Lyd Head, north west Dartmoor to River Tamar, near Lifton · 16 miles
Fly Fishing on the River Lyd
1 beat on the River Lyd sell access by the day.
Where the River Lyd 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 Lyd
1 beat availableBrowse day tickets, syndicate rods, and permit fishing on the River Lyd. Each beat listing includes pricing, species, and booking details.
About the River Lyd
River Lyd at a glance
- Length
- 16 miles
- Source
- Lyd Head, north west Dartmoor
- Mouth
- River Tamar, near Lifton
- Tributary of
- River Tamar
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Water type
- Spate
Fish species
Anglers on the River Lyd can target brown trout, sea trout and salmon. Brown trout dominate most beats here; grayling, sea trout, and salmon appear on certain rivers and seasons.
The River Lyd rises at Lyd Head, on Corn Ridge in the north west of Dartmoor, and flows into the Tamar just beyond Lifton. On the way it runs through Lydford Gorge, the deepest gorge in south west England, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a place where otters have been recorded.
It is one of the main tributaries of the Tamar. With its source on the moor it runs fast and clear, and it is a true spate stream: levels rise and fall quickly. That makes timing everything. The best of the salmon and sea trout fishing comes in the days after the peak of a spate, when the river is coming back into order.
During the summer the Lyd is an excellent sea trout river, and much of the night fishing in the area takes place here. The pools are easy to fish for a novice, with shallow wading, while experienced anglers will enjoy the pools, riffles and rocky runs.
Higher up, the upper Lyd is a small, lightly fished stream for wild brown trout, where stealth and careful wading matter more than the size of your rod.
Fishing on the Lyd is on private and hotel water, so check before you go.
FAQ
River Lyd FAQs
Common questions about fishing the River Lyd, from day tickets and seasons to what to expect on the bank.
