River Swale – Fawdington Fishery

River level

The lowdown

• The fishery starts roughly half a mile up the Fawdington road, after the wood on the left, and runs upstream to where Fawdington Beck joins the Swale.
• The water is divided into top and bottom stretches, so check which section you’ve booked before setting off. Handy enough, and less faff on arrival.
• Top-stretch access is through gates, with barrow access to pegs 1–30. That’s bob on if you’re carrying a proper load of tackle.
• Top parking is beside the farm buildings on a concrete standing, with room for around four cars. In dry weather, extra parking may be possible on the grass verge near Fawdington House.
• There are two specified grass-verge or hard-standing parking points for the bottom stretch. Leave plenty of room for farm machinery, especially combine harvesters.
• Enter through the big red farm gate or the provided stiles. Shut every gate securely behind you — livestock and farm access come first.
• The club describes its River Swale waters as offering both coarse and game fishing, including barbel and chub. All coarse fish, including pike, must go back alive.
• It’s open for coarse fishing from 16 June to 14 March. The water is shut from 15 March to 15 June inclusive, so don’t get caught out by the closed season.
• Matches can pinch availability, mainly at weekends from June to October. The bottom length is generally rented on Saturdays and the top length on Sundays.
• Keep to footpaths, avoid crops, meadows and livestock, and don’t take cars into fields unless the club has pre-arranged it for a selected match. No camping, tents or fires.

Methods: A proper coarse-and-game water, with barbel and chub specifically mentioned by the club. Tackle up for the section you’re booked on, and remember all coarse fish must be returned alive.

Access & tickets

Village Fishery day tickets are available online through the Helperby & Brafferton Angling Club website. The price is £6, and the fishery is open to day tickets throughout the open season.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, pike, trout, roach, rudd, perch, bream, tench, carp, crucian, eel, zander, catfish, rudd, chub, barbel, trout

Named by Helperby & Brafferton Angling Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• A current Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• Coarse-fishing season runs from 16 June to 14 March. Closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• All coarse fish, including pike, must be returned alive.
• Dace, chub and bleak under six inches may be used as live bait.
• Trout over 12 inches may be retained from 16 June to 30 September, with a limit of two trout per member per day.
• Enter via the large red farm gate or provided stiles, and securely close all gates.
• Cars are prohibited from entering fields unless pre-arranged for selected matches.
• Camping, tents and fires are prohibited. Dogs require permission from the club committee.
• Keep to footpaths and avoid crops, meadows and livestock.
• The fishery may be unavailable during matches.

Where it is