Hello all,

Thought I'd report back after my annual trip with cousins a couple of weeks ago.

We went to the Derbyshire area and camped at Barlow Fishery campsite thinking it would be handy for constant fishing with no need for driving to interupt our planned drinking routine! The campsite was OK if a little basic but the owner was great and made us very welcome.

After setting up our tents we walked to the lakes and were very disappointed to see that they were in poor condition with lots of very sick/ill looking fish swimming around strangely. We decided that we weren't going to pay to fish there. As a backup plan and thanks to peoples recommendations on this site I had looked at Press Manor fishery nearby. Took about 15mins in the car (ruining my plan for a beer!) to get there. Were met by Bernie the owner who was fantastic. Made us feel very welcome and gave us loads of advice. We paid £10.50 for an evening C and R ticket and fished from about 16.00 - 21.15which was good value.

Went straight to the Dam Wall thinking deep water and started catching on a home tied Cats Whisker on an intermediate line. Also caught on an olive buzzer. The fish were good fighters and extremely healthy. At about 21.00 the fish were rising well and porpoising so with floating line put on a single shuttlecock buzzer which sat lovely in the ripple. Gave it a couple of tweaks to make a bit of a wake and a fish took it immediately. Brilliant!

Spent the next two full days fishing here from about 11.00 - 20.00 in various weather conditions. Only £12.50 for a full day C and R which is great. Caught every day and set my cousin up some buzzers under a bung as he is a beginner and was struggling to cast with the strong winds. He cast out and slowly fed out line with the wind behind him. He picked up a couple of fish this way on black buzzers so pleased for him. Caught on Cats Whiskers, Black and orange lures, buzzers, diawl bachs but by far the best was the dry fly fishing. Caught on shuttlecock/suspender buzzers and small hoppers in the evening near where the boats are moored. Brilliant fun.

I can recommend this fishery, the fish are in great condition and it is clearly very well run by an owner who genuinely cares about the place and about making sure his customers are happy, so thanks a lot to Bernie. (featured in the latest TF mag as well). We bank fished only but boats are available too. It's a shame about Barlow fishery though, hope it gets sorted but won't go back there. Had a great time though and had some monster hangovers too!

Hope this helps anyone who may be looking to fish this area and thanks again to everyone who gave me advice before we went.

Nick