River Wharfe at Burnsall, Appletreewick and Barden

The lowdown

• This is classic varied Wharfe water rather than one endless uniform run. You get everything from lively riffles and shallow glides to deeper pools and tucked-away pocket water.
• The club calls it some of the best fly-fishing water on the river, and it’s primarily a fly-only sort of day. Both traditional and modern fly methods are suited here.
• Burnsall is roughly halfway along the club’s preserves and has strong North Country Spider fishing connections. A cracking bit of water for working those traditional patterns through the crease.
• Named areas include Loup Scar, Rookery Flat, Wills Island, Red Lion Flat, Bridge Pool, Cross Bend, Rock Pool and Hartlington Straight. Handy names to get your bearings from the river map.
• Wading is generally fairly easy, though chest waders with felt or studded soles are recommended. The banks can still be steep, uneven and slippery, so don’t switch off when moving between swims.
• The river is managed on a non-stocking basis and holds good stocks of wild brown trout. Grayling are also present, with their numbers and size increasing.
• The fishing is catch and release, so handle fish carefully and keep the whole thing tidy. It’s a proper wild-river approach rather than a put-and-take setup.
• There are short sections outside ABBAC control, marked on the club’s beat map. Check the map before settling into a swim, especially around the named Burnsall features.
• Fast or deep water, power lines, fences, stiles and livestock all feature in the club’s risk assessment. Take a bit of care, especially after rain when the river has some colour and extra push.
• Members may practise traditional long-trotting with a worm for grayling from 1 October to 28 February. Otherwise, the main game is stalking trout and grayling with the fly through the trout and grayling season.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Primarily fly fishing, with modern and traditional approaches both at home here. Burnsall is particularly associated with North Country Spider fishing, while members can long-trot a worm for grayling from 1 October to 28 February.

Access & tickets

The water is run by Appletreewick, Barden and Burnsall Angling Club (ABBAC). There are no day or weekly tickets; access is through club membership, a member’s guest ticket, or an authorised pupil or guide arrangement.

Fish the club names

trout

Key rules

• Catch and release applies on the river.
• No day or weekly tickets are available.
• Access is restricted to members, guests and authorised pupils or guides.
• Members may purchase a limited number of guest tickets, subject to club arrangements.
• Traditional long-trotting with a worm for grayling is permitted from 1 October to 28 February for members.
• Some short sections are not controlled by the club; check the club’s beat map and keep clear of out-of-bounds areas.
• Take care around steep, uneven and slippery banks, fast or deep water, power lines, fences, stiles and livestock.
• The club recommends chest waders with felt or studded soles.

River level

Where it is