Freestone · Mixed · Peak District / Derbyshire

River Derwent (Derbyshire)

River Derwent (Derbyshire) terrain map
Terrain map

Two rivers in one: the upper Derwent above Baslow is fast gritstone moorland water (small flies, duller colours), becoming limestone freestone from Baslow onwards through Derbyshire.

Species

A side-water session, not the main event

Low and clear — careful approach country. Long leader, small flies, slower casts.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
7°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature4228% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity2612% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
6.5°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
8°C
Wind
SW 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1006 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
6.9 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Olives April through May; Mayfly late May where it shows; sedges through summer; small dark flies into October. Peak District weather changes fast.
Where
Upper Derwent above Bamford is tight pocket water; the middle river through Hathersage and Calver runs through productive trout water.
Method
Upstream dry to risers when olives or sedges are off; North Country spider on the swing in cooler water — Snipe and Purple, Partridge and Orange, Waterhen Bloa. Move upstream slowly, fish each lie properly.
Kit
9 ft #4 — Yorkshire freestone default. Floating line, 9 to 12 ft leader to 4 to 5 lb fluoro. Studded boots for slick stones.
Why this works
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (26).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Grayling seasonSeason
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

Two rivers in one: the upper Derwent above Baslow is fast gritstone moorland water (small flies, duller colours), becoming limestone freestone from Baslow onwards through Derbyshire. The upper reaches offer varied character (riffles, glides, pools); the limestone sections have better hatches. The Wye tributary at Bakewell is arguably better trout water than the main river itself. Good grayling throughout the middle reaches. The transition from gritstone to limestone means adapting your approach as you fish downstream. Club and association water with some day tickets available.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Trout22 March → 30 September
  • Grayling16 June → 14 March
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts