If you are interested in a fly dressing class in the new year leave your details in the shop

Or to book call 01433 620662

A chance to blow the dust of the old vice, meet old friends and maybe make some new ones.

We are calling this an improvers class but do not be put off, nothing too complicated!

In the new year (23rd January)

At the Hope Valley College

On Monday evenings

At 7 :15

Till 9pm

For the last couple of years, during the
period between Christmas and New Year,
we’ve “enjoyed” traditional grayling
weather – freezing conditions, snow, low
water and ice in the margins. This year
it’s been the opposite with heavy rain, high
water and temperatures in double figures.

On Boxing Day the river level had been
edging into the “danger of flooding”
segment of the EA’s Ashford river gauge
but happily it was easing back by the time
we arrived for our traditional “cabin-fever”
get together on the following day. A glance
over the bridge at the Bobbin Mill confirmed
it was still high but fining down nicely,
with that lovely tinge of jade which always
gives me confidence at this time of year.

There were plenty of midges in the air as we
tackled up, enjoying a Sloegasm, courtesy
of Chris Pryor’s well stocked mobile drinks

rainbow, quickly followed by a very nice
grayling which had taken the Serendipity

cabinet. Rather unsteadily we made our
way up and down the river to see if the
grayling were coming out to play.

There was nothing showing on the surface
so I put on a couple of reasonably heavy
nymphs – a PTN on the point and a white
bead head Serendipity on the dropper. The
PTN was tied on one of those Czech
cranked-shank jig hooks which fish with
the hook point uppermost. This took the
first fish – a spanking bright winter

as the cast came round behind me. This is
a characteristic grayling take. Stuart
Crofts was telling me later over a pint that
the fish will often gather behind an angler,
feeding on stuff dislodged by his wading.
So it always pays to fish out the cast,
drawing the flies slightly upstream then
letting them down again, a movement that
grayling find irresistible. A sort of
downstream induced take. Another bright
silver rainbow followed, fin perfect and
bursting with life, and then the tiniest
grayling I’ve ever caught – no more than 3
inches but a perfect little specimen.

It was now 1.30 pm and time for a cup of
tea with some of Dr Smith’s Christmas
Cake and Wensleydale Cheese. And of
course on cue, a hatch of Olives started as
soon as we were tucking in. A few fish
started to show on the surface but we’d all
had a fish or two during the morning and
the lure of the pub was now more attractive.

Later, over lunch at the Cock & Pullet,
Stuart asked us – which olive did we think
had been hatching? We all assumed Large
Darks, but in fact they were actually Blue
Wings, Stuart having caught a specimen
which he produced from his fly box, still
alive. Quite amazing to see them hatching
so late in the year, presumably encouraged

Cressbrook & Litton Flyfishers’ Club
Fishing Report 29 December 2011

by the mild weather, and a reminder never
to assume anything in fly fishing.

I shall be doing more shooting than fishing
in January but given reasonable weather, I
intend to put in a few more grayling
sessions as the days start to draw out
during February and early March. I hope
I’ll see you on the riverbank.

Happy New Year & tight lines!
DJM

david@mgrw.co.uk to order.

loui is a great undrestated pro angler and it is safe to say he has made a particular range of flies his very own all are welcome, do not have to be a member.£3 admision

lots of rising grayling on the wye still, low clear, medium sizedi olives

Bakewell crimbo lights, turns ,may attractions late night shopping including us please se bakewell web for detals

The Peak Passport waters also have some Grayling fishing available with some surprisingly large fish in the Manifold and Dove.

On the stillwater scene, Press Manor is fishing well, as is Barlow.  On the larger stilwaters fish are now switching onto the fry.

On the Pike fishing front, we spent a day on a large midlands water with angling writer and all round good egg, Robert Tomes.  Robert is a reknowned Muskie fly fisherman and is the author of the Muskie bible, “Muskie on the Fly.”  Fishing on intermediate lines we took numerous Pike upto mid-doubles.

The site would be on the old Victoria Mill off Buxton Road.

The plan would include dredging the leat which runs from the weir at The Old Packhorse bridge by Lumford Cottages. It would take up to 35% of the flow under the bridge and deplete very nearly the entire stretch of Scotts Gardens

This would be disaster for several reasons as you can imagine, and would have a devastating affect on the spawning grounds of the wild Trout and Graying populations, not to mention the affect on other water creatures and invertebrates.

The proposed scheme would generate 4 kw per hour at max not to mention lining the pockets of the directors of Sustainable Bakewell.

Sustainable Bakewell are not in this for their green policies, they are in it to make a substantial profit for their own personal gain.

Please show your support for B.A.T.H (Bakewell Against the Hydro) by sending an email to bath@bakewellflyfishing.com showing your opposition to the proposed Hydro scheme.

For more information please see the following link:  http://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/news/local-news/fears_hydro_plan_could_ruin_river_1_3863754

Another summer draws to a close, and out winter meetings start again. I hope you will enjoy the programme this year, I’ve tried to make it varied.

We meet again at The Devonshire Arms in Baslow, starting at 7.30pm, on the second Wednesday of the month. There is a salsa dance group now every Tuesday so we have had to change nights (but please be aware we may need to change venues on occasions – watch this space). Against the current financial trends the charge for the evening has GONE DOWN to £2 (still £1 for juniors though)!

October 12th: Wendy Gibson will as usual get us started with a fly trying presentation, and I’m sure will share some first class information.

November 9th: Stuart Crofts needs no introduction, his presentation will be as interesting and enjoyable as ever – further details later.

December 14th: Louis Noble is from Wrexham and is a principal instructor and holds the Game Angling Instructor Association’s highest qualification of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructor (APGAI). Details of his presentation will follow.

January 11th: Dr Nick Everall’s presentation is entitled ‘Fish, flies and folk’. A modern day version of ‘Tales from the river bank’ over 30 years working on waterways ranging from salmon rivers to garden ponds. Nick will share some of his working and fishing experiences of the weird and wonderful that he has encountered in both wildlife and people along the way! His view is that life is not about some end goal or destination but more about enjoying the journey and what we discover along the way. Prepare to be hopefully a little amused, possibly a tadge scared at times of what is lurking out there and may be a little more informed about life in our rivers than when you first sat down.

February 8th: Richard Ward Will give a thought provoking presentation discussing and showing us his excellent dry flies (and perhaps a nymph or two for the Grayling).

March 14th: Dinner at The Devonshire Arms, wives (husbands) or partners very welcome to join us.

Everyone is welcome (you don’t need to be a member of Grayling Society.

Date and venue to be agreed by mutual