High Coniscliffe Waters – River Tees between High Coniscliffe and Merrybent

River level

The lowdown

• This is Darlington Anglers Club water on the left-hand bank of the River Tees, between High Coniscliffe and Merrybent.
• The stretch is around 1.5 miles long, giving you plenty of water to explore rather than one short, busy bit of river.
• It’s an attractive, varied stretch, not a uniform channel. Expect a mixture of deeper holding pools and gravelly runs.
• The club describes the water as part of its middle-reaches River Tees fishing. The wider club holding covers roughly nine miles of river in total.
• Wading is described as easy here, which makes getting about and covering different swims a bit less of a faff.
• Wild brown trout and grayling are principal species, with chub also present. A lovely mix of game and coarse fish, all on a proper Tees setting.
• This is a spate river, so levels can rise quickly after rain. Keep an eye on conditions before setting off, especially if the forecast is looking lively.
• Access is via the public footpath from the centre of High Coniscliffe, with another route across farmland. Parking is available at High Coniscliffe or at a lay-by west of Merrybent on the A67.
• The club operates 100% catch and release across its River Tees waters. That includes trout, grayling, salmon, sea trout and coarse fish, so every fish goes back.
• The published close seasons matter: trout are closed from 1 October to 21 March, coarse fish from 15 March to 15 June, salmon from 1 November to 31 January, and sea trout from 1 November to 2 April.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: The deep pools and gravelly runs give the stretch plenty of variety, with easy wading helping anglers cover the water. It’s a spate river, so match your plans to the river level and recent rainfall.

Access & tickets

Day and weekly tickets are available from Darlington Anglers Club’s honorary secretary. The official club website also provides a day-ticket booking link for River Tees fishing.

Fish the club names

trout, chub

Key rules

• 100% catch and release applies on the club’s River Tees waters.
• The no-kill policy includes trout, grayling, salmon, sea trout and coarse fish.
• Salmon fishing requires a special permit from the club secretary.
• Trout fishing is closed from 1 October to 21 March.
• Coarse fishing is closed from 15 March to 15 June.
• Salmon fishing is closed from 1 November to 31 January.
• Sea-trout fishing is closed from 1 November to 2 April.
• All anglers fish the club’s waters at their own risk.

Where it is