The Falls and The Batts, River Swale

The lowdown

• The Falls sit below Richmond Castle, so this is a cracking bit of Swale with a proper historic backdrop. You’re fishing right in and around Richmond rather than heading off into the wilds.
• The Batts is a riverside park beside the Swale near Mercury Bridge. Expect a more open, town-side feel, with the river and park shaping the setting.
• The exact swim count and stretch length aren’t given, so check the RADAS beat maps before travelling. That’s the bob-on way to pin down the right access and fishing areas.
• Fly fishing is available on the water. The Swale around here should suit anglers who enjoy working likely water rather than simply settling into one peg for the day.
• Look for the usual river clues: creases where faster water meets steadier flow, deeper runs, slack edges and any broken water around the falls. Those are the places worth a good look.
• Coarse fishing is available on selected RADAS waters, including the day-ticket programme. Trotting, feeder work and ledgering are the sensible approaches to explore the swims, depending on flow and depth.
• RADAS names wild brown trout and grayling among its fish, alongside chub, dace, barbel and pike across its waters. That gives you a decent mix of game and coarse-fishing possibilities.
• A bit of colour after rain could be well worth having for chub, dace and barbel, while clearer, steadier conditions may suit fly fishing for trout and grayling. Keep mobile and let the river show you what it’s doing.
• Your permit runs from 6:00am until 10:00pm on the booked date. No night fishing, no concessions, and every angler needs their own permit. Don’t forget the catch return afterwards, even if it’s a nil return.

Methods: Fly fishing is available, while coarse options on the day-ticket programme include trotting, feeder and ledger approaches. Read the flow, fish the creases and work the likely runs, slacks and broken water around the river features.

Access & tickets

RADAS day permits can be bought online and cost £12.50 per angler. They are valid from 6:00am to 10:00pm on the booked date, and include Easby Waters. Anglers also need an Environment Agency rod licence.

Fish the club names

trout, chub, barbel, pike

Named by Richmond & District Angling Society across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• An Environment Agency rod-fishing licence is required.
• Anglers must read and follow the current RADAS fishing rules.
• Treble hooks are not permitted.
• A catch return must be submitted after every fishing session, including nil returns.
• Each angler must purchase an individual permit.
• Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Fishing is allowed only from 6:00am until 10:00pm on the booked date.

River level

Where it is