The grayling fishing kicked off in style at Bank Top with Steve
Skuce from the Grayling Society netting, amongst others, this 18” specimen on a
peeping caddis.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Bank Top Grayling
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Close Season Information
Beat Information:
Please note the Mill Lane beat is now closed for bank restoration work.
All the other Peak Passport Beats, with the exception of Bank Top (Hartington), which will remain open for grayling fishing, will close on Friday 7th October - the end of the traditional brown trout season.
Thanks to all
anglers who fished the Passport's waters in 2012
Monday, 16 July 2012
Manifold Magic
Manifold Magic by Chris Carver
I‘ve fly fished for trout in the Peak District a number of times before; on the Wye on several occasions and also the Derwent. This time I was staying in the White Peak and after a little online searching found to my delight that some attractive sounding beats on the upper reaches of the Dove and Manifold rivers were available through the Peak Passport Scheme. Staying just a few miles away I could have my pick.
Unfortunately, the English Summer of 2012 was well under way and when I arrived in the area the rivers were bank high, making me doubtful about fishing. However, a quick call to Andy Heath, the Peak Passport Scheme Officer, soon dispelled my pessimism.
Andy lives right in the middle of the Manifold & Dove ( not literally I might add, though I guess his job demands that he has to spend a large amount of time on the water……..now there’s a job to die for!)
“Under these conditions, your best chance is on the Manifold……….try the stretch at Frog Hall,”he suggested.
When questioned about likely fly patterns his advice was equally to the point:
“Although the Mayfly hatch as such has finished, you’ll find the fish are still partial to them."
So good news; I could fish dry, and see the fly as well. No size 22 needed here then!
The next day was almost sunny. I set off around lunchtime and found the beat car park on a farm in unspoilt rolling countryside. As I started to get changed, the rain started to come in, steady drizzle but mercifully no wind……..conditions that they call ‘soft’ in Ireland.
So down to the river with a White Wulff (my go-to Mayfly pattern) attached to the leader and off I started. Two hours later and not a rise to be seen and not an offer to my fly.
As the Peak Passport website says:
“This beat has everything from open countryside to wooded glides, sweeping bends and shallow brooks.”
Some parts of the beat are more accessible than others, although with a 7’6” rod and a little determination you can cast a fly into most stretches. Until now I had been fishing the most likely looking dry fly stretches: long glides, heads and tails of pools, you know the drill.
As I paused to reflect on the nature of things, my fly had drifted into a less likely looking spot and was promptly taken by a half-pond wild brownie. Then the penny dropped………. I should be fishing this river as if I was worming it. From then on the White Wulff did the trick. Seven more fish including two of a pound or more and then it was time for the last few casts of the day.
One particular spot had looked very fishy, but demanded that special cast to get low under some branches that you either make or leave a fly up in the trees. This time the cast was true and my fly was gently sipped down. I lifted the rod and was immediately attached to a good-sized fish that insisted on dancing all over the river. Eventually I got the fish in ready to land when, with one last flourish, it was away. My fly was still attached to the leader but the size 10 hook was nearly straightened out. Nearly 2lbs I reckon that fish was.
Back to the Passport:
“There is a chance of some large trout in this section of the Manifold so don't fish too light”
Well I was fishing a 4lb point which certainly held OK………but I must admit I‘ve not seen a size 10 hook bent like that before.
I will definitely be back.
Chris Carver.
Late June 2012
---------
Thanks Chris, Glad you enjoyed it!
PP Team
I‘ve fly fished for trout in the Peak District a number of times before; on the Wye on several occasions and also the Derwent. This time I was staying in the White Peak and after a little online searching found to my delight that some attractive sounding beats on the upper reaches of the Dove and Manifold rivers were available through the Peak Passport Scheme. Staying just a few miles away I could have my pick.
Unfortunately, the English Summer of 2012 was well under way and when I arrived in the area the rivers were bank high, making me doubtful about fishing. However, a quick call to Andy Heath, the Peak Passport Scheme Officer, soon dispelled my pessimism.
Andy lives right in the middle of the Manifold & Dove ( not literally I might add, though I guess his job demands that he has to spend a large amount of time on the water……..now there’s a job to die for!)
“Under these conditions, your best chance is on the Manifold……….try the stretch at Frog Hall,”he suggested.
When questioned about likely fly patterns his advice was equally to the point:
“Although the Mayfly hatch as such has finished, you’ll find the fish are still partial to them."
So good news; I could fish dry, and see the fly as well. No size 22 needed here then!
The next day was almost sunny. I set off around lunchtime and found the beat car park on a farm in unspoilt rolling countryside. As I started to get changed, the rain started to come in, steady drizzle but mercifully no wind……..conditions that they call ‘soft’ in Ireland.
So down to the river with a White Wulff (my go-to Mayfly pattern) attached to the leader and off I started. Two hours later and not a rise to be seen and not an offer to my fly.
As the Peak Passport website says:
“This beat has everything from open countryside to wooded glides, sweeping bends and shallow brooks.”
Some parts of the beat are more accessible than others, although with a 7’6” rod and a little determination you can cast a fly into most stretches. Until now I had been fishing the most likely looking dry fly stretches: long glides, heads and tails of pools, you know the drill.
As I paused to reflect on the nature of things, my fly had drifted into a less likely looking spot and was promptly taken by a half-pond wild brownie. Then the penny dropped………. I should be fishing this river as if I was worming it. From then on the White Wulff did the trick. Seven more fish including two of a pound or more and then it was time for the last few casts of the day.
One particular spot had looked very fishy, but demanded that special cast to get low under some branches that you either make or leave a fly up in the trees. This time the cast was true and my fly was gently sipped down. I lifted the rod and was immediately attached to a good-sized fish that insisted on dancing all over the river. Eventually I got the fish in ready to land when, with one last flourish, it was away. My fly was still attached to the leader but the size 10 hook was nearly straightened out. Nearly 2lbs I reckon that fish was.
Back to the Passport:
“There is a chance of some large trout in this section of the Manifold so don't fish too light”
Well I was fishing a 4lb point which certainly held OK………but I must admit I‘ve not seen a size 10 hook bent like that before.
I will definitely be back.
Chris Carver.
Late June 2012
---------
Thanks Chris, Glad you enjoyed it!
PP Team
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Windy Arbour Bridge. River Manifold
Please be aware that although this beat is still fishable access to the normal car parking areas may be unavailable due to Severn Trent improvement works. For those prepared to walk a short way parking is available in Longnor. We will inform anglers when the situation changes.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Peak Passport Beats Open - Saturday 14th April
Saturday 14th April sees the commencement of the 2012 Peak Passport Season.
Andy, Pete and Al have been busy, working hard, preparing the beats for the forthcoming season and Ian has been busy fiddling with the website!
One of the major and exciting changes this year has been the extension of the Frog Hall (River Manifold) beat. This has now allowed us to merge the Frog Hall and Rewlach beats allowing the angler to fish over 1750 meters of the Manifold and Blake Brook. Access is via the Frog Hall route (check the data sheet for directions).
Please check the blog for further updates and keep the PP team informed of any catches or experiences on our rivers.
Please respect, protect and enjoy the countryside.
Andy, Pete, Al and Ian
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Bank Top improvements
Pete and Al, the new volunteer beat keepers for the Peak Passport scheme, have been beavering away again today on the Bank Top beat of the Dove, getting it ready for the new season which for us, is the 14th April, giving the Grayling time to do their thing.
A few dead and diseased Alders have come out today which shaded and hung over a riffle and pool. Not only will it improve the cast into the pool, it will allow more light onto the riffle where some Ranunculus has established, which is really encouraging. The re-emergence of the Ranunculus at Bank Top is a positive indicator of a healthier river, something that we are really pleased with!
We have been really careful with the chainsaw work over the river, and we have only used Bio Oil to minimise any potential impact.
We have watched trout rise to wood chippings today, but this is not sending us rushing to the fly tying bench to design a 'Wood Chip Fly'
Another stile has gone in today to improve access and there are a further two planned to be installed next week.
All in all, the Bank Top beat is going to be looking good by the 14th April and we can't wait to to check out the beautiful markings on our Dove wild brownies again!
A few dead and diseased Alders have come out today which shaded and hung over a riffle and pool. Not only will it improve the cast into the pool, it will allow more light onto the riffle where some Ranunculus has established, which is really encouraging. The re-emergence of the Ranunculus at Bank Top is a positive indicator of a healthier river, something that we are really pleased with!
We have been really careful with the chainsaw work over the river, and we have only used Bio Oil to minimise any potential impact.
We have watched trout rise to wood chippings today, but this is not sending us rushing to the fly tying bench to design a 'Wood Chip Fly'Another stile has gone in today to improve access and there are a further two planned to be installed next week.
All in all, the Bank Top beat is going to be looking good by the 14th April and we can't wait to to check out the beautiful markings on our Dove wild brownies again!
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Season Dates
As from Thursday 15th March all beats are closed until Saturday 14th April. (Bank Top is the only beat currently open for Grayling fishing until the 15th).
This will give our resident grayling a chance to spawn and allow maintenance work for the 2012 trout season.Keep checking this blog, more PP details will be announced soon.
Saturday, 10 March 2012
New Beat Keepers
We are pleased to announce the appointments of Beat Keepers Pete March and Al Wilson.
As the following pictures show the pair have already made significant improvements to the access and maintenance of the fishing beats, concentrating initially on the Dove at Bank Top.
Together with Andy Heath, (Peak Passports Project Manager), Ian Gould (Admin), the Trent Rivers Trust and local Peak District farmers and landholders the pair join a dedicated group whose common aim is improving the ecological health of the region’s rivers.
Pete and Al are both keen fly fisherman and are eagerly awaiting the 14th April; when the passport beats open for 2012 season.
Watch out for Head Keeper Pete’s posts on this blog.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Derbyshire Life
Andy Heath, Peak Passports Project Manager, featured in February's Derbyshire Life. The article, written by Andrew Griffiths, features Andy in 'chainsaw wielding mode' and explains the PP's commitment to improving the ecological health of the region’s rivers.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Beat Keepers Required
The Peak Passport Scheme is looking for a team of half a dozen Beat Keepers to help look after and manage the passport beats. In return for free fishing, we need a small team to patrol the beats keeping an eye out for jobs that need doing, sensitively manage the trees and other vegetation, and help maintain facilities such as gates and signs. Developing good relations with the beat owners will also be an important part of the job.
This is a chance to have an involvement with the work of the Rivers Trust and learn more about fisheries management and fresh water conservation.
For any queries, contact:
Andrew Heath
Peak Passport Scheme Officer
andy@trentriverstrust.org.uk
Tel: 07896 344448
This is a chance to have an involvement with the work of the Rivers Trust and learn more about fisheries management and fresh water conservation.
For any queries, contact:
Andrew Heath
Peak Passport Scheme Officer
andy@trentriverstrust.org.uk
Tel: 07896 344448
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