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Home to the wild
At the Peacock Fly Fishing Club, we are dedicated to advancing sustainability, re-wilding, and the health of ecosystems through our conservation initiatives. Our objective is to restore nature to its original condition, fostering a vibrant aquatic environment that supports fish populations while involving the community in our commitment to safeguarding and improving the environment for future generations. We adhere to a non-stocking policy and have maintained a dry fly rule since 1865 to further our mission of establishing a sanctuary for wild fish.
The Peacock Fly Fishing Club has a dry fly only rule on the rivers of Haddon Estate, which has been in place for over 150 years. The Wye, Lathkill, and Bradford rivers are also known for being ‘Dry Fly Only’ during trout season.
The Scholarship
The Peacock scholarship offers a fantastic chance for young anglers aged 15 to 17 to apply for a fishing experience at the PFFC waters on Haddon Estate. This estate features a wild trout fishery across four rivers, which are thriving with healthy ecosystems and abundant fly life. We believe this presents an excellent opportunity for a few scholars to master their fishing skills in some of the finest rivers in the country. The selected winners will join a wonderful community of local anglers and guides, providing them with valuable insights into river management and conservation.
At the Haddon Estate's riverbank, Jan Hobot, the Head River Keeper, shares insights with Pete Tyjas, the Editor-in-Chief of Fly Culture. They explore the interconnected themes of fishing, conservation, and community, highlighting the essential practices needed to cultivate a thriving ecosystem that champions an anti-stocking policy.
The Fly Culture Podcast
The Story
Discover the intriguing history of dry fly fishing at Haddon Estate, a tale that dates back to its early days. What led to the establishment of Haddon’s strict ‘single dry fly only’ rule? When did this guideline first emerge, and what motivated its creation? The key to these questions lies with a remarkable individual from Derbyshire, who had a passion for fishing the Derbyshire Wye near Bakewell and Rowsley. Join us as we delve into the story of James Ogden.
The Hall & Land
Haddon Hall, the private residence of Lord and Lady Edward Manners, is set in the Peak District in the valley of the River Wye.
With nine hundred years of history, it is one of the oldest houses in the country and moreover one of the only houses in England to have remained in one family’s ownership for its entire existence.
Haddon is unique as it remained empty for nearly two hundred years. This extraordinary period, when time stood still in the Hall, allowed it to remain unaltered during the modernising period of the Georgians and Victorians. So venturing into Haddon is like stepping back in time, since from the 1700s the family preferred to live at their main seat, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.
Visit the member's site for real-time updates and exclusive membership benefits.