Warm day, fat trout and a bed of nettles for unwary

It may well be one of the best cared for waters that I have visited; in 2006 the estate were joint winners of the prestigious Wild Trout Trust award for conservation. The river has not been artificially stocked since 2003 and yet it abounds with truly wild grayling, brown trout and breeding rainbow trout (probably unique in this country).

The waters are absolutely gin clear and abound with aquatic plants and invertebrates, so there is ample natural food for the river inhabitants.

This is not an accident; it is due to determined habitat improvement, led by Warren the indomitable river keeper. The rule here is that only dry flies may be used, dressed on barbless hooks. For the non-anglers, that means flies that float. For the anglers it means a challenge and the need for stealth and skill. Also, all fish must be returned to the water.

Mark and I met at the Peacock Hotel in Rowsley on a warm day at the end of September. I was pleased to note that my companion was fully-trousered since waders are not allowed here, not even the dreaded thigh variety. It was a rolled-up shirt sleeve day and so thus attired, we crossed the stile and set off down river, staying far enough away from the water’s edge to avoid spooking the fish. We parted company and I walked further downstream as Mark made his first cast to a fish seen rising by the far bank.

I began to look for a fish to address myself and such was my concentration that I failed to notice the bramble that snagged my foot and rolled me into a bed of nettles. “Oh dear me, what a shame” I exclaimed to no-one.

We had a wonderful day, although the fishing was not easy; the weather would be my excuse! I missed a few takes to my fly and lost a few hooked fish too. Very late in the day, my hands and arms still tingling from nettle stings, we could see the bridges in Bakewell, next to the car park where our chauffeur (wife) had been due to meet us nearly an hour previously.

There were still people on bridges dropping bread into the water for the ducks. By every bridge, we could see enormous fish intercepting the bread that the ducks missed, especially the crusty bits that floated. Now, smart anglers will spend a lot of time sitting quietly by the river, watching the feeding habits of the fish and choosing a fly accordingly. It’s commonly known as “matching the hatch”. It did not take much study to work out the feeding pattern of these scaly scavengers. We were both transfixed by the sight of specimen trout and grayling throwing caution to the wind and scoffing bits of bakery.

Mark and I are due to return to the river next spring, so I have already contacted Steve and ordered a couple of dozen Warburton’s Wonders, the first is pictured here. Just kidding Warren, honest.

Flies dressed by Stephen Cheetham. 0113 2507244. www.fishingwithstyle.co.uk

Narrative by Roger Beck 01439 788483.