One of the favourite fish amongst anglers who fish the River Don is the grayling. Often referred to as the Lady of the Stream, this species which frequents the faster flowing reaches of rivers, is regarded as one of our most colourful fish. In common with virtually all species which once frequented the Don, the grayling population was wiped out by pollution as the Industrial Revolution took hold and probably became extinct in the system by the beginning of the 19th century.
In 1983 some progress had been made in addressing the condition of the river in the reaches, above Penistone. The Salmon & Trout Association had taken the initiative and begun to develop brown trout stocks for their members to fish for. Being reasonably successful they welcomed an approach from the Water Authority who had access to some grayling which were being culled from the West Beck, Nr Driffield and a decision was taken to transfer 200 fish to the River Don at Hazelhead.
Since their re-introduction grayling have steadily spread downstream mirroring progressive improvements being achieved in water quality and today you can catch grayling all the way down stream to the lower limits of Sheffield.
Protecting and improving the prospects for grayling is one of the key objectives of the work being carried out by the Don Catchment Rivers Trust. Installing fish passage facilities on weirs throughout the city will enable, not just grayling, but all species of fish to move with greater freedom to access feeding, spawning and nursery areas leading to greater long term sustainability of the fishery.
Chris Firth MBE, Trustee & Director
