I have a day on the Peacock water at Rowsely booked for next Monday. I haven't fished the Derwent so thought I'd try that rather than the Wye, especially since 'er indoors will want the car and I understand that the Derwent beat starts from the hotel garden.

Can anybody tell me whether wading is permitted and how long the beat is? I imagine that czech nymphing will be the best bet at this time of year.

Regards

Peter

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Wading is permitted - steep banks so wading is pretty much essential (chest waders).

Hotel beat starts at the bridge and runs down stream for a good way - mile or two I'd guess but more than enough for a day's fishing.

The stretch between the railway bridge and the Wye isn't really Grayling water - very slow. Your best approach is probably to get a lift to the bottom of the hotel stretch (the car Park at Duke's seat) and work your way back upstream to the Wye confluence. The streamier water is very good for Grayling.

Derwent's absolutely stuffed with fish. John Tyzack gives lessons on that stretch of the Derwent - http://www.johntyzack.co.uk/
Keep meaning to book myself a lesson.

I fished that very stretch last Thursday with nary a tug, twitch or pull, and I was Czech nymphing, as well as using the Duo method.

Nice day to be out though. And last year at about this time in similar-ish conditions I had a cracking day with some nice grayling.

In retrospect I felt I should have maybe fished the 500 yds of the Wye which, as I have said before, benefits from Mr. Slaney's minstrations elsewhere and hold some quality fish - especially in the bridge area. And also the pool at Wye foot which definitely holds grayling.

However I got pre-occupied with a couple of well known pools (Nanny Goat crossing and Heartbreak corner), and as I didn't start till 12, it was getting too dark....