River Swale – Catterick Bridge

River level

The lowdown

• This is a compact little beat rather than a long wandering fishery, so peg choice matters. You’re looking at designated pegs 36–37 and a 150-metre run upstream from Catterick Bridge.
• RADAS controls the north bank here. It’s a proper mixed fishery, with both fly and coarse fishing available on the day ticket.
• The wider RADAS River Swale waters are described as holding wild brown trout, grayling, chub, dace, barbel and pike. A tidy spread of options, depending on the season and conditions.
• For trout, the season runs from 25 March to 30 September inclusive. Coarse fish and grayling are in season from 16 June to 14 March inclusive.
• The river is shut completely from 15 March to 24 March. Worth checking the dates before buying a permit, especially around the seasonal switch.
• Keep things mobile and match the method to the water in front of you. Fly fishing is available, while coarse anglers can make the most of the short beat with a careful float or feeder approach.
• Whatever you’re doing, handle every fish carefully and return it alive. No fish may be killed or removed, so bring the right landing kit and a disgorger.
• You can use no more than two rods at once. Hooks must be single-pointed and barbless or nipped-barbed; doubles and trebles are not allowed.
• Permits are date-specific, and day-ticket anglers must submit a catch return within 24 hours. Carry proof of both your permit and Environment Agency rod licence while fishing.
• Dogs, fires, barbecues and littering are prohibited. Close every gate behind you, and remember that night-fishing permission and a dedicated car park aren’t stated for this beat.

Methods: Fly and coarse fishing are both available. Keep the approach tidy and adaptable on this short beat, with the exact tactic dictated by the conditions and the swim.

Access & tickets

RADAS day permits are available to visiting anglers at £12.50 per angler. Each angler must purchase an individual permit; there are no day-ticket concessions.

Fish the club names

trout, chub, barbel, pike, chub

Named by Richmond & District Angling Society (RADAS) across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Every angler must hold an Environment Agency rod licence and carry proof of it alongside proof of their date-specific day permit.
• All fish must be handled carefully and returned alive. No fish may be killed or removed.
• Trout season is 25 March to 30 September inclusive. 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.
• No more than two rods may be used at one time.
• Only single-pointed barbless or nipped-barbed hooks are permitted. Double and treble hooks are prohibited.
• Keep and landing nets must be knotless and meet Environment Agency specifications, and a disgorger must be carried.
• Dogs, fires, barbecues and littering are prohibited. Gates must be closed after use, and day-ticket anglers must submit a catch return within 24 hours.

Where it is