Cotherstone Fly Fishing Club – River Tees water at Cotherstone

The lowdown

• This is the River Tees water at Cotherstone, forming a distinct part of the club’s fishing across the Tees and River Balder.
• The club holds roughly 2 miles of rights across both rivers, though the exact mileage of the Tees section isn’t stated.
• Expect a bouldery, wooded river with visible riffles and pools. Proper classic upland river water rather than a sedate canal-like glide.
• The stretch sits near Cotherstone’s footbridge and the confluence with the River Balder, giving you a useful local landmark when finding the water.
• It’s fly-only, no faffing about with float or feeder gear. Fishing must be with a fly rod and line, with a landing net allowed as an auxiliary.
• Barbless hooks, or hooks with the barb flattened, are encouraged. A sensible approach for this sort of pockety, bouldery water.
• The stated trout season runs from 22 March to 30 September, subject to the Environment Agency dates. Grayling runs from 16 June to 14 March, again subject to those dates.
• Membership is open to Cotherstone Parish residents, past and present. Associate membership is available if you live outside the parish, but a bank walk, proposal and seconding by current members are needed for new membership.
• There’s no dedicated Tees parking area given on the official information. Cotherstone, in postcode district DL12, is the nearest village access point.
• Keep the riverbanks and adjoining land tidy, and fish entirely at your own risk. The website doesn’t confirm night fishing, so don’t assume it’s on the cards.

Methods: This is fly-rod territory, plain and simple. Work the riffles and pools with artificial flies, keeping things tidy around the boulders and wooded edges; a landing net can be used as an auxiliary.

Access & tickets

Fishing is controlled by Cotherstone Fly Fishing Club. Membership is open to Cotherstone Parish residents, past and present, with associate membership for people living outside the parish; new members need a bank walk plus proposal and seconding by current members. Guest/day tickets are member-accompanied rather than freely available public tickets.

Fish the club names

trout, rudd

Named by Cotherstone Fly Fishing Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Artificial fly fishing only, using a fly rod and line.
• A landing net may be used as an auxiliary.
• Barbless hooks, or flattened barbs, are encouraged.
• Trout season is stated as 22 March to 30 September, subject to Environment Agency dates.
• Grayling season is stated as 16 June to 14 March, subject to Environment Agency dates.
• No member may remove or kill more than two fish in one day.
• Fish below Environment Agency guidelines must not be removed or killed.
• Members must minimise damage to riverbanks and adjoining land, and fish entirely at their own risk.

River level

Where it is