Barnard Castle Angling Club – River Tees, Barnard Castle section

River level

The lowdown

• This is the club’s main Tees water around the market town, with both single- and double-bank fishing across the stretch.
• There’s a good mix of named water to explore, including Towlers, Tees Cottage, Waterman’s Island, Gents, Castle Well and Stone Bridge.
• Cromwell, The Mill, Demesnes, Coghole, Tip Pool, Boat Pool and Water’s End are also marked as named pools. Plenty to go at, basically.
• Expect varied river character rather than one repetitive run. Weirs, rocky sections, pools and deeper water all feature across the fishery.
• The club describes the River Tees as offering both game and coarse-fishing opportunities, so there’s scope for different approaches.
• Brown-trout fishing runs from 22 March to 30 September inclusive. Spinning for brown trout is strictly prohibited, so keep it to permitted methods.
• Migratory-fish fishing is allowed during darkness, but fly only. Hen salmon and coloured migratory fish must go straight back.
• Barbless or debarbed hooks are required for every method. Bring a knotless landing net, an efficient disgorger and lead substitutes.
• The club’s map is well worth checking before setting off. It carries pool locations plus access, parking and individual restrictions, which could save a proper faff on the bank.

Methods: A varied Tees job for fly fishing and other permitted game or coarse approaches, with rocky runs, pools, weirs and deeper water all in the mix. Match the method to the swim, and remember that migratory fish after dark are fly only.

Access & tickets

Day and weekly passes are available through The Fishing Passport. The club also provides online membership and visitor-pass access; an Environment Agency rod licence is required as well.

Fish the club names

trout, barbel, bream, roach, rudd, chub, eel

Named by Barnard Castle Angling Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• An Environment Agency rod licence is required, along with club membership or a day pass.
• Brown-trout fishing is permitted from 22 March to 30 September inclusive.
• Spinning for brown trout is strictly prohibited.
• Hen salmon and coloured migratory fish must be released.
• Only one cock salmon may be kept per season.
• The daily limit is four sizeable trout. The River Tees size limit is nine inches.
• Barbless or debarbed hooks are required for all fishing methods.
• No keepnets, gaffs or ordinary lead. Use knotless landing nets and lead substitutes.

Where it is