River Bella | River Calder | River Crake | River Derwent
River Bella
This delightful small river drains the limestone country at the southern extremity of the county before emptying into the Kent estuary below Milnthorpe. The Bela is untypical of most cumbrian rivers and in places is almost chalkstream like with smooth glides and beds of ranunculus. Trout grow well in this rich stream and are of a higher average size than normal. In the old days of River Boards the season on the Bela always opened two weeks before anywhere else.
The best fishing is below the confluence of the two main branches namely Stainton Beck and Peasey Beck. A third feeder, Lupton Beck, enters Peasey Beck from the east. All three can provide interesting beck fishing in their lower reaches although ownership and permission is unclear - best to enquire locally.
Milnthorpe Angling Association control the stretch from the road bridge on the B6385 down to Beetham (including the first half mile of Peasey BecK). Day permits are not available.
Below Beetham the river enters Dallam Park and the estate generously makes permits available for youngsters from Milnthorpe to fish this inviting stretch of water.
The Bela also enjoys a run of salmon and sea trout although the weir at Heron Corn Mill is a major barrier. Plans are in place to ease the passage of migratory fish although their impact upon upstream trout stocks may not be beneficial.
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.
River Crake
This short rivers drains Coniston Water and enters the Leven estuary at Greenodd. Being lake fed it is invariably clear even during periods of high flow and holds its level far longer than the neighbouring spate rivers.
The river is not noted for its trout fishing, the main interest being sea trout and salmon. Stocks of both have declined substantially over recent years and salmon numbers are below conservation levels. As a result there is a currently a mandatory catch and release ruling in place for salmon.
Access for casual visitors is virtually non existant with all the river in private or syndicate hands. Penny Parrock Angling Club Ltd have water on this fishery.
River Calder
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.
River Derwent (above Bassenthwaite)
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
