Cross Gills Beat
Cross Gills is a cracking three-quarter-mile beat on the right bank of the Big Ribble near Hurst Green. It’s a proper mixed bit of river, with broken water, a long deep pool and a shallower tail where running fish can tuck away.
Run by Mid Ribble Angling Society · checked 11 Oct 2026
River Ribble
Cross Gills Beat
Our river artwork — photos for this stretch are on the way
River level
Measured — Environment Agency
New Jumbles Rock gauge
Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.
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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open River Ready
The lowdown
- The beat starts with broken water, then settles into a long pool. Nice bit of variety straight away.
- The run into the pool can be a proper challenge for wading. Get the river at the right height, though, and it can be productive.
- A rock ledge splits the long pool into two sections. There’s deep water across much of the pool, so it’s not just a shallow chuck-and-hope job.
- Down at the tail, the water shallows and breaks up again. Look for the deeper gullies — that’s where running fish can rest.
- Salmon and sea trout are available during their respective seasons, and the beat description says they may be caught at most water heights.
- All methods may be used for salmon and sea trout. That gives members plenty of scope to match the conditions rather than forcing one approach.
- The upper end joins the Jumbles–Calder Foot Beat, described as Stonyhurst Estate water. The lower end runs into Trough House Beat just past the aqueduct.
- This is right-bank Ribble fishing with plenty going on: broken water, a long pool, a crease around the ledge and deeper resting spots in the lower water.
- The Society’s wider waters also contain brown trout, grayling and a variety of coarse fish, although no Cross Gills-specific coarse-fish list is given.
- Access is for Society members, with membership strictly limited. Members need a current car disc for access and parking facilities, and should carry their membership documents while fishing.
- We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.
Methods: All methods may be used for salmon and sea trout on the beat. The broken water, productive run, deep pool and gullied tail give you plenty to work with as river height changes.
Access & tickets
Mid Ribble Angling Society membership
Membership is strictly limited. Vacancies may become available during the year.
Hothersall Beat is available to Mid Ribble Angling Society members. Membership is limited to a maximum of 80 anglers, and a guided visit can be arranged for prospective or new members; contact the society to confirm current access and rules.
Fish the club names
trout
Named by Mid Ribble Angling Society across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.
Key rules
- All methods may be used for salmon and sea trout.
- Members must display a current car disc when using access and parking facilities.
- Members should carry membership documentation while fishing.
- Fishing is through Society membership; membership is strictly limited.
Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.
GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fishWhere it is
Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
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How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.