End of fly fishing season at Ladybower reservoir in Derbyshire

As the fly fishing season starts coming to a close on many waters and rivers, it's time to reflect on the fish we caught and the ones we didn't!

I have been looking back over my blog from the past year and though I could summarise how things have been for me at Ladybower this year.

The thing I have enjoyed most this year isn't the fishing so much as being in out in the wilderness with just a game bag and a light rod, stalking the banks and climbing through the undergrowth. I have seen so many birds of prey, voles and animals that I would never have seen if I hadn't have been fishing. This for me is one of the big positive aspects of Ladybower. The reservoir is set n the most beautiful surroundings of the Peak District. If you take the opportunity to fish for the wild brown trout on Howden Reservoir then you will feel truly isolated and in touch with the nature around you.


As for the fishing, the season stated off really well with lots of fish of between one and two pounds being landed in the early months. Looking back, the water fished really well up to about July. There is no doubt about this as I have spoken to many other Ladybower anglers about this, from the middle of July onwards Ladybower does start to become harder to fish. Although the fish seem to be bigger, takes become few and far between and blank days become more commonplace.

What causes this I do not know, while other large reservoirs such as Carsington seem to keep going, Ladybower does definitely slow down. Changes in tactics does help such as stalking or fishing small black dry flies. As a season ticket holder this slow down doesn't bother me too much, I am more than happy spending a few hours walking a stretch of bank and taking in the wildlife but if you are thinking of coming as a day ticket holder then March, April, May and June are the best months.

Also moving on to the river or taking a rod at Howden where the wild brown trout are always hungry is a good idea.

I have smoked hundreds of fish this year and have kept friends and family in smoked trout for most of the season. I have to say if you haven't tried a freshly smoked fillet of trout, you really don't know what you are missing!

All in all I have enjoyed the season this year and I have many memorable trips bot on the boat and on the bank. That's it for Ladybower for this year, I will be back next year and I will still be venturing out to a few different waters that stay open during the winter.

Fly fishing poems. Fishing poetry from the Complete Angler

As the season draws to a close around us a fishing poem from the Complete Angler comes to mind:

Man's life is but vain, for 'tis subject to pain

And sorrow, and short as a bubble;

'Tis a hodgepodge of business, and money, and care,

And care, and money, and trouble.

But we'll take no care when the weather proves fair;

Nor will we vex now, though it rain;

We'll banish all sorrow, and sing till to-morrow

And angle, and angle again.