I am determined to fish this stretch this season but would appreciate an introduction to the stretch. I hear Brund Mill is the best area.

If anyone can show me the ropes one afternoon soon then please send a PM.

Thanks.

Hi,

I've fished this stretch a couple of times, unsuccessfully as it happens.

On the last trip I catapult-cast a size 16 GRHE into a deep hole where I thought there may be a fish (water was very clear). I was totally hidden from view by undergrowth on the bank. The biggest grayling I have ever seen came up like a submarine, took my fly in and blew it out again within a nano-second before slowly sinking back down into the depths. I'm sure it didn't even realise the fly had a hook, just that it felt or tasted wrong.

If I had to estimate the size of this fish I would have said five pounds easy, maybe more. I was very close (within five or six feet), and very shaken!

Don't underestimate the Manifold, and good fishing!

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If it were me (and im not a member) i would try the very bottom stretch working up from swainley tunnel for some seriously challenging wild stuff but it will be very challenging, lots of long riffles with the occasional pools upto the the next bridge over the river, this bit is virtually unfished by either DCAC or Swainsley members, its right hand bank only though but i dont think i have ever seen anyone fishing it. Although i know its one of the prefered beats of one of the swainlsey members.

Then try the stretch from just below ludburn (where lots of restoration has been done) up to longnor which has some nice fish in it.


The one thing i will say is please please please make sure any kit is dry or dissenfected before going into the Manifold just incase there are still some surviving native crayfish in the river, as this was the last population in the upper Dove catchment and we now think it may have been completely wiped out,

Cheers

Dovemink

Hi

The Manifold has not been good for the last couple of years. Not alot of fish showing them selves and the EA have done some kick sample to discover very little life in the river. Some think it run off from farm land land thats killing everything.

Try the Dove instead, I'm sure it'll recover.

Couldn't you just start another thread called
"the travels of Fishcake"
you seemed determined to fish every possible bit of running water in Derbyshire in your continuing quest for the adipose finned ones...I keep expecting to see you emerging from under the bridge in the middle of Ashbourne

(PM me if you fancy a sesh on the AFFC stretch of BB this season as a guest - you have to be good at climbing ladders though..)

You're right !! But not only Derbyshire, see the Welsh Dee thread

Despite being bereft of any offers of free guiding I ventured up the Manifold today. DCAC waters are a bit of a culture shock anyway due to the one fly rule on some waters.

Anyway, had a go on the central section and took one brownie of around 8" on a beaded PTN. Saw a couple of rises. A few sedges coming off.

Then, and quite interestingly, I went up to the upper section and had a go around where the club has been putting in some brushwood bundles (similar to the work LADFFA has done on the Hamps). Searching around with a #18 paradun I got a small brownie which I was well chuffed with. I can only assume that the club had put the bundles in at that point due to lack of fish cover so catching one from there was quite pleasing. I hope the same happens down on the Hamps!

Had a chat with the landowner who was very supportive of the work that the club has done. He said that he had seen a few "theories" come and go on how to improve the river but was happy with what had been achieved so far.

Finished off on the Dove at Wolfcotesdale for an hour or so. In typical fashion I caught a small grayling A few olives hatching but it gets very cold quickly in the shade.

Nice afternoon, cold easterly wind made it a bit more difficult than it would have been otherwise.

Have you seen the article in FF&FT this month - an interview with the 'WTT three' whilst on an visit to the Derby' County section of the Manifold?

Kev

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No I haven't seen that article but I might have to go and buy it tomorrow now

For the benefit of those not within easy reach of a newsagent who are the "WTT three" ?? It's not Paddy the Greek, Sunglasses Ron and Johnny Tightlips is it

The Wild Trout Trust's three: Tim Jacklin, Andy Thomas and Paul Gaskell. There's a photo where Tim is about to get his head splatted by an ACME hammer.

Kev

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