River Dove – Tutbury stretch

River level

The lowdown

• The Tutbury section is one of Derby Railway Angling Club’s four River Dove stretches, and the club has held the fishing rights here for a fair old while.
• The river forms the county boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire around Tutbury, with the water sitting near Tutbury and Hatton.
• It’s not all one pace. Expect a mix of pools, riffles and deeper water, especially around a weir. Handy if you fancy changing things up through the day.
• The club lists this as game-river water, with wild trout and grayling the main attraction. A proper bit of river rather than a put-and-take sort of affair.
• The Tutbury section also has brown trout, grayling, chub, barbel and perch reported. So there’s a bit of variety when conditions suit.
• For the game water, you’ll need Trout & Coarse membership. There are no general day tickets advertised, so it’s not a case of turning up, chucking in and hoping for the best.
• Trotting the riffles and glides should be the natural shout for the game side, while the deeper water and slower-looking areas are worth considering for the coarse fish. Keep an eye on the crease where quicker water meets the slack.
• Around the weir, take care with the extra depth and flow. Pools and deeper runs can be worth a patient approach, especially when the river has a bit of colour.
• Night fishing is allowed only with the proper River Dove night permit. Sessions are limited to 24 hours, after which you must leave the peg. Keep the place tidy and leave it bob on for the next angler.

Methods: Trotting the riffles and glides is the obvious game-fishing approach, with a feeder or other sensible coarse setup worth considering in the deeper pools and slower water. Around the weir, fish carefully and pay close attention to the flow.

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, perch

Key rules

• Fish only during the club’s published daily fishing times unless night fishing is specifically allowed.
• Carry your club membership card and Environment Agency rod licence.
• Fish in accordance with Environment Agency by-laws.
• No dogs or guns are allowed on club waters.
• No fires, barbecues, tents or camping between fishing sessions.
• Remove all rubbish and leave the peg and bank clean.
• No unauthorised matches are allowed.
• Specimen-fish anglers must use barbless hooks, an unhooking mat and a suitably sized landing net. Safety rigs are required so broken tackle does not leave the fish carrying the lead.

Where it is