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River Wharfe at Arthington

Plan a session

A cracking 1,600-metre mixed game and coarse stretch on the lowland River Wharfe at Arthington, run by Bradford City Angling Association. Expect tree-lined banks, slower lower reaches and streamier upper water for nymphing.

Run by Bradford City Angling Association · checked 15 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Pool Bridge gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open Pool Bridge on Live River Levels

The lowdown

  • This is a sizeable bit of river, with roughly 1,600 metres to explore near Arthington Viaduct and Castley.
  • The Wharfe is about 40 metres wide here, so there’s plenty of water to pick apart rather than just a handful of obvious pegs.
  • Many sections are lined with trees, giving the stretch a proper riverside feel and plenty of cover along the margins.
  • The lower reaches are fairly slow-moving. That should suit a patient approach, with careful presentation and a good look at the crease.
  • Upstream, the water gets streamier and is specifically suited to nymphing. Keep an eye on the pace and work the likely lanes through the flow.
  • Summer evenings offer dry-fly fishing, so those warm, calmer sessions are well worth pencilling in.
  • Autumn and winter bring the chance to trot a worm for grayling. A controlled float, steady feed and a tidy line should be bob on in the flow.
  • It’s a mixed game and coarse fishery, with brown trout, chub, grayling and pike named for the stretch.
  • Japanese knotweed is present in places. Clean your footwear after fishing and don’t move plant material from the bank.
  • Access to the downstream end is on foot from the end of Warren Lane. Parking beneath the viaduct is limited to about four vehicles, shared with the public, so don’t block farm or Yorkshire Water access. Leeds City Council patrols the lane and may issue fines.
  • We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Nymph the streamier upper water, try evening dry flies through summer, or trot a worm for grayling in autumn and winter. The slower lower reaches call for a tidy, patient presentation.

Access & tickets

Bradford City Angling Association membership

The association's waters are member fisheries. Check the association for current membership arrangements.

Bradford City Angling Association does not issue day tickets. You’ll need current BCAA membership, or a pre-booked guest permit from a member.

Fish the club names

carp, chub, pike, trout

Key rules

  • Fishing is strictly catch and release.
  • Only barbless or de-barbed flies may be used according to the fishery description.
  • Fishing is permitted from 25 March to 14 March of the following year.
  • Complete an online catch return after fishing.
  • Clean footwear and avoid transporting Japanese knotweed or other plant material from the bank.
  • Do not block farm or Yorkshire Water access points.

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.

Community reported

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