Fishing

• Reservoir
• River Ure
• Coarse

The middle section of the River Ure, which runs through the Swinton Estate and downstream from Masham, is a medium sized river with good hatches of fly right through the season. It is renowned for its brown trout and grayling, with April/May and September/October probably being the prime months.There have been increasing numbers of salmon and sea trout coming up the Ure and some of these are now being caught again on the estate stretch. This section of the river enjoys a fairly sheltered position and does not drop too low in the summer months.

The River Ure is a typical “freestone” Dales river and the fish can be caught on wide variety of fly-fishing styles. The most famous fly-fishing style in these parts is the use of traditional Yorkshire Spiders. However, other methods such as dry fly, wet fly, upstream nymph and Czech nymphing can all be used to great effect.   

Since the 1980’s, water quality in the River Ure has improved dramatically and this has led to a rapid increase in salmon numbers. Ure Salmon Trust, Yorkshire Dales River Trust and Environment Agnecy have also worked on habitat improvement and on smolt release, so that juvenile densities of salmon at some sites on the River Ure have now increased to rival those of the UK’s best salmon rivers.

Swinton Park’s Beat (the Lower Section)

Fishing the lower section of the river is possible if booked through the hotel at Swinton Park. This is available to day and resident guests at the hotel, with or without a ghillie. The charge for a day’s fishing on the hotel’s stretch of the river is £35 per rod (or £30 per rods for groups of four or more).

For guests staying at Swinton Park and non-resident visitors, ghillies are available by arrangement (advance booking required). Rates per person range from £120 for a half day, and £190 for a full day. Beginners start their lessons on Home Lake in the parkland.

The hotel’s stretch can be fished any time of the day by up to 4 rods. Catch-and release operates for all fish.  Hooks to be barbless or de-barbed. Dryfly fishing is upstream only; ‘wets’ can be fished across and downstream. Wading is allowed but a staff is recommended with chest waders for deeper pools.  Fishing is only available to hotel or non-resident guests at Swinton Park.

Recommended tackle : 9ft fly rod. Wet flies: Snipe & Purple; Hare Lugg; Partridge & Orange. Dry Flies: Greenwell’s Glory; Iron Blue Dunn; March Brown. Nymphs can be used in the deeper pools.

The Upper Section

Fishing the upper section of the river is possible by joining the Masham Angling Club. Day tickets are not permitted. If you would like to join, please see http://robtheakston.wordpress.com/masham-angling-club/ or contact their current secretary Gareth Jones on 01765 689124.