How exciting it is for an angler in Derbyshire, which must surely be one of the best, if not the b
est county in England, for trout sport to have the various trout fisheries opening up for another season.
In April those who are fit enough to fish our world-famous trout rivers - alas I no longer am - hope for decent weather and water conditions. It may surprise some anglers but the chances of April sport in fairly fast and shallow runs are often better than in slower and deeper parts of the water.
You will probably be pestered by out-of-season grayling which grab a fly more eagerly now than at any other time of year, unless it be in early October.
My friend and I continue to bag trout of very satisfactory average size during our boat trips to Ladybower and all the regulars have had happy smiles so far this year.
Of the smaller stillwaters I can particularly recommend the trout lake at Donkhill Farm near the Staffs border, which will be open from April 1.
Trout stocked weigh into double figures, and it is expected that the average size per fish will, as last year, be well over the two-pound mark.
A fair walk to the water here but worth it and owner Martin Hodson-Walker tells me that last year nearly all customers had their limit bag.
Not a catch and release water, though. I have become a fan of wide arbour fly reels which give you rapid retrieve and which greatly reduce the coiling effect on your fly line.
Many makers are trying to cash in on the growing popularity of these reels by charging high prices, but I buy makes that cost only around £20 to £30.
At the time of writing that huge American brook trout in the stock pounds at Ladybower has not yet been put into the reservoir but one day soon some lucky angler will probably tangle with this magnificent fish.
John Neville
