Rivers

Long leaders and small flies are the order of the day on the rivers at the minute. On the Peacock stretch of the Wye, small sedges are taking plenty of fish. Good spinner hatches in the evening and the angler that fishes until dark will be rewarded.

Despite a lack of rain the Derwent is running with a slight amount of colour. Mixed reports coming from this River.

It’s a similar story on the upper Dove. The river is a good 6 inches lower than it’s normal summer level but running with a slight amount of colour. Despite this, there are plenty of fish to be caught. Hatches of spinners and medium olives are coming off. Lots of rising fish in the more shaded areas.

Stillwaters

At Foremark the average fish per angler was 5.1 for week ending 8/8/10. The aerators are on and it’s no surprise to know that the fish are congregating around these. Dries, crunchers and cdc buzzers are taking the majority of fish.

Errwood Reservoir near Buxton has been fishing well. West Bank still fishing well to small nymphs. Some good fish showing around the 3lb mark.

We are now into the dog days of high summer making the fishing tricky for stillwater and river anglers alike.

Rivers

 
As I type this report we are getting a good downpour, however I fear it won’t be enough to get the rivers back upto normal level.  The rivers haven’t been this low for quite sometime.  Despite this, good fish are still being caught on the Wye for those prepared to fish small and fine.  Long leaders are the order of the day.  Presenting a fly on a drag free drift should provide rewards.  The angler who is prepared to stay late will fare better.

The Derwent is very low and running slightly off colour making fishing tricky.  The odd good Grayling has been caught though.

We are hearing similar stories from the Peak Passport waters.  The low water is making fishing tricky on these tiny streams.  The fish tend to be more concentrated so look for well oxygenated water.

Stillwaters

On the Stillwater scene.  Barlow has lots of fish bulging under the surface.  With good caenis hatches we are guessing they are taking the nymphs prior to breaking through the meniscus.  A small caenis fished static for long periods can prove productive.

At Carsington good hatches of buzzers have been reported.  Plenty of fish are moving out in the main basin.

At Foremark the average fish per angler was 2.6 for week ending 25/7/10.  The aerators are on and it’s no surprise to know that the fish are congregating around these.  The cascade is also producing good catches.  Patterns producing the goods are daddies, hoppers and damsel nymphs.

Errwood Reservoir near Buxton has been fishing well on the west bank, duffers bank and on the island.  Some good wild browns have been taken.  Dries, Klinkhammers and daddies are doing the business.

Rivers

Despite the lack of rain the rivers are fishing suprisingly well.  The Wye at dusk is absolutely boiling with fish.  Fish rising to BWO and spinners.  Don’t get suckered in to fishing at the same rising fish.  Keep on the move and casting at fresh fish.

Derwent anglers are reporting some mixed fortunes.  Lots of fish around including some big Grayling.  Anything small and well presented would be a good bet.

Stillwaters

It’s the time of year when the stillwaters start to get hard.  The dog days of July and August can test even the most skilled anglers.  Carsington is fishing well to small sedges presented on a light leader.

Foremark is hard at the minute.

Rivers

Rivers are low at the minute due to the lack of rain. We will need more than the downpour we had overnight to bring them back up their rightful level. Despite this the fishing has been very good on our rivers. On the Derwent, lot’s of small stuff including greenfly, medium olives including spinners and of course mayfly have been taking fish.

On the Wye plenty of good size fish have been coming to olives and mayfly.

Also worth trying  small sedge pattern in the evening in the faster runs.

On the Peak Passport waters, some good size fish have been coming out of the upper stretches of the Dove with one exceptional fish of over 20 inch being caught. Some good size Grayling have also been spotted. They are currently out of season but should provide good sport come Autumn.

Stillwaters

It’s s a similar tale at most stillwaters with lots of fishing moving just out of range of the average cast.  If you are fishing one of the big reservoirs it’s at this time of year when boat fishing starts to come into it’s own.  If you are bank fishing try hanging on until dusk when the fish should move closer to the bank to feed. Sport has slowed down at Ogston however good bags of fish are still being taken. Fish are feeding on pin fry in the shallows. Fish a small fry pattern or a gold head nymph pulled through the fry. Lot’s of good buzzers hatching late in the evening along with pond olives. Some good Perch are being taken and also quality roach on buzzers fished at the last knockings on the shallows.Press Manor is fishing well. Fish taking dries all over the lake. Try a small sedge or a small black gnat under the trees. Don’t be tempted to fish too far out as there are a lot of fish in the edge here.

Week Ahead

As the mayfly peter out on the rivers, the BWO’s should start coming back into their own. Also we should expect to see some good spinner falls in the evening. More rain is expected mid-week which should liven up the rivers and stillwaters with temperatures more on the cool side which should make fishing more enjoyable. On the rivers keep an eye out for Iron Blue’s during the wet weather.

Rivers

Despite the fact the rivers are low, the Wye and the Derwent are both fishing their respective heads off at the minute.  Lots of mayfly around now, and the fish are on them.  Discount other flies at your peril though.  Good fish have been taken on greenfly, with midges and medium olives around in abundance. The Olives are showing later in the afternoon. There is still the odd hawthorn about too.

Keep an eye out for those tiny rises as they can yield some surprising results.  Good luck to all those who have been lucky to get a ticket on the Wye at this special time of year.

Stillwaters

Foremark has been fishing well with good sized fish between four and six pounds. Best areas for boats, Ticknall Bank, Heron Bay, Cascade and Flamingo Bay. On the bank, Hut Point, Sunblest Bay and Bramble Bay. Flies worth a try at the minute are Booby’s, Damsels, black or olive Buzzers.

Rivers

The Wye is producing some fantastic if not challenging fishing at the minute.  Fish are on small stuff at the minute.  Lots of greenfly about so it’s worth trying anything small.  Also medium olives and the odd mayfly are starting to show.  The river is very low at the minute and we are desperately in need of rain.  The fish are concentrated so keep on the move until you find them.  Try faster runs where there is plenty of oxygen.  Availability on the Wye for the mayfly is few and far between now, so if you want a dabble on this lovely stretch river you may already be too late. Give The Peacock Hotel at Rowsley a call as booking is essential.

Some bank clearance has been taking place making the back cast more manageable in previously hard to get to places.  The Wye is booked solid now for the next three weeks for the prime mayfly time.  If you’re one of the lucky few to have a ticket then you will be in for a treat.

Flies to have on your person at the minute are Elk Hair Caddis, BWO and Griffiths Gnat.

If you want to fish the Wye, then it’s worth looking at the Litton and Cressbrook stretch at Monsal Dale.  Contact Details are on the “Lakes and Rivers”

If smaller streams and jungle warfare are more your thing, then the Peak Passport offers some wonderful fishing on the Dove and Manifold.  Reports of how the rivers are fishing under the passport scheme are few and far between but we hope to get more info in the near future.

Stillwaters

The hot weather doesn’t seem to be deterring the fish from feeding on the DCAC waters.  Ogston is fishing very well with double figure bags of trout.  Buzzers and Montana’s fishing well.  Keep on the move until you find the fish.  Willington also fishing well to buzzers.Rumour has it that Ladybower has been taken over by two local anglers. If anyone can confirm this please email us at enquiries@bakewellflyfishing.com. A reliable source informs us that fish have been rising down the snake arm and there are also unconfirmed reports that Alan Purnell cracked a smile in the ticket office one morning.

The Week Ahead

If you’re on the rivers then it’s all about the mayfly.  On the stillwaters, try crippled emergers in the surface film during the long warm evenings.

One for the diary. The Trout & Salmon Association will be holding a junior fishing day on the 1st June at Press Manor Fisheries. The cost will be £17.50. All tackle supplied. For more info, contact the shop on 01629 813531.