Foremark Fishery

We don’t have much to update on Foremark trout fly fishing for the 2023 season, we will post something on this page as soon as we do. However, for those of you fancy something a bit different a couple of rarely available spaces have become vacant on the Buxton Fly Fishing Club stretch of the River Wye due to a couple of members retiring. This is small river fishing, mainly requiring wading, for wild rainbows and browns typically with 7’ rods and small flies. If you are interested please text the fishery phone (07706 866631) or email ([email protected]) and we will put you in touch with the treasurer.

The fishery is still closed and no fishing permitted following the National Trust taking over from 18th July 2022. The National Trust has told us that there will be an expressions of interest and bidding process with a view to bank fishing starting in Spring 2023. We will post any further updates on here and Facebook.

Over the next few days we will be closing the webpage until there is clarity over the fishing so all updates will now be updated on this page. The fishery phone (07706 866631) is still active.

We have an update for you that the National Trust has taken over the running of the Foremark site for leisure activities (along with Staunton Harold) from 18th July 2022 and will form part of the Calke Abbey Estate. Please Google ‘Foremark National Trust’ for their official Press Release.

We have asked about the fishing lease and the indications are there will be an expressions of interest and bid process. The National Trust might not start this until autumn with the priority being the visitor operation given the time of year. Also, any lease being on a bank fishing only basis.

We will post updates if we find out more.

Update: no news on the Foremark fishing lease. The latest appears to be mid June. Also, note there is currently no fishing permitted!

There is good news that the Orvis Shop in Bakewell is re-opening 21st May 2022 under the new management of Marie, the previous Manager, and John, a previous Orvis Fishing Associate. Please give them your support so we still have fishing tackle shops to visit, they will be pleased to meet you and share their knowledge.

Foremark Update:

We are currently closed as the current lease has ended with Severn Trent and we wait to see what we can do with the new lease holder. We do not have a definite date for this so watch this page and we will post any details we get. Attached are the pictures of the last three fish caught, a 3lb brown, 7lb rainbow and a 25lb pike which were typical of fish being caught in the last week until the wind turned North East which put them down.

We have taken the boats off the water to check, and for some repainting and repair some glass fibre damage. We do have some electric motors and batteries for sale, 55lb R3 Motorguides between 4 months and 2 years old, all in working order. The most damage on any is some propellor scrapes. Let us know if you want one, buyer collects - these are off site near Ilkeston not at the reservoir. We are also discussing with a potential partner to do things a little differently under a new lease.

So in the mean time thank you to everyone who has supported us and hopefully we see you soon. Also, remember there are other trout fisheries out there who also need your consistent support, as you might realise the landscape for running large trout fisheries has changed with trout, electricity, petrol, staff costs all up this year and not by any small amount.

Thank you,
Michael & Alistair

Fishing 28th December 2021 to 09th January 2022:

We hope you have all had a good New Year with your friends and family and wish you all a Happy New Year.

We opened for 28th December for a days fishing for those wishing to brave the weather which saw an average of 2 with the biggest fish being 3.5lb brown off the Lodge Shore on a black damsel; there seems to be a number of bigger browns around at the moment. Occasional fish are still showing on the surface at various points around the reservoir.

There was no boat fishing in the period covered as the engines are away for maintenance, as soon as these come back we will re-start boat fishing.

There are limited slots available for pike spinning to limit pressure on the fish, so booking is essential. We plan to do some limited pike spinning boat days as well as dead bait days in January or February and dates will be posted here. Places for these are usually limited to four or six anglers per day, let us know if you want to be added to the waiting list as these are allocated to regulars first, and then in order of the waiting list.
We still suggest having a DI7 line set up, as the fish are still deep, along with a floating line for any opportunist rising fish. STILL five free trout flies for first angler catch a blue! Photo or the fish as evidence. We have STILL not seen one for some time. Fishery Staff decision is final.
*** We are only doing occasional days while we undertake maintenance so please call to see if we are on site. We will post any update on here for opening dates. This week fishing until 15:45 (anglers off site by 16:00). £10 C&R for last four hours. Boats subject to availability on the day. Access to the pontoon & boats may be restricted in icy conditions. ***

Please wear face masks in the lodge (new rules since 30/11/2021) and social distance for everyones safety. Also, rules may change in the next week. Hand sanitiser is available in the entrance. We now take contactless payment as well as bank transfers. ***

Fishing 14th December to 22nd December
We hope you have all had a good Christmas and Boxing Day with your friends and family and wish you a Happy New Year.

Limited boat fishing last week and the water temperature now stable in single figures. We have cleared three more bank areas in Flamingo Bay and fish seen rising while we were doing this. More areas are being cleared into Carvers Arm.
The bank average was was 1 with the best brown and best rainbow being around 3lb to black damsels and cormorants, best catch four fish. Fish finders showing the bigger fish still sitting deep this week in most areas. However, as above fish are rising in Flamingo and also around the pontoon but not consistently. Best pike an estimated 18lb, There are limited slots available for pike spinning to limit pressure on the fish, so booking is essential.

We still suggest having a DI7 line set up, as the fish are still deep, along with a floating line for any opportunist rising fish. STILL five free trout flies for first angler catch a blue! Photo or the fish as evidence. We have STILL not seen one for some time. Fishery Staff decision is final.
*** This week fishing until 15:45 (anglers off site by 16:00). £10 C&R for last four hours. Boats subject to availability on the day. Access to the pontoon & boats may be restricted in icy conditions. ***

*** We will be open 29th December 2021 over the Christmas period. 08:00-16:00. There will be a maximum of three boats, these will need booking by the previous day to make sure engines are on site. If you wish to fish another day let us know and if there is enough we will open or if we are already on site for maintenance. ***

*** Please wear face masks in the lodge (new rules since 30/11/2021) and social distance for everyones safety. Hand sanitiser is available in the entrance. We now take contactless payment as well as bank transfers. ***

Fishing 07th December to 11th December

Limited boat fishing this week and the water temperature now stable in single figures. We have cleared three more bank areas in Flamingo Bay and fish seen rising while we were doing this.

The average was was 1.5. The best fish on fly was either of Josh’s two browns, 2.75lb, off the pontoon on a yellow tailed black damsel in some damp and windy conditions but the fish took well up in the water. Best brown goes to Phil & Carl at 11lb!

From fish finders the big fish were sitting deep this week in most areas. However, as above fish are rising in Flamingo and also around the pontoon but no consistently. There are limited slots available for pike spinning to limit pressure on the fish, so booking is essential.

We still suggest having a DI7 line set up, as the fish are still deep, along with a floating line for any opportunist rising fish. STILL five free trout flies for first angler catch a blue! Photo or the fish as evidence. We have STILL not seen one for some time. Only 10 days left to catch one!!! Fishery Staff decision is final.

*** This week fishing until 15:45 (anglers off site by 16:00). £10 C&R for last four hours. Boats subject to availability on the day. ***

*** Access to the pontoon & boats may be restricted in icy conditions. ***

*** We are open until at least the 22nd December 2021 and will probably stay open longer if there is a demand and do a day or two over Christmas. Note the changed days below:
- Open Monday 13th to Friday 17th December,
- Open Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd December. ***

Fishing 01 December to 05th December

A windy week at times that limited boat fishing on some days. The water temperature now in single figures. We have strimmed the bank in front of the lodge and some bits on Verduns point and in Flamingo Bay plus a couple of points around Hut point. Fish seen rising along the wind lane in Flamingo Bay while we were strimming.

The average was was 2.0. The best fish was Michael’s 3lb 8oz brown caught off the pontoon in windy conditions. Best area was pontoon and Lodge Shore and best flies were epoxy minnows and damsels. A spooned fish was however, full of snails and shrimps.

The best pike was 24lb 8oz to Luke, who lost at least three others, with a couple of high teens also reported. Pike also caught along the dam wall. There are limited slots available for pike spinning to limit pressure on the fish, so booking is essential.

We still suggest having a DI7 line set up, as the fish are still deep, along with a floating line for any opportunist rising fish. STILL five free trout flies for first angler catch a blue! Photo or the fish as evidence. We have STILL not seen one for some time. Only 10 days left to catch one!!! Fishery Staff decision is final.

(Big thank you to Luke and James for the pike pictures!)

*** This week fishing until 15:45 (anglers off site by 16:00). £10 C&R for last four hours. Boats subject to availability on the day. ***

*** Access to the pontoon may be restricted in icy conditions. ***

*** We are open until at least the 17th December 2021 and will probably stay open longer if there is a demand and do a day or two over Christmas. Note the changed days.
- Open Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th December.
- Open Monday 13th to Friday 17th December. ***

Due to poor weather we have decided to close the fishery today 🐟

*** Please wear face masks in the lodge (new rules since 30/11/2021) and social distance for everyones safety. Hand sanitiser is available in the entrance. We now take contactless payment as well as bank transfers. ***

Fishing 24th November to 28th November

Another poor week for weather but Thursday saw a number of boat anglers out, most other days were too rough. The water temperature now in single figures. We have strimmed the bank in front of the lodge and some bits on Verduns point and by the time this is posted we should have done some towards Hut point.

The average was was 1.0. The best fish was Stuarts 8lb 8oz caught off the pontoon in hostile conditions. Best area was pontoon and Carvers and best flies were damsels and blobs again.

No notable pike to report this week (although some caught today as we post this). There are limited slots available for pike spinning to limit pressure on the fish, so booking is essential.

We still suggest having a DI7 line set up, as the fish are still deep, along with a floating line for any opportunist rising fish. STILL five free trout flies for first angler catch a blue! Photo or the fish as evidence. We have STILL not seen one for some time. Fishery Staff decision is final.

*** This week fishing until 15:45 (anglers off site by 16:00). £10 C&R for last four hours. Boats subject to availability on the day. ***

*** There are no boats available Wednesday 01st and Thursday 02nd and also all pike tickets are booked on these days too. There is availability for Friday to Sunday. ***

*** We are open until at least the 17th December 2021 and will probably stay open longer if there is a demand and do a day or two over Christmas. Note the changed days.

- Open Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th December.

- Open Monday 13th to Friday 17th December. ***

Lovely 8.5lb Rainbow caught by Stuart today, which was returned safely🐟