Iron Banks Wood

River level

The lowdown

• This beat runs downstream from the old railway bridge towards the beck in Iron Banks Wood. A proper mix of riverbank and flowing water.
• RADAS says there are good spots for both fly and coarse fishing, but you’ll need to explore a bit to find the best locations. No sitting tight in the first swim you see.
• The lower section of Peg 10 is the one to look at for fly fishing. Handy if you fancy working the river with a fly rod.
• For coarse fishing, Peg 10 and The Sand Hole are the suggested areas. Worth checking both before settling in.
• The flow, depth and features aren’t broken down swim by swim, so keep your eyes open for anything that looks fishy and make the most of the water in front of you.
• Bankside erosion is significant on the downstream approach. Take care underfoot, especially when moving between swims.
• The path behind the sewage-station railings can get overgrown in summer. There’s also a bit of pungency around the sewage works — not exactly a rose garden.
• Parking is free at Easby Abbey, or at the sewage works on the south bank below Easby Bridge. Access is from the Richmond-to-Catterick road, about a mile beyond The Station; the entrance is on the left from Richmond.
• Any legal method is allowed, with fly and coarse fishing both permitted. All fish must be handled carefully and returned unharmed. Single-point barbless or nipped-barb hooks only, and no double or treble hooks.

Methods: Fly fishing suits the lower section, while coarse anglers can have a proper look around Peg 10 and The Sand Hole. Trotting, feeder or other legal approaches are allowed, but the club’s advice is simple: explore until you find the bob-on water.

Access & tickets

RADAS day permits can be bought online and cost £12.50 per angler. They are valid from 6:00am to 10:00pm on the booked date, and include Easby Waters. Anglers also need an Environment Agency rod licence.

Fish the club names

trout, chub, barbel, pike

Key rules

• Any legal method is allowed on the beat.
• All fish must be handled carefully and released alive.
• Single-point barbless or nipped-barb hooks are required.
• Double and treble hooks are not allowed.
• No more than two rods may be used at once.
• Day-ticket anglers must submit a catch return within 24 hours.
• The trout season is 25 March to 30 September inclusive.
• The coarse-fish and grayling season is 16 June to 14 March inclusive.
• The river is closed to all fishing from 15 March to 24 March.
• Dogs, littering, fires and barbecues are prohibited.

Where it is