The Derwent has the distinction of starting its life from Styhead Tarn – officially the wettest place in England with well over three metres of rain a a year. The river then runs through the lovely Borrowdale valley before emptying into Derwent Water at Grange in Borrowdale.

Upstream of the lake the river is delightful; crystal clear, and alternating between clean gravelly runs and deep blue pools. There are plenty of smallish trout and parr in the upper reaches, and larger lake trout do move in and out following spates, but on the whole there is little fishing activity and the river here is probably best regarded as a nursery area.

By the time it leaves Derwent Water however the river has matured and with the addition of the Greta just below Keswick becomes a much more substantial proposition.

Keswick Angling Association control much of the fishing between the two lakes. Some good brown trout can be found in this stretch but it can also produce a fair number of salmon from August onwards given the water.

Day, week and season permits are available