Bishop Auckland Town Water, River Wear

River level

The lowdown

• This is the club’s Bishop Auckland town water, with the fishable bank marked by a red dotted line on the BADAC map. Nice and straightforward once you’ve picked out the recognised access points.
• The stretch starts around Dam Head and the rugby-club area, then heads under Newton Cap towards Dial Stob Hill and Auckland Palace. Proper urban Wear country, with plenty of landmarks to keep you oriented.
• Access is shown around Dam Head, Newton Cap Bank and Dial Stob Hill. Use the stiles and recognised routes rather than making a cheeky shortcut across ground.
• Parking is available at Dam Head and at the public park near the rugby club. There’s also parking at The Batts and on suitable roadside verges.
• Do park considerately, especially at The Batts, where residential parking is limited. Leave gates as you find them and take every bit of litter home.
• BADAC lists Atlantic salmon, sea trout, brown trout and grayling among its River Wear species. That gives the stretch a proper migratory-fish and game-fishing feel.
• Fly fishing is allowed with no more than three flies on the cast. Bait fishing is also permitted, provided the tackle and bait are legal and club-approved.
• For grayling, worm float fishing is tightly controlled: maximum 3lb breaking strain and one barbless or de-barbed hook no bigger than size 12. No ledgering or maggots for grayling.
• Spinning is banned from November 1 to April 30 inclusive. Maggots, keepnets, groundbaiting and gaffs are prohibited across club waters, so keep the approach tidy and simple.

Methods: This is mainly a fly and permitted bait-fishing job, with the Wear’s salmon, sea trout, trout and grayling options shaping the approach. For grayling, stick to the specific worm-float rules and keep everything barbless or de-barbed as required.

Access & tickets

Visitors can fish BADAC waters by buying a day ticket through the club’s online booking system. The nearest postcode supplied on the Town Water map is DL14 7PA; an Environment Agency rod licence is also required.

Fish the club names

trout, trout, trout, trout

Named by Bishop Auckland & District Angling Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Carry your club permit or identity card and Environment Agency rod licence while fishing.
• Fly fishing is limited to no more than three flies on a cast. Bait fishing must use legal, club-approved tackle and bait.
• For grayling, worm float fishing only: maximum 3lb breaking strain and one barbless or de-barbed hook no larger than size 12. No ledgering or maggots for grayling.
• Maggots, keepnets, groundbaiting and gaffs are prohibited. Spinning is prohibited from November 1 through April 30 inclusive.
• All trout and grayling must be returned. The migratory-fish bag limit is two fish per day, subject to current rules and laws; hen salmon and sea trout must be returned after August 31, and all migratory fish after September 30.
• Dogs, guns, radios and fires are prohibited while fishing. Use recognised access and stiles, leave gates as found and take litter home.
• Juniors may not fish from one hour after sunset until one hour before dawn unless accompanied by an adult member.

Where it is