CASTLE FISHERIES - CUMBRIA

In and around Cockermouth, Castle Fisheries offers some exceptional salmon fishing on the fast flowing River Derwent. The Derwent is a beautiful little river, picturesque and very intimate to fish, perhaps, the best salmon river in England; a connoisseur’s river. Bing Crosby used to enjoy fishing here.

Was it for this
That one, the fairest of all rivers, loved
To blend his murmurs with my nurse's song,
And, from his alder shades and rocky falls,
And from his fords and shallows, sent a voice
That flowed along my dreams?
For this, didst thou,
O Derwent! winding among grassy holms
Where I was looking on, a babe in arms,
Make ceaseless music that composed my thoughts
To more than infant softness, giving me
Amid the fretful dwellings of mankind
A foretaste, a dim earnest, of the calm
That Nature breathes among the hills and groves.

William Wordsworth 1771-1850

Day tickets are available, and it is possible to reserve a beat for a week or for the entire season.  Seasonal catch numbers can vary, of course, but the five year average up to 2009 was 1012 salmon caught. There are also sea trout and there is a very good population of wild brown trout - some up to 6 or 7 pounds. Anglers are accompanied by experienced ghillies if required.  The fisheries manager, David Smith (pictured right) is based at Cockermouth Castle.

Following the serious flooding at Cockermouth and Workington late in 2009 much work has been carried out to restore the and repair the river, which is now looking splendid and fishing well.

Buy your Rod Licence on-line

Castle Fisheries – Cockermouth:  David Smith  01900 826320  david.smith@leconfieldestates.co.uk