Willington River Wear stretch

River level

The lowdown

• This is proper River Wear game water, with the club describing its fishing as primarily for salmon, trout, sea-trout and grayling. A cracking mix if you like your river fishing wild and mobile.
• The Willington section forms part of roughly 5.5 miles controlled by the club. The water is near Willington and Newfield, so there’s a fair bit of river to explore rather than one short, cramped stretch.
• Around Jubilee Bridge, the river is broad, partly shallow and stony. That sort of water can offer plenty of room for searching likely runs, but the flow and depth will still change with conditions.
• Wading needs respect. The club has warned about soft clay and wading hazards after floods, so don’t charge in when the river is up or coloured. Pick your route carefully and keep an eye on the bottom.
• Salmon fishing at Willington is allowed from 1 February to 22 March, and it is fly fishing only during that period. After 22 March, the club’s normal rules apply.
• Brown trout spinning is prohibited before 1 June. All wild brown trout must go back, while only brown trout with a clipped adipose fin may be retained. Fish under 12 inches must also be returned.
• Grayling must be returned with as little damage as possible. Coloured, unclean and immature fish must be returned unharmed, and kelt retention is prohibited.
• This is not a groundbait-and-feeder sort of place. Groundbaiting, loose feeding, Powerbait and maggot fishing are all prohibited. No coarse fishing is allowed during October, apart from grayling.
• Jubilee Bridge car park is the club’s stated meeting and access point. Use the correct access routes, close gates, and don’t use the road through Low Fields Farm or drive the road from Pagebank to Low Fields Farm.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Fly fishing is the key approach, especially for the club’s game species and the February-to-22-March salmon window. Spinning for brown trout is only allowed from 1 June, with bait and loose-feed approaches ruled out.

Access & tickets

The water is principally membership-based, and the club does not advertise public day tickets in the checked information. Contact Willington & District Angling Club for current membership arrangements.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, catfish, trout, rudd, chub, crucian, eel, zander

Named by Willington & District Angling Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• All members must hold an appropriate Environment Agency licence.
• Salmon fishing from 1 February to 22 March is fly fishing only.
• Kelt retention is prohibited.
• Coloured, unclean and immature fish must be returned unharmed.
• Brown trout spinning is prohibited before 1 June.
• Fish under 12 inches must be returned; all wild brown trout must be returned, and only brown trout with a clipped adipose fin may be retained.
• Grayling must be returned with as little damage as possible.
• Groundbaiting, loose feeding, Powerbait and maggot fishing are prohibited.
• Dogs, fires and firearms are prohibited. Alcohol consumption and antisocial behaviour are also prohibited.
• Use correct access routes and close gates. Do not use the road through Low Fields Farm, or drive the road from Pagebank to Low Fields Farm.
• No fishing for coarse fish, other than grayling, is allowed during October.
• Juniors under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Where it is