River Derwent — Whatstandwell

River level

The lowdown

• This is the official DCAC venue called Derwent - Whatstandwell. Nice and simple, bob on.
• The water sits on the River Derwent in Derbyshire, around the village of Whatstandwell. The setting is the wooded Derwent Valley, so it should feel properly tucked away even with the A6 nearby.
• Whatstandwell Bridge carries the A6 over the river. That’s the obvious local landmark when you’re getting your bearings.
• There’s also a railway station on the Derby–Matlock Derwent Valley line. Handy for identifying the village, though the official details don’t confirm a fishing access point from the station.
• DCAC classifies the venue as a river and lists the fishing type as mixed. It isn’t listed as trout-only water.
• The club also lists South Darley, Allestree and Borrowash among its River Derwent waters. Whatstandwell is one part of that wider DCAC Derwent offering.
• The official pages don’t give the exact upstream or downstream limits. They also don’t state a peg count, so don’t turn up expecting numbered swims or a published stretch map.
• Parking isn’t specifically provided for this venue in the checked details. Best bet is to sort the access guidance after joining rather than winging it and causing a proper faff.
• The facts don’t set out particular swims, depths, flow features, seasonal form or named methods here. So keep the approach flexible and follow the club’s member guidance once access is sorted.
• Night fishing isn’t specifically confirmed for Whatstandwell. DCAC names Lower Derwent, Dr’s Surgery and Darley Dale for night fishing, so don’t assume this stretch is included.

Methods: The checked details confirm a mixed river fishery, but don’t name particular methods or features for this exact stretch. Sort the club guidance first, then tailor the approach to the conditions on the day.

Access & tickets

Join Derbyshire County Angling Club for coarse membership access, or check Catch for day-ticket availability and the current price. The £105 coarse ticket includes the night permit, while the £85 annual coarse ticket is valid for 12 months from purchase.

Fish the club names

The club doesn't list species for this stretch, so we haven't guessed.

Key rules

• A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required in addition to club permission.
• The £85 coarse-access ticket excludes night fishing.
• Night fishing is specifically listed by the club for Lower Derwent, Dr’s Surgery and Darley Dale, not specifically for Whatstandwell.
• Members receive access details and guidance after joining.
• Use only the access permission applicable to this venue: full membership or the club’s coarse-access ticket.

Where it is