Emails have been flooding into South East Water from anglers asking whether it was worth getting the rod and line out of mothballs for the start of the trout season.

I was half expecting dangling a fly in puddles when I pulled up at Arlington Reservoir at Berwick, near Polegate.

But there it was in all its splendour, a magnificent 120 acres of beautiful landscape, designated a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature.

David Shore, South East Water's director of operations, insisted Arlington was the exception because it was one of the South's most "robust" water containers.

Mr Shore said: "It is partly due to patterns of rainfall - the Eastbourne area is watered more then most and Arlington has a good reliable source in the Cuckmere River. It is also at the bottom of the catchment area."

Much of the rain falling in the area ends up in the reservoir.

So why so much fuss about hosepipe bans and Doomsday predictions? Mr Shore said: "We pump out an average 400 megalitres of water every day. Arlington pumps out only 20 megalitres.

"More than 70 per cent of our water comes from underground sources and these are particularly low."

South East Water wants three months of rain to avert serious water restrictions this year. Some parts of the region have had their lowest rainfall since 1921, causing water supplies at reservoirs such as Bewl Water, on the Kent-Sussex border, to dwindle.

The company may have to apply for further restrictions, which would prohibit watering places such as golf courses.

The scare stories have put off some anglers, thinking there's none of the wet stuff left to fish in. But South East Water is anxious to spread the word: "Come in, the water is fine."

Fishing is the only form of recreation allowed on the reservoir, which has the South Downs and Long Man of Wilmington as backdrops.

More than 3,500 rainbow trout have been shipped in to stock the waters to herald the start of the season.

The reservoir normally attracts anglers of all ages.

Emma Goddard, sustainable development manager at South East Water, said: "All our staff are passionate about fly-fishing and are pleased to provide friendly, up-to-the minute advice on successful fishing methods."

A fleet of 16 boats with electric engines can be hired and permits, tackle and flies are at the reservoir's Fishing Lodge.

Tuition is available for novices and a two-fish bank permit costs from £9 for members and from £14 for non-members. Juniors fish for free by sharing catch limits on a paying adult's ticket.

Few were there on this snowy day. The freezing conditions kept the fish out of site, too.

Fishery ranger Tom Todd, a devout trout man, helped me brush up my casting and accompanied me along the reservoir banks in search of some of the plethora of fish.

But the only bite I had was the chili and apple tart served up for lunch.

Oh, yes, and a glass of water.