Millsertime
Active member
My job recently brought me back to Europe. I was in Germany for a few days and then in England. I brought my FF gear this time in hopes of finally fishing overseas. 2 years ago when I was in England I utilized my free time by visiting the Samuel Smith brewery in Tadcaster not knowing there was a great trout stream in its backyard.
I fished the River Wharfe near Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales. This specific section offers many miles of fishing access although I found it to be somewhat pricey at around $50 for the day but at least guides were not required.
Bolton Abbey is a private estate dating back to the 1100’s and is very popular with day trippers. The river keeper told me that usage shouldn’t be too high on a weekday but the day I was able to fish was a gorgeous blue bird day and there were lots of people out hiking although I didn’t see another fisherman. I found solitude in a section above what is called “The Strid” which is a narrow channel of fast moving water. There were hikers above “The Strid” but the banks were steep enough that I didn’t feel like I had people watching me consistently. This area also provided much more shade for me and the fish.
The River Wharfe is a spate (freestone) river and it was supposedly low at the time I fished but I found it ideal especially for wading. Its water color had a reddish tint almost like a tanic PA brookie stream. There are majority wild browns in this section but the Abbey also does some stocking to satisfy the inept anglers (not my words!).
I landed several browns similar in size to the one pictured below. I caught 1 grayling but it got off right before I netted it. I saw some mayflies but no consistent hatch. There were sporadic risers throughout the later afternoon but nothing consistent. Browns were caught on conehead streamers (wooly bugger variations) and parachute BWO’s (blind casting). I fished spider flies down and across as well but didn’t have any luck with them unfortunately.
I will likely visit here again in 2 years but I think I would try the River Dove or possibly fish further upstream on the Wharfe near Burnsall.
Caption on pictures should be self-explanatory.
Special thanks to “Geebee” for providing useful information/links about Yorkshire FFing.
I fished the River Wharfe near Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales. This specific section offers many miles of fishing access although I found it to be somewhat pricey at around $50 for the day but at least guides were not required.
Bolton Abbey is a private estate dating back to the 1100’s and is very popular with day trippers. The river keeper told me that usage shouldn’t be too high on a weekday but the day I was able to fish was a gorgeous blue bird day and there were lots of people out hiking although I didn’t see another fisherman. I found solitude in a section above what is called “The Strid” which is a narrow channel of fast moving water. There were hikers above “The Strid” but the banks were steep enough that I didn’t feel like I had people watching me consistently. This area also provided much more shade for me and the fish.
The River Wharfe is a spate (freestone) river and it was supposedly low at the time I fished but I found it ideal especially for wading. Its water color had a reddish tint almost like a tanic PA brookie stream. There are majority wild browns in this section but the Abbey also does some stocking to satisfy the inept anglers (not my words!).
I landed several browns similar in size to the one pictured below. I caught 1 grayling but it got off right before I netted it. I saw some mayflies but no consistent hatch. There were sporadic risers throughout the later afternoon but nothing consistent. Browns were caught on conehead streamers (wooly bugger variations) and parachute BWO’s (blind casting). I fished spider flies down and across as well but didn’t have any luck with them unfortunately.
I will likely visit here again in 2 years but I think I would try the River Dove or possibly fish further upstream on the Wharfe near Burnsall.
Caption on pictures should be self-explanatory.
Special thanks to “Geebee” for providing useful information/links about Yorkshire FFing.
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