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Beat Five – Gunnerside Estate

Plan a session

Beat Five runs along the north bank of the upper River Swale, from Gunnerside Bridge to Rampsholm Bridge. It’s an exclusively fly-fishing stretch, leased from Gunnerside Estate and run by Reeth and District Angling Club.

Run by Reeth and District Angling Club (RADAC) · checked 15 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

River level integration coming for this stretch.

My River Watch isn't available here — we haven't matched a level gauge to this stretch, and we won't guess one.

The lowdown

  • This is upper Swale fishing in proper Swaledale country, with the beat sitting between Gunnerside Bridge and Rampsholm Bridge.
  • Fishing is north bank only, so keep that in mind when planning your approach and moving between swims.
  • It’s fly fishing all the way here. No feeder faff or trotting — bring the fly gear and work the river in front of you.
  • The Swale is a spate river, so levels can rise and fall rapidly. A bit of colour and extra push in the water can change the fishing quickly.
  • The riverbed is uneven, rocky and slippery. A wading staff is recommended, and care is needed when getting across or standing in the flow.
  • Banks may be uneven, unstable, slippery or undercut. Take it steady, particularly when moving along the bank or getting into a swim.
  • There are several useful entry points: Gunnerside Bridge, Ivelet Bridge and Rampsholm Foot Bridge.
  • Parking is available opposite Gunnerside Bridge beside Gunnerside Gill, and at Ivelet Bridge. The beat can also be reached from Muker through the meadows to Rampsholm Bridge.
  • Another approach is via the unclassified road from Gunnerside Lodge. Public footpaths pass alongside some RADAC waters, so give walkers plenty of room when casting.
  • RADAC waters are primarily brown-trout fishing, with fly fishing the club’s predominant method. The season runs from 25 March to 30 September.

Methods: Exclusively fly fishing. The river is a spate water, so keep an eye on changing levels, take care on the rocky bed and fish within the conditions.

Access & tickets

Guest day ticket

Seven-day catch-and-release fishing; valid Environment Agency rod licence required.

£10 per day (as listed 15 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Guest weekly ticket

Seven consecutive days; valid Environment Agency rod licence required.

£50 for seven consecutive days (as listed 15 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Day tickets can be obtained from the Black Bull Hotel in Reeth, the Bridge Inn in Grinton, Reeth Post Office or the Kings Head in Gunnerside. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required when obtaining a ticket.

Fish the club names

trout

Named by Reeth and District Angling Club (RADAC) across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

  • Fishing is on the north bank only.
  • The beat is exclusively fly fishing.
  • Day-ticket fishing is strictly catch and release.
  • A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required when obtaining a day ticket.
  • The fishing season runs from 25 March to 30 September.
  • Retained trout must be at least 10 inches from snout to fork of tail.
  • Day-ticket anglers must notify the club after fishing by email or online catch return.
  • Anglers must consider passers-by when casting where public footpaths pass alongside the water.

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 fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

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