River Aire – Gibraltar Island to Thwaite Mill

The lowdown

• This is Leeds & District ASA water, so you’ll need a yearbook to fish it. It isn’t a general day-ticket stretch.
• The water runs from Gibraltar Island down to Thwaite Mill. The official details don’t give a separate length or peg count, so expect swims rather than a neat numbered-peg setup.
• Fishing is from the right bank only. The stretch sits between two weirs, meaning the flow and depth will vary around the structure and calmer edges.
• It’s a coarse and trout venue, according to the society. No individual fish species are listed for this particular stretch, so don’t assume anything more specific.
• The surrounding scene is very much canalised urban Aire: Thwaite Mills, the Aire and Calder Navigation, locks and the Trans Pennine Trail all sit in the mix.
• Access is from Low Road at Thwaite Gate. After the Crooked Billet, turn into Thwaite Lane, carry on about 200 yards, then turn left into the car park.
• From there, cross the lock and follow the Trans Pennine Trail towards Gibraltar Island. At Thwaite Mill, pass the first car park, cross the canal bridge and continue along Thwaite Lane to the large car park.
• There’s no access or fishing in the Thwaite Mill grounds. Keep that boundary firmly in mind when working out where to settle in.
• With two weirs in the stretch, look for changes in pace and depth. Trotting, a light feeder or a well-presented bait in the crease are the obvious approaches, adjusted to the flow on the day.
• No official night-fishing permission is stated. Membership runs from 1 January to 31 December, and the society’s yearbook covers all Leeds & District ASA waters.

Methods: Work the crease and softer water around the weirs with a float or light feeder, changing the presentation as the flow dictates. The urban setting and varied pace should reward a tidy, mobile approach rather than piling gear into one swim.

Access & tickets

Get a yearbook through the society’s membership arrangements; membership runs from January 1 to December 31, with no joining fee and postage and packing included in published yearbook prices. Fishing can begin immediately after payment, using your PayPal receipt as membership evidence.

Fish the club names

The club doesn't list species for this stretch, so we haven't guessed.

Key rules

• Yearbook-holders only; this is not a general day-ticket fishery.
• Fishing is on the right bank between the two weirs.
• There is no access or fishing in the Thwaite Mill grounds.
• A member may take a guest up to three times per year.
• A guest pass costs £7.
• Membership runs from 1 January to 31 December.
• No official night-fishing permission is stated for this stretch.

River level

Where it is