Upper Eden Beats

Beat 2: Swindale Beck

1 Token
Brown Trout

Approx. 1 kilometre of double bank fishing.

The Swindale Beck is one of the many streams draining the western flanks of the North Pennines, and provides about one kilometre of double bank fishing.

The beck has some interesting pools, especially under the bridge, and access is good as there are few trees.

May 2009 - There are definitely fish here! One beautifully marked brown trout of around 14" and another which evaded capture...

Beat 3: River Eden: Musgrave Beat

2 Tokens
Brown Trout, Maybe Grayling

About one kilometre of right bank fishing on the beautiful Upper River Eden, downstream of Musgrave (near Kirkby Stephen).

There are a number of very deep and dark pools that look very promising indeed.

Wild brownies are known to be in residence. The area is known for salmon spawning, and recent reliable reports tell of grayling. Efforts to elicit information from local sources has only uncovered the sort of stories that made Loch Ness famous!

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Beat 5: Hoff Beck

2 Tokens
Brown Trout

1 kilometre of double bank fishing

The Hoff Beck drains part of the limestone pavement above Asby, meeting the Eden north of Appleby.

This 1km beat of double bank fishing meanders through a narrow floodplain corridor, between mature woodland on the right bank and two hazel copses on the left.

A popular haunt for red squirrels, so keep a watchful eye out for them moving across the beck from the copses to the woods.

Easy access, beautiful scenery and easy fishing….well easy casting anyway. The trout in here are easily spooked. And big fat fuzzy flies wont tempt them. Size 18 and less, small and dark and very sparsely tied flies should get good results.

Beat 15: Hilton Beck: Murton Hall

2 Tokens
Brown Trout

850m Double Bank Fishing & 250m Single Bank Fishing.

Plunging down from Scordale the Hilton Beck has suffered from severe flooding in recent years caused by cloud bursts over old mine works. We are working with The Environment Agency, MOD and English Nature to solve the excessive erosion caused by too much gravel in the river from the old spoil heaps. You cannot help but be impressed by some of the damage caused in this, one of the upper Eden’s most picturesque valleys.

Beat 18: Scandal Beck, Smardale Mill

2 Tokens
Brown Trout

1750m right bank fishing, 450m left bank fishing

This is a long section of the Scandal Beck, which starts below Smardale Mill and finishes at the Smardale viaduct. This river does not always have large amounts of cover so it is probably best fished when there is a bit of colour in the water or when the river is running higher than usual.

STOCKS: There should be some wild, easily spooked upland brownies in the river; make sure any catches are recorded on the catch return form.

USEFUL INFORMATION: Provisions can be found in the village of Kirkby Stephen where there are several bakeries, shops and pubs for you to choose from.