Arnford Water

River level

The lowdown

• This is proper river fishing rather than a neat-and-tidy put-and-take job. The Association follows a wild-trout policy and does no stocking.
• You get roughly 1.5 miles of fishing, and it’s double bank. Plenty of river to explore, with the Ribble’s natural flow doing the hard work.
• Fly fishing is the preferred approach — and on Arnford it’s the only permitted method under the lease. Keep things tidy and read the water.
• Brown trout and grayling are the main attraction. Salmon turn up in some years too, depending on water conditions, but every salmon must go straight back.
• The Association carries out riverine habitat improvement, so this is very much managed as wild river fishing rather than a heavily stocked venue.
• Membership is tight at around 150 people, and there has been a waiting list. That keeps the pressure limited, which is bob on for a stretch like this.
• Access is via the farm buildings and meadow track, or along the fence at the edge of the wood. Do not try to reach either bank from Halton West Bridge.
• Park on the grass beside the road leading to the farm buildings. Leave the milk-tanker hardstanding clear — causing a cheeky farm-access faff won’t end well.
• A current Environment Agency rod licence is needed, and members must carry proof of Association membership. Recognised access routes only, with no trespassing.
• The season dates matter. Brown trout run from 15 March to 30 September; sea-trout from 1 April to 30 September; salmon from 1 February to 30 October.

Methods: Fly fishing is the method here, with the river’s wild trout and grayling the main game. Spinning is prohibited unless the Arnford gauge is above 0.8 metres, and it is also prohibited from 15 March to 15 June.

Access & tickets

Fishing is through Settle Anglers Association Ltd membership. Members may bring guests on the Arnford water using £10 invitation tickets, but guests must be accompanied by the member.

Fish the club names

trout, bream, chub

Key rules

• Fly fishing only on the Arnford stretch.
• All salmon must be safely returned to the river.
• Environment Agency close seasons apply.
• Spinning is prohibited unless the Arnford gauge is above 0.8 metres.
• Spinning is prohibited from 15 March to 15 June.
• A current Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• Members must carry proof of Association membership while fishing.
• Use recognised access routes, avoid trespassing, and do not access either bank from Halton West Bridge.
• Do not bring dogs, damage gates or fences, or leave litter.

Where it is