Fly Fisheries

Help Required. To keep this information as up to date as possible we need your help. If you have fished a venue listed or are about to visit, could you please read the review and check to see if the information is still up to date. If not then please let us know how it has changed. If we do not have any pictures of the venue listed on the page we would be grateful for any digital images received.

Thanks – The YF Team.

Venues Covered.

North Yorkshire

Embsay Reservoir, Skipton, North Yorkshire.

As it's name suggest this is a reservoir that covers almost 30 acres and is run jointly by the Skipton Angling Association and also Addingham Angling Association. There is no coarse fishing on this water but you are allowed to use most tactics to catch the resident Rainbows and Brown Trout that run somewhere near 5lb in weight.

Tickets are available from the following places Jackson's Fishing Tackle, Albion Street, Earby, The Petrol Station, Otley Road, Skipton and the paper shop, Main Street Embsay.

Directions - from Skipton take the Harrogate Road towards Embsay, when you come to the Elm Tree Inn in the village of Embsay, you will find the reservoir underneath the Crag after the Steam Railway.

Low Osgoodby Lake, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. 01845 597601

Plenty of countryside here to admire as the fishery is set near to the famous white horse at Kilburn. The water covers 2 acres and is open the whole year around. The water which is stocked with plenty of Rainbows is also suitable for anglers with disabilities. The water will cater for 10 anglers at a time and offers flexibility with day, evening and four hour tickets.

Tickets are to be purchased from the house on the road leading to the farm.

Directions - Leaving Thirsk on the A170 you will see the right turn sign for Kilburn take this road, go through the village of Balk and the water is signposted by the second farm on the Right hand side.

Scaling Dam, Near Whitby, North Yorkshire. 01287 660974

This is a massive water and it can get very exposed at times as it is right on the moorlands. Part of this water is protected as a site of special nature due to resident wildfowl populations. The water is stocked with both Rainbow and Brown trout with both fly and worm fishing allowed. Day tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines by the lodge. Browns can be taken between 22/03/ and 30/09/ and rainbows 22/03/ and 31/10/ with a bag limit of 8 fish not less than 9"

Directions - the water is on the A171 between Whitby and Guisborough - you cannot miss it.

Stonebridge Trout Lakes, Hergill, Little Fencote, Northallerton, North Yorkshire. 01609 748750

This is a very professionally run fishery that has some very large Rainbows and Brown trout in the lakes. Some of the fish stocked here are approaching 30lb. There is a package to suit everyone here and also a catch and release option. The water is open all year around

Directions - located at Hergill, Little Fencote, you need to leave the A1 at Leeming and take the A684 towards North Allerton, turn off this road towards Scruton and go through this village and you see the fishery on the left hand side.

Lake Semerwater, Countersett, Hawes, North Yorkshire, 01969 650436.

This is a mixed fishery with some very god bream present. It is also a watersports water with plenty of traffic. There are although quite a good stock of wild brown trout. Tickets are sold by Low Blean Farm next to the lake.

Directions - The water is situated between Leyburn and Hawes on the A684, when you get to Bainbridge, turn left towards countersett and you cannot miss the water - follow all the water skiers.

Leighton Reservoir, Masham, North Yorkshire 01765 689224.

Again up on the tops this water is massive at over 100 acres and at nearly 100 foot deep in places it may seem well daunting. It is a fly only fishery with a good head of rainbows round the 4lb mark, but it does have fish approaching the 20lb mark There are also a stock of brownies present. Tickets are available from the fishing hut, with plenty of concessions.

Directions - Leaving Ripon on the B6108 towards Masham through West Tanfield, go through Masham and look for the signs for Fearby and Healey Park.

Wykeham Lakes, Sacrborough, North Yorkshire. 01723 863148

Again this is a cracking place for all types of fishing, (see main venues.) The trout Lakes (2) offer Rainbows and brownies with the former running into double figures. Plenty of car parking available with tickets purchased from the Pine lodge.

Directions - Head out of Scarborough on the A170 signposted Pickering. As you approach the town you will see signposts for the waters which is on the left just before you get to the main part.

Pickering Trout Lake, Pickering, North Yorkshire. 01751 474219.

The main part of this water is dedicated to fun fishing which guarantees a fish a chuck, with tackle available for hire. There are also plenty of other facilities and services available on site. The top lake is fly only.

All fish caught must be taken and paid for. There are some very big Rainbows stocked here at almost 20lb (catch that and it will be an expensive trip - even paying at Wholesale prices.

Pickering is the place to find first, then follow the signs for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and fun fishing. You will the railway station first and a short distance later is the entrance to the car park for the fishing.

WhinnyGill Reservoir, Skipton, North Yorkshire.

A mixed fishery with a trout season. Tickets from the following places Jackson's Fishing Tackle, Albion Street, Earby, The Petrol Station, Otley Road, Skipton and the paper shop, Main Street Embsay.

Thornton Steward Reservoir, Bedale, North Yorkshire. 01677 450245.

This water is now run by Felling Fly Fishing Club, (http://wwwfellingflyfishers.co.uk) on lease from Yorkshire Water,for fly fishing with barbless hooks only. Day and evening tickets are available from the post office at Finghall which is open 8 till 6 even on Sundays, but closed from 11.30 am on Wednesdays. The water is open 25/03 to the last Sunday in November each year. Stocked with both Rainbows and Brownies. Four fish limit.

Directions - Take the A6108 from Masham towards Middleham, Turn right at the Jervaulx Abbey, then cross the River Ure at Kilgram Bridge, then take a left to Thornton Steward then a right turn up Arklow Hill to find the water on the left.

Thanks to Charles Allister for the updated information.

Kilnsey Park, Kilnsey near Skipton · North Yorkshire · BD23 5PS Grassington (01756) 752150

This fishery is set in some of the most stunning sceneray that the country has to offer. I remember staying in the pub at the side of the venue many years ago and getting slightly ill on the marvelously kept Theakstons.

As for the fishery itself it is a roughly an acre is size and stocks fish in the high doubles. It is fly only with good rates for 2 fish and catch and return.

Apart from the Fly fishing there is plenty for the family for the to do. Pay a visit to their own website for more details.

http://www.kilnseypark.co.uk/

Thornton Lodge Farm, Easingwold, York YO61 3QA 01347 821306 Mob 07813696735.

Set in beautiful peaceful settings for 2 freshwater (Spring fed) well stocked trout fishing lakes with brown and rainbow, Fisherman's Lodge for ALL fishermen to sign in on arrival instruction available Bed and breakfast

South Yorkshire

Lakeside Fishery, Ranskill, Near Retford, South Yorkshire. 01777 818524

This is the whole nine yards in terms of fishing there is something for everyone her including a well stocked trout lake. The trout lake is open all year and has fish to over 15lb. Suitable for anglers with disabilities.

Directions - from Bawtry you need to take the A638 until you come to some traffic lights in Ranskill, turn left here on go over the railway crossing and the waters are on the right.

Lindholme Lakes Fisheries, Sandtoft, Doncaster, South Yorkshire. 01427 872015.

Another all round complex with 3 lakes in total with the one dedicated to fly fishing exclusively. There are plenty of facilities available on site including tackle hire and tuition.

The trout lake covers 4 acres and has plenty of features to fish to. The water is stocked with both Rainbows and browns.

Directions - Leave the M18 at its junction with the M180 and then leave that at Junction 1 and then take the A18 for 2 miles towards Sandtoft which eventually is a right turn onto Wroot Road and you will find the complex on the right hand side of the road.

Barlow Trout and Coarse Fishery, Barlow, Just outside Sheffield (which is in South Yorkshire). 0114 2890543

Facilities on site include plenty of car parking; a log-cabin snack bar that does some cracking butty's at reasonable prices. There are toilets and also tackle hire available. Fly fishing tuition is available by prior appointment. There are four lakes here plus part of the stream that are available for fly fishing.

Directions - Leave the M1 at junction 29 and head towards Chesterfield. Once at Chesterfield take the B6051 towards Owler Bar, after about 5 miles you will come to Barlow then into common side, look for the Trout Inn and the entrance is on the right just after. Website www.barlowlakes.co.uk

Thrybergh Country Park, Rotherham, South Yorkshire. 01709 850353.

This is a council run water which offers fly fishing only for the Rainbows and Brown Trout that run to %lb. The water is restocked on a regular basis. Tickets are purchased from the vending machines and offer plenty of alternatives including 7 day permits and also concessions. Plenty of parking and toilets including disabled ones.

Directions - It is in the park of the same name and can be found on the A603 Doncaster Road, between Thrybergh and Hooton Roberts.

Lady Bower Reservoir, Bamford, Derbyshire (but Just). 01423 651254.

This water is very popular with tourist due to the sunken village, but the 500 acrres it covers is also very popular with trout anglers targeting the Brown and Rainbow trout. Both species run into double figures. It is strictly fly only and fishing one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Tickets are purchased from the fishery office and the water is open from 01/03 to 31/10.

West Yorkshire.

Billing Dam Fly Fishery, Rawdon, Leeds, West Yorkshire. 0113 504363. or 0113 505951.

This water covers only about 2 acres, but does have a very high stock density. There are both rainbows and also brown trout with the former running into double figures. The water is quite deep with enough places to cater for 15 anglers. The water is quite deep with depths of over 10 feet in most places.

There are half day tickets available and also catch and release when the bag limit is reached. The water is open from March the 1st until New Years Eve. Barbless hooks only.

Directions - From the centre of Leeds take the A65 out towards Rawdon looking for the A658 about 5 miles out of the centre of Leeds. You need then to look for the A658 - near to Horsforth Round a bout with a right turn on to Over Lane follow this road until you see the Emmott Arms then turn the first left and follow the road down and you cannot miss the fishery.

Sunnydale Reservoir, East Morton, Bingley, West Yorkshire.

The Bingley Angling club run this water which is also a coarse fishery and is stocked annually with both browns and rainbows. Strangely enough the water is open from March 25th until February 28th with fishing from 6am till 10 pm.

You must buy a ticket for fishing from a shop called "The Pantry" which is opposite the bus terminus in East Morton. Those on the bank without a ticket will get a shock to the wallet! There is a bag limit of two fish which must be above 12 inches. Only spinning is banned.

Directions - You need the A650 from Bingley heading towards Keighley for about three miles, taking a right at Cross flats into a road called Morton Lane, take the single bridge over the canal, go into the village and locate Green End Road, then go onto Upwood Lane, there is car parking available next to the water which is via an unmade road.

Walton Hall Trout Fishery, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. 01924 242990.

This is quite a big water standing at just over 25 acres, in the grounds of guess where … Yes Walton Hall. The water contains both Rainbows and Brown Trout and is open between March and October. There are some places where bank fishing is possible but the majority take a boat out.

Directions - From Wakefield take the main Barnsley Road out (A61) At Sandal Church turn left onto Walton Lane, go down to the T junction and turn Right, then take the first left under the railway bridge to the next T Junction and the first sign for the estate is there - you cannot miss it then.

Washburn Valley Reservoirs, Swinsty, Fewston, West Yorkshire. 01943880658

There are 2 reservoirs here, both a little over 150 acres in size and both run by Yorkshire water. Tickets for fishing are available from vending machines at the Swinsty Moor Fishing office. The waters are open from March until to the last Sunday in November. The waters are well stocked with Rainbow Trout to 10lb. Fly fishing only and barbless hooks.

Directions - Leave Otley on the B6451 towards Summerbridge, and then take the A59 towards Skipton and find the waters in Blubberhouses.

Raygill Trout & Coarse Fishery, Lothersdale, West Yorkshire. 01535 632500

There are 4 lakes here dedicated to Coarse and fly fishing, split 2 lakes each. The first trout lake is almost 9 acres and very deep and also very clear. The bottom trout lake is smaller at 3 ½ acres and again quite deep in places. Boats are available for hire on the top lake. The lakes are stocked with both Rainbows and Brownies, but the latter msust be returned.Open all year with Barbless hooks only.

Directions - The water is at Lothersdale between Skipton and Keighley. You need the A629 towards Cross Hills, and just before you get to the police station you need to turn Right into Wheatlands Road, go down here for 2 miles until you get to a crossroads, where you need to turn left, go through Lothersdale and when you get to a T junction, bear left and the waters are about a mile and a half further on.

East Yorkshire.

Star Carr Trout / Coarse Fishery, Brandesburton Near Beverley.

Wansford Trout / Coarse Fishery, Wansford, Driffield Road.

Thanks to Graham Picken, Both are Trout Masters Venues.

Add Your Comments about this Fishery:

Complete the form below if you would like to add your comments on this water.

Thanks The YF Team