Accessible fishing at Ladybower
Under the management of Geoff Smith since 2010, Ladybower Fisheries has always strived to be accessible to everybody, regardless of background or disability.
Now with Troy Chadwick, our in-house British Disabled Angling Association Operations Manager, together with the dedicated team of qualified staff and volunteers, Ladybower Fisheries has become the number one destination for accessible fishing in the UK.
The BDAA Accessibility Fishing Hub at Ladybower Fisheries is strengthening year after year with site improvements and activities. The accessible boats and pontoon provide coached fishing support for disabled people, their families and friends to socially integrate disabled and non-disabled people within angling.
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When you arrive at Ladybower Fisheries
The main fishery car park is situated next to our fishing tackle shop which has wheelchair access and complementary hot drinks.
Male and female toilet facilities are connected at the side of the shop which also joins onto a wheelchair accessible toilet fitted with an automatic light on entry, alarm pull cord system and touch sensitive hand washing facility and hand dryer. -
Meet the Team
You will be met by one of our qualified fishing instructors and RYA boat handlers for your session. It may be an instructor shown in this picture or one of our associates who will also be qualified to carry out the activity.
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Safety Equipment
All our accessible boats are equipped with general first aid boxes, fire extinguishers, two way radios and additional person overboard safety equipment. Before boarding one of our boats you will be shown how to put on a life jacket safely (a range of sizes are available) which is provided, and then briefed on how to respond in case of an emergency.
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Slipway and Pontoon
Parking can be arranged through the gates of the reservoir onto a hard surface next to the slipway across the road from the fishery shop. There is a slight concrete decline which leads to the accessible pontoon where you will board one of the accessible boats or fish from the pontoon itself.
We also have a mountain trike onsite for people with reduced mobility to use free of charge. The trike is ideal to travel over the rocks to fish from the bank side and can also be wheeled onto any of our accessible boats.
Getting onto our wheelchair accessible boats.
The Discover Ladybower Coulam V17 boat is a large powerful boat with a drop down bow door for easy access to walk on or wheeled. The wooden seats can be adjusted to make room for wheelchairs and is designed to hold up to 8 people depending on the combined weight of wheelchairs and passengers. This boat is used for guided tour trips around Ladybower reservoir at a leisurely pace or with its 90hp engine it can reach speed boat capabilities.
The British Disabled Angling Association (BDAA) wheelchair accessible boats Mary Mo and Codie Mo are perfect boats for fishing. They both have the same style drop down bow doors for easy access. These boats are primarily used for BDAA buddy trips where a fishing coach will accompany anyone with disabilities alongside family members and carers to offer tuition and assistance when needed. Both boats are designed with technology so that they can easily be driven by touch button control so that anyone of any age can have a go at driving them.
The Coulam 16 Ray of Sunshine is a smaller boat ideal for up to 3 people with 2 people fishing at the same time. This boat is designed with an hydraulic lift for wheelchair access and can be driven independently from a wheelchair or with an assistant.
Accessibility Fishing also have a growing range of standard and accessible fishing equipment to use free of charge during any of our accessible events or buddy trip sessions during your day.
At the end of the boat session.
Your guide or a member of staff will accompany you back to the fishery and assist you with removing your life jacket and talk about your experience over a drink in our wheelchair accessible shelter that has removable seats for extra room.
All the staff at Ladybower Fisheries are dedicated to making your boat tour or fishing experience a memorable day out in a beautiful setting in the Peak District National Park, so hopefully we will see you soon.
