Yorkshire fishing

RIVER CALDER

The Calder rises on the Pennine moors gathering in size and pace over 50 miles with the addition of many tributaries as it passes through West Yorkshire until it joins the River Aire at Castleford.

It was, at one time, a byword for pollution passing as it does through one of the industrial heartlands of England. However, today it provides a thriving trout habitat, the now repurposed factory buildings providing as unusual and inspiring backdrop for modern day fly fishing.

CALDER WITH PHILLIPPA HAKE NEW

The magnificent, twenty-three arch Victorian stone viaduct dominates the landscape of Copley, where it crosses the River Calder.

This is Phillippa’s ‘home beat’, a two mile section she knows like the proverbial back of the hand where the predominate species are trout and grayling, often in prolific numbers, with the chance to return double figure days on this, an all catch and release river.

Phillippa is an accomplished fly tyer so rely on her for flies, both dry and nymph, many of which she has specifically tied for the Calder.

This is a relatively undemanding wading section over a stone riverbed where there is plenty of space to experiment with longer rods, French leaders and small nymphs fished under buoyant dry flies which Phillippa will provide.

This beat requires waders so you must bring your own. Otherwise Phillippa will provide all tackle required, including flies. A simple lunch will be provided. The recommended outfit is a 9ft-10ft 5wt.