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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
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Prospects for July.
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The month of June was an exceptional month on the river Dove's hotels beats. Plenty of fish and plenty of flies to keep the fish interested. Of course top of the agenda for the fishermen, also the fish was the Mayfly Danica; the mayfly was a little late in putting in an appearance, but we did know from surveys that there were plenty of nymphs just waiting on the right moment to hatch. And so it was, a slow but steady build up, the usual fest day of the 9th June, was bang on with plenty of fly hatching in the evenings; now then, the secret was catching the said fish; they were spooky and plenty of artificials failed to live up to expectation. Anglers on the upper Dove and Mayfield, Birdsgrove reported that the fish wanted the flies sub surface. So some challenges there. Last week there were still significant hatches of mayfly coming off, and some fish still taken the natural, but they are now very wary.
Other flies that were about were plenty of Olive Duns and spinners, and a good amount of blue winged olives settled on my car roof two weeks ago. Also plenty of sedges of different sorts, and sedge imitations were taking fish. However the river level has continued to drop, and the clear water that we now have has made the trout wary, as always I recommend going small midge imitations in 18s and 20s. and finer points to the cast.
Several regular rods have been out and have had some success; Colin Brown for his week fished a variety of Derbyshire and Staffordshire rivers, and managed to have some success, but he also found the fish wary of the Mayfly imitations, and Colin ties some awesome patterns. But as usual it was the angler that fishes the harder to get to spots that caught the most.
The weather ahead looks to be continuing dry, so it will mean fishing either early or late to make a catch, but for most of us just to be by the river is enough of a pleasure. July and August tend to be dour months, but the fish have to feed and success will come to those fishers prepared to experiment, look for fish in shallow and faster sections.
I am having complaints about the trees that have been felled into the Dove, Dovedale, spoiling the aesthetic look of the famous beauty spot, but I am informed that it has been done in the interest of science, but what ever, it does not look pretty.
Anyway what ever the conditions enjoy your fishing and tight lines.
Prepared by Scott Cawley and Anthony Bridgett Fishery Manager. |
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29 Jun 2010
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Update of prospects for June 2010
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The weather in May moved from a very hot spell early on, into colder days towards the end of the month. This had an effect upon the fly life, however, we had some good hatches of Olive Duns, changing into spinners later in the day; plenty of mixed sedges were present, as was the midges. Black Gnat and Hawthorne fly helped supplement the fishes diet; so there was plenty of choice to imitate for the angler, it was mainly dry fly that was scoring best.
Whilst May is recognised as the best month for the fly fisherman, June brings on the Mayfly Ephemera Danica, the hatches so far have been very sparse, so I see some heavy hatches to come over the next few days. On many Derbyshire rivers, the 9th June is reckoned to be the most reliable time. The imitations of this spectacular fly are numerous, and almost any large fly with some yellow in it will usually work; I can recommend Royal Wulfe, Gray Wulfe, Shadow Mayfly,and the Butcher Mayfly.
However if the fish are fished for frequently they look for some movement to the fly, and also at this time some anglers I know catch well on the Iron Blue Dun. If you are using the larger Mayfly patterns then remember to increase the size of your leader, as there is always a chance of a bigger fish. As the Mayfly starts to fade then it will be back to Olive, Midge and Sedge patterns. Griffiths Gnat scores well for the Midge, and the Elk Hair Sedge will also catch a few fish, and there are plenty of imitations of the Olive Dun.
Towards the end of the month and into July the fishing will become harder, you will need to be out early and late to have the best of the fishing; Charles Cotton from Beresford, many years ago coined the phrase 'Fish Fine and Far Off ' and this is a good maxim to follow even after three hundred years. You will also need to be looking at spinner patterns of the up winged flies, usually, rust, red or brown colour in the body, hackle should be parachute style to lie flat on the water surface.
If you want to have some good sport now is the time to book in for a few days. The hotel still has some vacancies and a good time for the learner to try the Duffers Fortnight, and if you want tuition or a guide our Fishery Manager Anthony Bridgett can help out he is a fully qualified Game Fishing Instructor. and for the non-fishing partner there is plenty to do and see, the hotel being at the heart of the Peak Park. So see you soon.
Prepared by Scott Cawley and Anthony Bridgett. |
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01 Jun 2010
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May 2010 Fishery update
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Following on from a fine and sunny April, as we moved into May there was some showers that freshened up the river, although the river stayed high through last month, with lots of water locked up in the hillsides and springs. I mentioned that the high Winter river levels may break up some of river bed and this has happened. The prediction of increased insect life seems to be on the cards as well, helping with a recent survey of insects. There are plenty of Olive nymphs about, and one Iron Blue Dun nymph was counted, and thankfully lots of Mayfly nymphs.
The hard frosts during the Winter has had its effect on the weed, but this is now growing back with the warmer weather. So all in all the river is looking at its best right now, and at last the leaves are opening on the trees.
May, for the fly fisherman, brings the cream of the seasons sport. There are already hatches of black gnat, and I suspect that the Hawthorn Fly, which is very popular with the fish will soon be putting in an appearance.
We should see lots of fly now on the water, and for the fisherman it will be copying what the fish are feeding on, or trying a few patterns that have proved there worth in the past. Olive imitations should be thought about, Greenwells Glory is a useful stand by, but most have their favourite copy of this important fly.
Soft hackle wet flies fished near the surface will get a response I am sure, and if it gets cold then try a small bead head fly. Derby Red Eyed beetle was favoured by many some years ago, but still worth a try today. But of all the flies that are welcomed the Mayfly; Ephemera Danica will we hope provide a feast from the middle of the month until mid June. Of all the copies of this fly, and there must be several hundred, The Butcher and the Shadow will be top of the score list I suspect.
Try your best to have a few hours on the river in the next few weeks, even if your Diary is looking busy. A visit and stay at the Izaak Walton Hotel will not be wasted, and there have been a lot of fish showing on the three beats that we control. If you have not fly fished before and want to take up the sport then our ghillie and tutor is available to start you off in the right direction. Contact Reception for further information - and Tight Lines!
Prepared by Scott Cawley and Anthony Bridgett Fishery Manager |
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08 May 2010
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Outlook for April 2010
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Easter used to be a traditional time to start trout fishing, here in Derbyshire/Staffordshire borders; of course that depends on how early Easter is/or late as the case may be; Although our season started on the 18th March, most local streams do not open until 1st April. Talking to local fly fishermen, they are all anxious to start after the long winter. Prospects for the Easter week end went quickly down hill, with some heavy snow falls and plenty of rain, this brought much colour to the Dove, but it did bring some rods out, if not many fish. It is just nice to be on the river bank again. In Dovedale we tend to be about three weeks behind the south of England, in growth of leaves on the trees; this means that early woodland flowers get a chance to shine; and the sight of a yellow Brimstone butterfly will announce that spring is really here. So even if you are not catching fish there can be much of interest to your day.
Artificial Flies to be thinking about will be varied, experimentation being the order of the day. 40 or so years ago the choice would have been fairly simple, but today our rivers are not the same, we do have problems not yet addressed. The common flies like the three species of Olive Dun have been in decline for a long while now, the same can be said of the Large Spring Olive and most of all the Iron Blue Dun. Hatches of these flies still occur, but in smaller numbers, so artificials always worth a try. For dry flies the dependable Elk Hair Sedge in various sizes and body colours will score. Middle of the month we will hope to see the Black Gnat, and the Hawthorne fly appear. Cow Dung Fly can still bring up a fish or two, and the favourite Cock Winged Dun; Moss's and Fosters colours work when fish are working Olive Duns. Wet Fly, bead head flies will work in deeper slower sections, and soft hackle flies in the streamier sections. Midge imitations like the Griffith's Gnat in size 18 to 20s will also catch when fish are taking small gnats. Keep your eyes open and experiment. John Watsons recent book: "Angling with the Fly" contains a wealth of information.
The Hotel waters are looking good at present; however there are some trees that have been felled into the river on beat two, so our risk assesments include being careful when wading, underwater branches may trip you, in particular if there is colour to the water. Do not enter the river where you cannot see what you are walking into. As always take care. The prospects will be much better towards the end of the month, going into May which is arguably the best month of the year. Still time to book a Fishing Package which is great value and experience the warm welcome awaiting you at the famous fishing hotel.
Our Fishery Manager can provide help and equipment, also as a qualified game angling instructor he can iron out any faults that you may have with your casting, starting you off if you are a new comer, also can act as guide on your days fishing, if required. So do not delay ring Reception for further information
Prepared by Anthony Bridgett and Scott Cawley. |
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05 Apr 2010
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Update to the Ghillies Board for March 2010
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We have continued into March with some very cold weather, with frost in the morning; although the sun is getting warmer, the angle of the sun means that it does not get fully into Dovedale in this season, so still very cold; however the warm sunny days that we have been treated to have seen a few flies hatching, mainly midges. We have had a good winter, with a lot of water going down the river; it will be interesting to see if we have increased numbers of Ephemera Mayflies. Numbers of Olives, Iron Blue Dun etc have decreased in recent years, and this may be due to build up of algae layers on the river bed, the clean out of the river could make a difference, although there are other factors at play. We shall have to see.
The brown trout fishing starts in season on the 18th March, but it is always a bit early, and a lot of the fish will not have moved from their winter quarters into the faster runs just yet,. they will be anxious to feed and will be looking for opportunities, this will be mainly early sedge and caddis flies, but mainly midges to start with, so good advice is keep a look out for hatches of fly, otherwise searching with wet flies will be the option; In deeper sections bead head will be a good choice, in the faster shallows soft hackle flies will work best; Partridge and Orange, Silver Partridge, Grouse and Claret and combinations of these flies will bring success. Please return any fish quickly and gently to the river, and remember that the Grayling is now out of season.
A timely reminder is that the Environment Agency Fishing licence need renewing at this time, it can be obtained on line, or at your local Post Office.
Fishing on the Hotel waters will not get really going until April, The Hotel is a great place to make your headquarters, as the fishing on our three beats is only a few minuets walk from reception. It is also good to know that the bar, restaurant and log fires are so close, the ambience and fine cuisine will ensure you have an enjoyable, and relaxing stay. Our Fishery Manager can give you advice on what you will need, and as a qualified Game Fishing Instructor can act as your guide, or teach you if you are a new comer to fly fishing. The one essential will be warm outdoor clothing whatever you are doing.
Prepared by Anthony Bridgett and Scott Cawley |
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22 Mar 2010
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