Upper River Derwent — Ladybower Reservoir outflow to Grindleford

River level

The lowdown

• The water starts just below Ladybower Reservoir and runs all the way to Grindleford — roughly six miles under the Derwent Fly Fishing Club’s control.
• It’s a lovely mix of open farmland and steep wooded gorges, so the river’s got plenty of character rather than fishing the same way from top to bottom.
• Upstream of Leadmill Bridge is run as a wild fishery. Below the bridge, the club stocks small numbers of rainbow trout during the season.
• The club describes the river as holding a large head of wild brown trout and grayling. Proper wild-fish water, with the fish likely to reward a quiet approach.
• Fly only, with stealth and matching the hatch singled out as successful approaches. Keep it tidy and don’t go charging about the bank.
• There are good hatches of many fly species, plus abundant freshwater shrimp in the river. Plenty to think about when choosing a pattern.
• Guest access is organised rather than casual. Beats must be booked, guests meet their host at Leadmill Farm car park and everyone signs in before fishing.
• Waders, boots and nets must be sterilised before fishing. A faff, perhaps, but it’s part of the club’s biosecurity rules.
• The season dates vary by fish: brown trout and rainbows are listed from 18 April to 7 October, while grayling runs from 16 June to the end of February.
• Club car parks are available at Shaley Bank Wood, the Quarry, By Flats, below Yorkshire Bridge and at the Grindleford Hut. The club asks anglers to use them instead of parking on roads.

Methods: Fly fishing only. Keep things stealthy, watch the hatches and match what’s moving; the abundant freshwater shrimp are another useful clue when the fish are on the munch.

Access & tickets

Fishing is primarily for Derwent Fly Fishing Club members and accompanied guests. Members receive five complimentary guest day tickets at the start of the season and may buy up to three more at a price set by the AGM; guest beats must be booked through the club.

Fish the club names

trout, bream

Key rules

• Fishing is fly only.
• Barbless hooks are requested, or barbs must be flattened.
• Guests must be accompanied by a member, meet their host at Leadmill Farm car park and sign in before fishing.
• Beats must be booked for guests.
• Waders, boots and nets must be sterilised before fishing.
• A non-member guest may angle for no more than seven days in a season.
• Guest tickets are valid from 15 March to the end of February.
• Member and guest catch limits apply, including a guest take-or-kill limit of one brace per day.

Where it is