Get in there mate

I know you've had a tough time lately, but I think we all go through that at times.

It sorts the men from the boys and the anglers from the golfers

Ha ha, I was never reeeeally going to take up golf, I don't mind the odd game of snooker but pool is better*.

Sorry I didn't answer Baz earlier, it certainly is a lovely river and so varied as it runs through Derby. It's been mucked about with so much with the sewage works and weirs and so forth that you have almost every conceivable type of swim all within a 3 or 4 mile stretch. Usually pretty deserted too apart from the Earl of Harrington matches and they always seem to be held one one stretch leaving plenty more to go at.

I've had roach, chub, barbel, grayling, perch, pike and something I couldn't identify, all running to good sizes and always in mint condition. No record breakers but that's not what it's about for me.

I've heard of tench in the slower sections and trout running up stream though I've never fished for or seen them.

* For 'better' read 'much, much easier'.

Congratulations Paul, that's a fine way to see out the season and will keep you "ticking over" until June 16th comes round again.

Cocky bugger taking a snap while playing the fish tho!!

I shan't be taking those kinds of liberties at Clattercote that's for sure.

I need to have something to weigh this year.

Well done Pikey.

Hi Pikey,

Only just picked up your thread matey...

Cracking fishing that man! Golf, my RRRRRRRs!

As Steve says, we all go through tough blanking times and you came out of a bad run with a superb catch, well done!

(I've just changed my phone Paul and have lost all of my numbers, gimme a bell. Cu soon)

nice one Paul, lovely fish mate,  derwent barbel go like stink  dont they? do you fish the river higher up than Derby mate?

fish it quite a bit myself had some cracking barbel chub and perch right the way up to matlock.loads of untapped potential for coarse fishing,quite easy  not to see another angler from one session to the next...........bliss 

Cheers, Dicky, of course I knew I'd catch again... eventually, it's just the waiting that gets frustrating.

Hi Jonathan, I've never fished the river north of Derby city centre, well no further than Darley Abbey anyhow. I've been looking at the Matlock area for a bit of trout fishing now the coarse seasons closed but I have heard that the barbel run that way too.

Which clubs control the stretches up that way? It'd be good to know in case I want to give it try sometime.

derby railways have a nice strech above matlock....pucker nymphing.......need waders though very steap banks. matlock ac have some very chubby water,also stocked barbel in a few places a few years back and no one realy bothers with em.

also whatstandwell for chub and odd barbel to a good size day ticket at pub.

Belper worth a look barbel, chub pike and some clonking great big perch day tickrt from tackle shop or yearbook from same shop on high street.

hope that helps pal, my derwent p.b of 8lbs camre from upper river if you need to know more p.m me anytime mate only to glad to help.

 upper derwent barbel swim

containing a lovely looking hidey hole

containing a lovely looking barbel

 Paul, just heard on the grapevine that Matlock ac have  restocked one of there stretches in the town ,barbel,chub,dace and roach.

 could be worth a look  mate..

Wow, that's a lot more picturesque than the swims I've been fishing further down-stream .

I'm planning a day trip up Matlock way to have a look about soon, whet my appetite.