Confluence of Birkdale Beck and Great Sleddale Beck near Keld, Swaledale to Joins the River Ure near Myton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire · 73.2 miles
Fly Fishing on the River Swale
6 beats on the River Swale sell access by the day, from £13.
Where the River Swale 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 Swale
6 beats availableBrowse day tickets, syndicate rods, and permit fishing on the River Swale. Each beat listing includes pricing, species, and booking details.
Clubs and syndicates on the River Swale
1 clubMembership bodies holding water on the River Swale. Some sell day tickets alongside membership, others are open to members only, and a few run a waiting list.
About the River Swale
River Swale at a glance
- Length
- 73.2 miles
- Source
- Confluence of Birkdale Beck and Great Sleddale Beck near Keld, Swaledale
- Mouth
- Joins the River Ure near Myton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Water type
- Spate
Fish species
Anglers on the River Swale can target brown trout and grayling. Brown trout dominate most beats here; grayling, sea trout, and salmon appear on certain rivers and seasons.
The River Swale starts where Birkdale Beck and Great Sleddale Beck meet near Keld and runs about 73 miles through Swaledale, past Reeth, Grinton, Richmond and Catterick, before it joins the Ure near Myton-on-Swale. In the upper dale it drops over a string of waterfalls, including Wain Wath Force, Catrake Force and Kisdon Force.
It is described as one of the fastest flowing rivers in England, and its level has been known to rise ten feet in twenty minutes. That is the whole story of fishing the Swale. It is a spate river, and the best days are when it has come up, dropped and cleared, rather than when it is in full flood or very low.
Around Richmond and Easby the river opens out into long glides, riffles, deep pools and pocket water, which makes good fly water. Anglers on the middle river report trout, grayling and chub, with some sections kept for trout only and closed in the winter.
With a river that moves like this, it is worth checking the level and the weather upstream before you set out. Fishing on the Swale is held by clubs, associations and private owners, and some of it is available by the day.
FAQ
River Swale FAQs
Common questions about fishing the River Swale, from day tickets and seasons to what to expect on the bank.
