Fly fishing on the River Derwent in Derbyshire just below Ladybower reservoir.

I was lucky enough to have a days holiday today so I decided to take a rod on the stretch of the River Derwent just below Ladybower Reservoir.

Once I got down to the river there was lots of fly life on the water but not much breaking the surface. I decided to fish a hares ear gold head under an indicator at about 2 feet depth.

After wading out a few meters I cast in and got in to a fish straight away - A rainbow of about 1 and a half pounds. I couldn't believe my luck - I was expecting the water to be very difficult to fish and was hoping to get a wild brownie or two but nothing bigger!

I waded up the river some more. I was amazed at the amount of frogs that are behind the rocks and amongst the weed.

I found what looked like a likely looking pool and saw a couple of fish rising. I switched to a klinkhammer and landed 2 small rainbows weighing a few ounces each. Only small but cracking fighters on 2 pound line with the swirling currents.

I switched back to hares ear and had a further 3 rainbows a couple of which were keepers.

No wild brownies but in such a stunning location on a beautiful day I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I decided to have an hour on the reservoir in the afternoon and I took another rainbow of about one and a half pounds round near grainfoot on a black buzzer.