This small spate river drains the high ground between Wasdale and Ennerdale and can be subject to very rapid and often spectacular floods during periods of heavy rain – indeed parts of the river appear flood ravaged on a permanent basis. Below Calder Bridge the river runs through the middle of the giant Sellafield nuclear site before discharging into the Irish Sea a couple of miles north of Seascale. (No, the fish don’t glow in the dark). The lower reaches pass through a band of red sandstone and the river here is characterised by deep pots, gullies and undercut ledges – all perfect hidey holes for fish. Upstream the river splits just above Thornholme and becomes very much smaller although fish are still taken from these higher reaches..

There are a few brown trout in the Calder and most angling attention is focused upon the runs of sea trout and salmon. It is not an easy river to fish and very water dependant but it can hold a very reasonable stock of fish, particularly in the deeper holes, from August onwards.

The bulk of the fishable water is held by Calder Angling Association. Day permits are available from the secretary and membership is open to non residents.