Southern Dartmoor, on the Abbot’s Way to Bigbury Bay, near Mothecombe · 17 miles
Fly Fishing on the River Erme
1 beat on the River Erme sell access by the day, from £20.
Where the River Erme runs
The river's course with every beat and fishery we list on it. Tap a marker for a quick read on price.
Fishing Beats on the River Erme
1 beat availableBrowse day tickets, syndicate rods, and permit fishing on the River Erme. Each beat listing includes pricing, species, and booking details.
Clubs and syndicates on the River Erme
1 clubMembership bodies holding water on the River Erme. Some sell day tickets alongside membership, others are open to members only, and a few run a waiting list.
About the River Erme
River Erme at a glance
- Length
- 17 miles
- Source
- Southern Dartmoor, on the Abbot’s Way
- Mouth
- Bigbury Bay, near Mothecombe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Water type
- Spate
Fish species
Anglers on the River Erme can target brown trout. Brown trout dominate most beats here; grayling, sea trout, and salmon appear on certain rivers and seasons.
The River Erme rises in the middle of southern Dartmoor, on the Abbot’s Way, less than a mile south of the source of the Plym. It flows south through a landscape of Bronze Age remains, including the longest stone row on the moor, then leaves Dartmoor at Ivybridge and continues past Ermington, Modbury and Holbeton. Near Holbeton it becomes a ria and empties into Bigbury Bay, between the Yealm and the Avon.
It is a short river, but the beats are varied. Easy pools lie on the edge of Ivybridge, and there are quiet pockets further off the beaten track. The Erme holds wild brown trout, and the fishing is the sort where you pick your way along from pool to pool rather than cover a long length.
Tidal water reaches as far as a weir at Lopwell, so the game fishing sits above that point. The lower river is a ria, and the estuary itself is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Like its neighbours, the Erme rises and falls quickly. Check the level before travelling, as a moorland stream can be too low in a dry summer and too high after rain.
FAQ
River Erme FAQs
Common questions about fishing the River Erme, from day tickets and seasons to what to expect on the bank.
