River Dove – Ellastone

River level

The lowdown

• The fishing sits upstream of Ellastone road bridge, between Ashbourne and Rocester. It’s a proper mixed-looking bit of water, although the named fish are brown trout, grayling and the occasional rainbow trout.
• You’re fishing the Staffordshire bank, with the Dove acting as the county boundary. The opposite bank isn’t included, so keep to the recognised access points and don’t go wandering.
• The lower section has steady glides and deeper pools. That’s the sort of water where a controlled trot or a light presentation can work nicely, especially when there’s a bit of colour in the river.
• Up top, the river speeds up through riffles. Look for the crease, the smoother water just off the main push and any depth where trout and grayling can settle.
• There’s a small brook linking the mill pool to the Dove. Deeper holes and eddies in the brook hold trout and grayling, giving you a few cheeky little swims away from the main flow.
• The mill pool is currently heavily silted and the club says it needs restoration. Treat it as part of the venue, but the livelier sport is likely to be found in the river and brook features.
• The beat is limited to two rods per day, booked in advance. Once booked, only one rod is permitted on the River Dove at Ellastone, so there’s no faffing about with multiple rods.
• This is a members-only venue, not a standard public day-ticket water. Ellastone needs the club’s trout-and-coarse membership category; Associate Coarse membership doesn’t cover it.
• Brown-trout and rainbow-trout fishing runs from 18 March to 7 October inclusive. Coarse-river fishing is stated as 16 June to 14 March, so check which season applies to your intended approach.

Methods: Keep things light and tidy: trot the glides and riffles, fish the deeper pools, and work the brook’s holes and eddies. A small feeder isn’t an option here, as swimfeeders are banned, so stick to recognised non-feeder approaches and the club rules.

Access & tickets

This is Derby Railway Angling Club water and the club does not advertise day tickets for the stretch. Join as an Associate Coarse member for coarse fishing, or take Associate Trout & Coarse membership for all club waters and both game and coarse fishing; memberships run annually from 16 June.

Fish the club names

trout, trout, trout

Key rules

• One rod is permitted on the River Dove at Ellastone.
• Swimfeeders are banned.
• Cereal baits are banned.
• Keepnets and sacks are not allowed.
• All fish must be returned to the water.
• Live baiting is strictly forbidden.
• Fishing is subject to Environment Agency by-laws and club rules.
• Use recognised access points only; trespassing is prohibited. Dogs and guns are not allowed, and fires, barbecues, tents and camping between fishing sessions are prohibited.

Where it is