December – Stillwater Fly Selection

December stillwater fishing in the UK is firmly winter-based, with cold water temperatures slowing fish movement and greatly reducing surface activity.

At this time of year, subsurface food sources dominate. Midges and buzzers remain one of the most reliable options throughout December, with trout often feeding slowly at depth or just below the surface. Careful depth control, slow retrieves, and long pauses are usually far more effective than active methods.

This time of year is great for larger lures like Bunny leeches and snakes.

Natural food availability is limited, and fish are typically conserving energy. As a result, simple, well-presented patterns fished with restraint tend to outperform larger or more animated flies.

On some waters, bloodworm can also play an important role during December, particularly in deeper areas where fish remain relatively static. These patterns are often most effective when fished close to the bottom with minimal movement.