Cromford Fly Fishers Club extended a warm welcome to an enthusiastic group of NHS staff on Saturday 22nd August.
The idea came from club members who knew that a day spent on the river would be a tonic for NHS staff who have worked so hard for many months to combat the Coronavirus disease.
The club donated a pair of waders to each of their guests to take home. Club members happily lent rods, reels and flies for the day, suitably sanitised.
Six staff, ranging from a Senior Consultant at Q.M.C., a Senior NHS Engineer and surgeons, took advantage of the offer and spent the day being individually tutored by experts such as Tony Edwards from Walkers of Trowell and some of the club’s own talented fly fishers. One of the visitors was an experienced fly fisher, the rest were novices who could all cast a fly by the end of the day.They came from as far away as Doncaster, Oakham and Nottingham.
Several visitors caught their first fish on a fly. A paediatric oncologist from Nottingham caught a lovely 3 pound trout that was safely returned.
Cromford Fly Fishers, who own or lease most of the river between Cromford and Holmesford, were delighted that the day went so well. As they know, fly fishing can have a positive impact on mental well-being and physical fitness. Their guests left the river at the end of the day smiling and excited by the experience. We hope some of them will want to come back!