Fishing along the River Dove

"O Sir, doubt not but that Angling is an Art: is it not an Art to deceive a Trout with an artificial Flie? A Trout! That is more sharp sighted than any Hawk .. , and more watchful and more timorous than your high mettled Marlin is bold? …. doubt not therefore, Sir, but that Angling is an Art, and an art worth your learning: the Question is rather, whether you are capable of learning it? ”
Extract from The Compleat Angler, by Izaak Walton, published in 1653. Walton was a frequent visitor to the River Dove and Beresford Dale was one of his favoured angling spots.

The River Dove has thus been celebrated for its trout fishing since the mid 17th century. The praise is well-deserved; fly-fishers today are still finding some of the country's finest wild brown trout in the picturesque River Dove.