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The Izaak Walton Hotel is a
picturesque 17th Century country house hotel with fishing rights on the
river Dove.
The Ghillies Board provides updates about the hotel fishery on the river
Dove and is a forum for syndicate members and hotel fishing guests.
For more information or to send in an article for review, please
Email:
|| Latest updates || All headlines ||
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River Dove Fishing in June
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The fishing during June has been very varied. The hatches of Mayfly (Danica) have been spasmodic, although the fish know what they are, and the usual artificials have been working, most success has been to those fishing the evening sessions, this is the usual run of things for the Mayfly. Other flies have been about, a few Iron Blue Dun, Medium Olives, and sedge flies. various imitations have been working, the fish are used to seeing quite a variety of different insects during June, so it is worth trying something that you yourself fancy.
The water levels have dropped quite a lot, but rain is forecast for the start of July. July and August can be quiet months after the Mayfly carnival, but Blue Winged Olives can be seen about late afternoon and evening, and those that fish the Elk Hair Sedges will find some sport with these Sedge imitations.. Take your time in approaching the runs and pools, take time to look for any rising fish before casting, do not pass over the fast runs, as this time of year fish will be in water that only just covers their backs. The fish have seen a lot of angler pressure in the last month so a stealthy approach is often necessary. If you find the fishing quite then think about updating your fishing skills, tuition and guide service is available with our GAIA qualified instructor. enquire at Reception.
Prepared by Fishery Manager Anthony Bridgett.
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28 Jun 2009 by Nikki Bexon and Anthony Bridgett.
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Fishing Up-date for May.
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May is usually one of the best months for trout fishing; as usual it has started quite cold; when the sun is out it is very warm, but the cold wind persists. There are a number of different insect attracting the trout and graylings attention right now, Medium Olives, and black gnat.
A recent insect survey turned up a rich variety of different species, a few Iron Blue Dun, medium Olives of course and lots of sedgs and stoneflies. Mayfly larvae in numbers and I saw my first Mayfly dun (danica) at the end of April. These large flies will soon be on the wing and will be number one treat for the trout, as well as the bird life. It is a Carnival time for all.
The water level is a bit up and down at the moment with some heavy showers putting colour in the water, but otherwise things are looking good and certainly time to get a few days away staying at the hotel, and enjoying the exclusive fishing on offer.
Tuition and guide service is available ask at reception for details. |
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09 Jun 2009 by Nikki Bexon and Anthony Bridgett.
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April Bulletin
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Conditions on the Dovedale section of the river Dove, are improving all the time the weather is warming up and this is having an effect on the insect life. The water levels are good, but the water is still cold, but bright and clear. Scott Roane and his son over from the United States put in a quick visit late March, although starting in rain, the sun came out after lunch, and this was the cue for a hatch of small early olives to start although localised it had the fish moving they both rose fish, but failed to set the hook; Dove trout are pretty quick to react. Never the less they had a great day walking in the footsteps of father Walton.
Looking forward to the next few weeks; Olive Duns, and some Sedges will be providing interest; Iron Blue Dun could put in an appearance, although hatches of this fly have been sparce in recent years, still you never know when they will be back. Cow Dung Fly is also about, and could provide some sport; later on we should have Black Gnat and Hawthorne Fly, although the latter fly was very scarce last season. So a variety of flies to choose from; wet flies to try; Silver Partridge, Partridge and Orange, Partridge and Red. Steely Blue is a good attractor fly. Also keep in mind midge immitations these will be hatching in the broken water very easy to miss they being so small. For dry flies also try a proven local favourite the Cock Winged Dun. Many of the well tried local patterns are included in John Watsons new book: Angling with the Fly, an excellent book.
The fishing on the Hotel waters will be getting much better from now on leading up to the Mayfly hatch in late May early June. So book up a few days away and enjoy the fishing that the hotel has on offer; Guide and Tution service available with our qualified Guide. Contact Reception for further information.
Prepared by Nikki Bexon and Anthony Bridgett Fishery Manager.
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19 Apr 2009 by Nikki Bexon and Anthony Bridgett.
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Waiting for the start of the trout fishing season.
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The Winter seems to have been a long one and we are now just waiting for some warmer weather, this will get the fly life of the river hatching, and should encourage the fish to move out of the deeper water. During the colder months most feeding opportunities are fixed on caddis larvae, although a hatch of fly will bring fish up quickly, mainly midges. The hills each side of the valley in Dovedale keep out the sun in Winter, until it moves back into a higher orbit, this is why fishing between 10am to 4pm is recommended in early spring.
The season for brown trout starts on the 18th March, and it will no doubt be still cold; so flies to think about will be weighted flies that get down to the fish, bead head flies seem to work well, and choose a colour that has some attraction so that the fish can see it. If there is a hatch it will be to early olive duns, caddis and mainly midges; As we move into April things will move ahead quickly and I will recommend flies in our next report. Remember that the Environment Agency Licence needs renewal in March.
The river is in excellent condition, the higher water levels have cleaned out a lot of the older debris and some of this is trapped in back eddies, this helps the fly and baby fish to survive predation better, in particular from Mergansers, of which we seem to be getting more and more. This fish eating bird is now more prominent on all our rivers, an Estuary bird which has found feeding in its natural environment sadly depleted has moved onto our rivers together with Commorant and Goosanders.
We offer a tuition and guide service from the Hotel, contact Reception for advice.
This report is prepared by Nikki Bexon and Anthony Bridgett the Fishery Manager. |
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02 Mar 2009 by Nikki Bexon and Anthony Bridgett.
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December 2008
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The fishing year is coming to an end with high river levels, the rain has continued, with, in the past few days quite a bit of snow. A quick thaw has seen masses of water running in all of the rivers and into the Dove and its tributaries. There have been some days when the river, although high has been clear and suitable to fish, but not many rods have ventured out. If you are thinking of snatching a few hours over the holidays, it will depend on the colour of the water as to what fly to fish. The grayling will be lying deep down, unless there is a hatch of flies to bring them up, so a bead head style fly, or a leaded nymphs is likely to prove best. Pink can be a favourite colour to use. If there is a hatch of fly it is likely to be longed legged gnats, or midges. So fish small flies to match the colour of the natural.
Although we have yet to finalise the results; the average so far for this year has been a fraction over three fish per visit. With twenty three grayling having been reported caught. So all in all with the fickle weather conditions through out the year a good result.
If the frosty conditions continue and we have no more snow; a days fishing the Hotels waters could be a great way to end the season. and the hotel is nice place to spend a short break, at this fast approaching festive time. We wish all our fishing guest a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2009. Our fishing guide Anthony Bridgett is available for tuition if you want to improve your casting skills during these Winter months.
If the weather means that you have to spend time in the arm chair keeping warm, a new fishing on line site has just started at onlinefishing.tv which means that you can stay in touch with news in the world of angling. |
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07 Dec 2008 by Nikki Bexon and Anthony Bridgett.
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