into deeper water.

In the main, the Top End is best fished from a drifting boat (particularly in light winds across the face of the willow bushes) but there are several individual points of interest:

In the middle of the Top End about thirty yards from the end of the willow bushes, where the willow bushes break into defined "hedges" there is a small depression in the lake bed. The fish will push right into the willow bushes here particularly after a stiff southwesterly breeze which forces early season food items such a daphnia among the willows.

On the north side of the Top End, a few more isolated willows locate the inlet of the main feeder stream where the current pushes along these bushes and under the pines (Rugmoor Pines). In the early season, larger fish tend to be found along the "flow line" of the stream (which can clearly be seen after heavy rain as a silt plume) which eventually dissipates along the side of Rugmoor Point. Bank access is available from the Pines but chest waders are a must to provide enough room for a back-cast.

It is worth noting that after heavy rain, the feeder stream will produce heavy silting in the water - this normally clears within two or three days but can reduce fish feeding activity. After heavy rain, where a strong flow persists from the feeder and in the right wind conditions (typically a strong westerly or southwesterly) the silt plume will often "double over" on itself and push back into Bell's, Woods or Wookey Point.

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