Scoat Tarn

About

Sitting below Scoat Fell and Red Pike, is the glacial bowl of Scout Tarn. Ennerdale Water sits to the north west, and Wast Water to the south. The tarn itself, is approximately 350m at its longest point and 180m at its widest. It has a reported depth of 20m or 65 ½ ft.

There is no shortage of brown trout in the tarn, and at times the surface can be alive with fish feeding on the varied aquatic life, and terrestrials blown onto the surface.
The tarn is protected from both the north and the east, so a south or south-westerly breeze is required to put a consistent ripple on the water.

The water is crystal clear, with the bed of the tarn rocky. A few metres in, particularly along the eastern shore, sparse weed grows on the marginal shelf before it drops away into deeper water. This is where some of the best fishing can be found. Standard dry fly, or short line tactics with a team of flies, should result in steady action, with most fish being in the 6-8” size bracket. Although the fish are small the action is good, and there are reports of 2lb fish occasionally being caught.

When fished in June, the bay at the south of the tarn, was almost like a nursery ground, with lots of very small trout visible when the water was flat calm.

The easiest route, is to park, at one of the many off road parking areas at Nether Beck, and follow the path along the beck for about 4km. Travel as light as you can, the path is rocky in places, with 540m of ascent, but the walk offers stunning scenery, all around. If you are into Tenkara, try the deep plunge pools on the way up, they hold small trout that have been washed down, and with its fast flowing rocky waters, this is an ideal location.

Location