Strathmore Estate, Upper Tees and Maize Beck

The page calls the brown trout fishing exceptional, particularly from Middleton-in-Teesdale all the way to the upper limit of Maize Beck. The fish up there are not big, but they scrap and are noted for their dark colour from the peat tinted water, and a catch return of 30 fish a day is not uncommon.

Maize Beck is an upland feeder stream, similar in character to the main river, just smaller, and the page calls it virgin water never before available to the public. The limit runs from the confluence with the Tees upstream for two and a half miles to the watergate crossing. A day has to be planned: it is a walk of at least an hour and a half from a downstream approach, or you can park at Cow Green reservoir, walk to Cauldron Snout on the public footpath, and cross the river simply below the Snout to reach the beck.

Wading on the Strathmore Estate can be tricky, though it is manageable lower down, and a wading staff is advised. From Cronkley Bridge to the upper limit it is wadable but hard work, and fishing from the grass is a local favourite. The Tees rises fast, so check the online river levels and the weather forecast before you go. The page recommends traditional north country spiders, large bushy dry flies and large stoneflies, with streamers also a noted method, on a 9ft or 9ft 6in rod rated 4 or 5 to handle the permanent downstream wind, and for salmon dark red shrimp patterns on low water doubles or copper tubes.

There is a limit of four fish per rod, with mandatory catch and release dates for salmon, no spinning for trout is allowed and dogs are not allowed. Club rules apply and full details are issued with booking. Up to twenty tickets are sold a day. The salmon day ticket costs £25, with a weekly ticket at £70, the river trout day ticket £12, with a weekly ticket at £40, and the winter grayling day ticket £12. It is booked through the Fishing Passport.