Upper Dove — Ludwell to Crowdecote

River level

The lowdown

• About 3 miles of fishing are available, and it’s double-bank throughout. That gives you plenty of water to explore without feeling hemmed in.
• This is the upper Dove before it becomes the bigger river downstream. Expect a much smaller, more intimate stream with a lovely isolated feel in the Peak District.
• The river mixes riffles, pools and narrow sections. Keep an eye on the glides and the crease where quicker water meets the softer stuff.
• The association describes the beat as lightly pressured and secluded. Bob on if you fancy getting away from busy banks and noisy swims.
• It’s stalking water rather than a chuck-it-and-hope venue. Stealth and patience are the order of the day, especially in the clearer, shallower bits.
• You may need to crawl along the bank when tracking fish. Proper low-profile stuff — move slowly, keep your shadow off the water and take your time.
• The stretch holds sizeable brown trout. The association’s largest recent brown trout reported from the water was 4 lb, so don’t go ridiculously fine.
• A 7- to 8-foot rod with a 3- to 4-weight fly line is recommended. Fine tippet makes sense, but it shouldn’t be excessively fine with better fish present.
• The beat sits between Ludwell and Crowdecote, close to Pilsbury too. The nearest prominent access settlement is Crowdecote, with directions provided to members.
• It’s fly-fishing water and association membership is required. There are no day tickets, so this isn’t a cheeky last-minute ticket-and-go sort of place.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Stalking with a short fly rod is the main game. Keep mobile, fish the riffles and pools carefully, and use fine but sensible tippet for wary brown trout.

Access & tickets

LADFFA membership is limited and normally has a waiting list, stated as three years in 2026. Members can arrange guest tickets: £20 for one angler or £30 for two, with a maximum of one guest ticket per day and six per season.

Fish the club names

trout

Key rules

• Fly-fishing water.
• Association membership is required.
• No day tickets are issued.
• Stealth and patience are recommended when stalking fish.
• A 7- to 8-foot rod is recommended.
• A 3- to 4-weight fly line is recommended.
• Fine tippet is advised, but not excessively fine because larger fish are present.
• An Environment Agency rod licence is required in addition to fishery permission.

Where it is