As the colder weather starts to hit, our indigenous Derbyshire Brown Trout will be starting to pair up and spawn. Trout spawn in the gravel beds of our rivers in areas known as Redds. It’s so important at this time of year that these areas are protected against interference, in fact, it’s actually a criminal offence to knowingly interfere with spawning fish!
The Grayling, which is also resident in many of our local rivers is a Spring spawning fish as are our native Coarse fish, so whilst the Trout’s attention will be on spawning the Grayling will still be busy feeding. Interestingly, the Derbyshire Wye is home to the only major population of wild Rainbow Trout in the Uk. This one population of fish is actually a spring spawning fish. The occasional Salmon that has made a journey up the Derwent will also be thinking of spawning and it’s so important that this is protected and monitored as there are so few that make it into our Derbyshire rivers, although hundreds of years ago, they were plentiful here.
All of our local angling clubs and river keepers will be busy with conservation jobs over the winter and also looking out for any winter issues that may need addressing.