Strathmore Estate Upper Tees – south/west bank from Middleton-in-Teesdale towards High Force

River level

The lowdown

• This is Strathmore Estate water, sitting on the south and west bank. The Raby Estate water is on the opposite, north and east bank, so don’t mix the two up.
• The beat runs upstream from around Middleton-in-Teesdale towards High Force. High Force is the impassable upstream limit for the salmon fishing, and there’s no fishing at Low Force.
• It’s fast, lively river water and rises quickly. Check river levels and the forecast before setting off — a bit of extra colour can be handy, but a proper spate soon makes things awkward.
• Wading can be difficult, especially on the higher ground from Cronkley Bridge towards the upper limit. A wading staff is a very sensible bit of kit here.
• The upper water has dark-coloured brown trout tied to the peat-stained water. Around 30 brown trout a day is described as possible in the upper section.
• Fishing from the grass is a locally favoured approach on the upper water. Handy when the flow is pushing or the wading looks a bit spicy.
• Fly only, with North Country spiders, bushy dries, stoneflies and streamers all suggested. A 9ft or 9ft 6in #4 or #5 rod suits the river and its downstream wind.
• Salmon fishing is available from Dent Bank upstream towards High Force, with the lower end particularly associated with salmon after mid-August.
• Access is described as easy overall, but expect a walk to reach the water. The estate also offers roughly 2.5 miles on remote, upland Maize Beck, which needs a planned walk.
• There’s a four-fish limit per rod. Salmon catch-and-release dates apply, and the full rules arrive with the booking. Dogs aren’t allowed.

Methods: Keep it mobile with North Country spiders, bushy dry flies, stoneflies or streamers. A 9ft or 9ft 6in #4/#5 rod is suggested, with grass-bank fishing a cracking option when the wading is hard work.

Access & tickets

Tickets are offered through The Fishing Passport booking platform. The listed prices are £25 for a full-day salmon ticket, £70 for a weekly salmon ticket and £12 for a full-day winter grayling ticket; a maximum of 20 tickets per day is listed.

Fish the club names

trout

Key rules

• Fly only.
• A four-fish limit per rod applies.
• Mandatory catch-and-release dates apply to salmon.
• Spinning for trout is not permitted.
• Dogs are not allowed.
• National Environment Agency byelaws must be followed.
• There is no fishing at Low Force.
• High Force is the impassable upstream limit for the described salmon fishing.
• Full club and fishery rules are issued with the booking.

Where it is