There is a difference between 'The Best River' and the 'One the means the most to me', but you can vote all the same.

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http://141207.blogspot.com/
http://www.haddonestate.co.uk/rivers/rivers.php
http://www.thepeacockatrowsley.com/fishing.html

Thinking about this one before I vote. As you say, Warren there is more than one "Best River".

For me, the best River to fish is your own Derbyshire Wye, either Monsal or the Peacock Water but...........

I was once lucky enough to fish a private, restored beat on the Wiltshire Bourne (might be Hampshire, not sure).

To fish in the footsteps of Harry Plunkett-Green and recognise many of the Landmarks in his superb book was a unique experience I shall never forget.

Nearly impossible to catch fish, never seen water clarity like it and the fish all had rear Gunners who could spot you coming up behind them from 30yds. away!! The banks have been left very overgrown, in parts, which made a long cast impossible.

Thinking on as I can't go fishing today

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Roy

For me it has to be the river wear at Eastgate 10yds from my front door of my static

As much as I love the Derbyshire Wye, I'm going to cast a vote for the upper river Tees. To fish the very top, by Cauldron Snout, you scramble down the side of a 150ft waterfall into a windy, wild, barren landscape. Fishing for truly wild trout, indignant and feisty is a great experience. The trout are not large, a 12 inch fish is a good one. But the scenery, the wildlife, and the quality of the wild trout is stunning. Not an easy place to fish, but effort is rewarded.

That sounds sublime

__________________
http://141207.blogspot.com/
http://www.haddonestate.co.uk/rivers/rivers.php
http://www.thepeacockatrowsley.com/fishing.html

It sure does... you know how much I love the Wye, Warren... but for me, the little river Honddu is peerless. Rugged beauty, mystique and history, and leopard-print wild trout that defy your expectations. I'll never tire of it.

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"A homeward tramp thro' mist wrapped night,
With heart and creel in common light,
Complete content, the day has brought it,
They fished for pleasure - and they caught it"

P F Morgan
taken from the catch record book at Llanthony Hotel, Honddu Valley, Aug 1942

www.monnowlogue.com
www.monnow.org.uk

Something about the upper Don that grabs me.

The Relics of industrial England standing like sentinels over the water they once abused and defiled.
In valleys once putrid and sterile, wild trees and herbs crack through stone, pristine waters flow down again, and satanic mills now weathered at last have congress with the blackened land they once poisoned.
Every hatch of insects ( oh and theres plenty!) seems to be a snub to man's cruel intentions. And every beautiful perfect Trout an insult to our industrial forefathers dreams.They talked of progress and profit and power eternal.
But clogs to clogs....
We should bottle that water, label it Hope, and toast the Luddite cause.
Fishing the upper Don is like wading through pure optimism, and a glimpse of how this land could once again be.

And the chips are better than Bakewell!

What a delightful piece of writing.

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Roy

Thankyou Roy. I enjoyed the chance to think what it is about the place that makes it special to me.
Surprised no one else has added it seems like a really good theme for a thread.