Freestone · Limestone · Masham / Lower Wensleydale

River Burn

River Burn venue image
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Small intimate river near Masham with the private, wild feel that makes Yorkshire fishing special.

Species

A side-water session, not the main event

Low and clear — careful approach country. Long leader, small flies, slower casts.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
7°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature5528% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity3912% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
7.4°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
9°C
Wind
SW 20 km/h
Moderate breeze
Pressure
1004 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
1.1 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (39).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Directions
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About this water

Small intimate river near Masham with the private, wild feel that makes Yorkshire fishing special. Runs, holes, and pools with overhanging cover where stealth is paramount. Dry fly and spiders are equally at home; the Burn's scale suits both. The Hare's Lug (hare's ear soft hackle) tradition is strong here — a distinctively Yorkshire pattern that blurs spider and nymph. The Burn joins the Ure just south of Masham, so this entry should pin the Masham / lower Burn area rather than the North York Moors. Overhanging trees demand accurate short casts and roll-casting. Syndicate and estate-managed access (Fly Fishing Yorkshire syndicate, Swinton Estate). A river for anglers who value intimacy over size.

  • Limestone
Seasons & zones
  • Trout22 March → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts