Nags Head and Oxney Flatts Waters

River level

The lowdown

• This is the left-hand, County Durham bank of the Tees, and the club describes it as one of its river stretches.
• The water is a proper mixed fishery, with productive river pegs offering trout, grayling and coarse-fish potential.
• There are excellent stocks of wild brown trout, plus grayling, dace, chub, barbel, pike and bream. Occasional salmon and sea-trout turn up too.
• The stretch is roughly two miles long. The upstream end is Blackwell Pumping Station, while the downstream boundary is the mouth of the River Skerne.
• Access is via the track to Blackwell Pumping Station, from Oxney Flatts Farm, and from lay-bys on Croft Road. Parking is given at Oxney Flatts Farm and the Croft Road lay-bys.
• With trout, grayling and coarse fish all in play, this is one for adapting to the conditions. Trotting, feeder work and sensible float approaches all fit the mixed-water character.
• Keep an eye on the river and fish the likely features — the creases, steady glides and any deeper-looking pegs. The club highlights some of these swims as its best performers.
• The trout season rules matter here. Groundbaiting and maggot fishing are banned on river waters during the trout season and before 16 June.
• Spinning is prohibited from 1 March to 15 June, apart from salmon fishing. Salmon fishing needs a special permit from the honorary secretary.
• It is strictly catch and release or no-kill throughout. No fish may be killed or removed, and anglers must stick to recognised access points, footpaths and closed gates.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: A versatile mixed-river approach is the ticket here: trotting for dace, grayling and chub, with feeder or float tactics where the flow and peg suit. Trout and the occasional salmon or sea-trout need to be approached within the club’s seasonal rules.

Access & tickets

Day and weekly tickets are available from Darlington Anglers Club’s honorary secretary. The official club website also provides a day-ticket booking link for River Tees fishing.

Fish the club names

trout, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, rudd, chub, eel

Key rules

• 100% catch and release or no-kill: no fish, including salmon, sea-trout, brown trout, grayling and coarse fish, may be killed or removed.
• Carry the relevant Environment Agency fishing licence.
• Use recognised access points, keep to footpaths and close gates.
• Dogs are not permitted on club waters.
• All anglers fish at their own risk.
• A maximum of two rods may be in use at any time.
• Groundbaiting and maggot fishing are prohibited on river waters during the trout season and before 16 June.
• Spinning is prohibited from 1 March through 15 June, except for salmon fishing.
• Salmon fishing requires a special permit from the honorary secretary.

Where it is