River Wharfe at Wray Wood, Boston Spa

River level

The lowdown

• The upper limit is below the concrete and stone wall beneath the weir. Don’t cross the upper-limit fence — simple as that.
• There’s a weir pool at the top, with the river then carrying on downstream as far as access allows. Plenty of water to explore.
• The club describes the stretch as 1,200 yards of coarse fishing. No peg numbers are given, so expect a more natural, wandering river session rather than a numbered-peg job.
• A large head of barbel is the main draw. The club has reported fish to 15lb 8oz, including a Yorkshire-record barbel from this water, with another reported at 14lb 15oz.
• Big chub are present too, while very large perch add a cheeky bonus target in the right swims and conditions.
• Other named fish include dace, roach, eels, pike, carp and grayling. A proper mixed bag of river life, then.
• For the lower length, walk behind the Dutch barn and follow the field side. The upper water is reached from the car park via a stile down the field to the weir pool.
• Barbel tactics are the obvious starting point: feeder work and careful bait placement around the crease, deeper water and steady flow. Trotting could be bob on for dace and roach where the river eases off.
• The closed season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. Most club waters commonly allow fishing from 05:00 to 22:00, with 15 minutes for tackling up, but check the specific water rules before fishing.
• Access is via Leys Lane off the A659. It turns into a gravel track towards the farm, with parking in the orchard on the left before the farm buildings.

Methods: Feeder fishing for barbel around the deeper flow, crease and weir-pool water looks the business. When the river settles, trotting for dace and roach or working likely slack-water swims for chub and perch could be proper handy.

Access & tickets

Tickets can be bought through Bingley Angling Club’s online shop, from listed tackle shops or from Crossflatts newsagents. Buy one before fishing starts and keep the receipt with you.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, perch, roach, pike, carp, eel, trout

Key rules

• The closed season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Do not cross the upper-limit fence.
• The upper fishing limit is below the concrete and stone wall beneath the weir.
• Fishing continues downstream only as far as is accessible.
• A full Bingley Angling Club yearbook is required to fish the water.
• Boston Spa is not available on ordinary day tickets.
• Guest tickets require an accompanying club member, and an individual guest is limited to two visits per calendar year.
• Most club waters commonly allow fishing from 05:00 to 22:00, with a 15-minute tackling allowance, but anglers must check the water-specific rules.

Where it is