Wild Trout Trust Grayling Weekend on the Derbyshire Wye at Haddon Hall: report

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October saw a dozen or so Wild Trout Trust members gather by the Derbyshire Wye at Haddon Hall to fish for Grayling on one of England’s premier wild fisheries.
The river was in good fettle after the prolonged summer rains. Running at a good level and pushing hard she was gin clear but with a few leaves on the surface after blustery winds in the week.

We mustered at the Fishermans car park between Bakewell and Haddon Hall. Gareth Pedley, WTT Conservation Officer for the North and a former river keeper on the Wye at Haddon, joined us to offer sage advice and set members off on a good footing.

As usual some rods decided to stay on at Fishermans car park and fish the middle section. Others turned left and headed downstream for Rowsley whilst the rest of us turned right and headed upstream towards the town waters. With close on seven miles of water there was plenty of variety and not much chance of bumping into another rod.

Saturday was cold but bright and whilst Sunday was a little warmer it saw a few light showers during the day. A few fish were seen rising to small olives and stonefly and dry fly tactics did account for some nice fish but the majority were taken on heavy nymphs, fished deep. Some rods reported over 50 fish on both the Saturday and Sunday. The largest fish we saw was just over the pound.Everyone reported that they had a great weekend. 

Many thanks to Warren Slaney and his team at Haddon Hall, who provided the superb fishing in aid of the Wild Trout Trust. Their support is very much appreciated. 

Lisa Isles with a good grayling 

Lisa Isles with Wye grayling