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A Rare mayfly has been discovered on two trout rivers in Derbyshire.

A Southern Iron Blue sub-species of the insect, was discovered during restoration work on to the rivers Dove and Manifold. It has two tails, a dark brown body and grey-blue coloured wings but has been described as in decline.

It is the first time the species has been recorded in the area, located within the Peak District National Park and near to Ilam.

Craig Macadam, national co-ordinator of the Mayfly Recording Scheme, described the discovery as “incredibly important”.

“The Southern Iron Blue Mayfly has suffered a huge decline in numbers in recent years,” he told the Derby Telegraph.

“This new sighting gives hope that it can be discovered in other watercourses in the Dove catchment and beyond.”

The Environment Agency’s David Ottewell added, “We now need to understand whether it has just come to Derbyshire, or whether it has always been there but there has been no record of it.”

Following on from the success of the Wye and Usk passport scheme, the Trent Rivers Trust have launched the Derbyshire Peak Passport Scheme.  In it’s first full season, there are 12 beats available in the wonderful surroundings of Derbyshire and Staffordshire Peak District.  All beats are on private land, accessible only with permission of the landowner.

The Peak Angling Passport is a scheme providing flexible access to a number of fishing beats through a payment system using tokens.  Tokens are available through our online shop, or in person.

The rivers and streams available through the Peak Angling Passport scheme are small, challenging fisheries containing wild trout and in some beats the occasional grayling. Stealth is the most important tool in the angler’s armoury; these fish will not tolerate a clumsy approach, so keep a low profile and step lightly. Where possible, the beats are probably best fished by careful wading; however some beats are too deep to wade, so take note of the advice in individual beat descriptions.

Rods of 8ft or less, rated for a #3 or #4 line, are best suited for these waters. Fly hatches include olives throughout the season, blue-winged olives in summer, olive uprights and brook duns (April and early May), Mayfly (late May and early June) and sedges. Useful fly patterns include imitations for the different life stages of the above insects, terrestrials (beetles, hawthorn fly), plus the ubiquitous klinks and hare’s ears!

Short leaders can be an advantage on the more confined beats, and furled leaders with a short tippet can be useful for dry fly fishing. Don’t ignore the wet fly – sparsely dressed spider patterns can be useful if fish are showing but refusing the dry fly. Nymph fishing can be productive, particularly the duo rig.

Remember you must hold a current Environment Agency rod licence to fish in UK waters, which are purchased from any Post Office.