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Experience Fly Fishing – Derbyshire Limestone Streams

Reviewed by Terry Lawton

Derbyshire Limestone Streams is one of the better DVDs that I have seen. It is a very good introduction to the delights of these historic limestone streams and rivers, many of which were fished by the great Izaak Walton and includes a visit to his cottage and a look at the museum there. The anglers featured on the DVD are not expert professionals who never fluff a cast or miss a take, but regular guys so the viewer can appreciate and sympathise when, for example, a cast falls off target.

The rivers that we see fished include the Dove, Wye, Derwent and Lathkill. The Wye is one of the very few rivers in the UK where wild rainbow trout breed. They were introduced into the river in 1910. The DVD covers everything you need to know about fishing these rivers, or indeed, any river. Dr Cyril Bennett shows the viewer how to kick-sample a river and then identify the nymphs and the other items of trout food found. Once you have some idea of what food there is in the river, choosing an artificial pattern is made that little bit easier, particularly if fish are not feeding on floating flies which can be identified easily.

The DVD includes two fly tying sequences, one of which is for a very attractive-looking CDC Mayfly emerger. This is the type of fly that I like and I intend to tie some this winter, in readiness for next season's Mayfly hatches. The second pattern that we see tied is a foam soldier beetle. For this fly the tier used a cauterising tool to make feet on the end of the rubber legs which was a neat touch and could be used, with effect on similar patterns.

Anyone considering a visit to the famous rivers and the surrounding countryside will learn much from buying and watching a copy of this DVD.

Copies of the DVD, which lasts for 65 minutes, can be ordered by telephone, +44 (0)1926-850345, or enquiries@troutflyfishing.net