Eaton Dovedale, River Dove

River level

The lowdown

• This is proper game-river water, with the club describing the section as containing the classic mix of deep pools, glides and riffles. Plenty to keep you busy as the river changes character.
• The stretch runs for approximately 1.75 miles, but peg numbers aren’t published. Access is single-bank, so stick to the permitted bank and take care around the river’s deeper bits.
• Fly fishing is the main game here. The club reports mayfly, olive and sedge hatches across its game rivers, with a good mayfly hatch at Eaton Dovedale in late May and early June.
• That late-May and early-June window sounds bob on for matching the hatch. Keep an eye on the surface, especially over the glides and above the deeper pools.
• Trout and grayling are the predominant species. It’s very much a light-line, searching-water sort of stretch rather than a chuck-anything-and-wait venue.
• There are chub and barbel too, though in smaller numbers than on the club’s Tutbury and Scropton sections. Chub to 6 lb are reported from here.
• Occasional pike to 20 lb are also reported, so a surprise encounter isn’t out of the question. Still, the place is geared around its game fishing rather than pike tactics.
• Access is via a tarmac farm road, with a parking area on the river bank at the top of the section. The club keeps detailed access information and maps in its members area.
• This is membership water, not a general public day-ticket fishery. Take your membership card and Environment Agency rod licence, and leave the peg and bank tidy.
• No night fishing is listed for Eaton Dovedale. Dogs and guns are prohibited, while fires, barbecues, tents and camping between fishing sessions are also banned.

Methods: Fly fishing is the obvious route, particularly around the late-May and early-June mayfly hatch. Work the glides, riffles and pool edges, keeping things neat and mobile rather than faffing about in one swim.

Access & tickets

This is Derby Railway Angling Club water and the club does not advertise day tickets for the stretch. Join as an Associate Coarse member for coarse fishing, or take Associate Trout & Coarse membership for all club waters and both game and coarse fishing; memberships run annually from 16 June.

Fish the club names

trout, chub, barbel, pike

Key rules

• Members must carry their membership card and Environment Agency rod licence.
• No night fishing is listed as permitted at Eaton Dovedale.
• No dogs or guns.
• No fires or barbecues.
• No tents or camping between fishing sessions.
• Remove rubbish and leave the peg and bank tidy.
• Published fishing times vary seasonally unless night fishing is specifically permitted.

Where it is