Spate · Sandstone · North York Moors / Whitby

River Esk (North Yorkshire Moors)

River Esk (North Yorkshire Moors) terrain map
Terrain map

Moorland spate river where you might catch a trout on a Snipe & Purple in the morning and a sea trout at dusk — versatility is the game.

Species

Decent — worth a look

Low and clear — careful approach country. Low water tactics — small singles, riffling hitch in the smooth glides.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for sea trout
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 8–15°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for sea trout
  • Temperature5428% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity8518% weight
  • Feeding Time5513% weight
  • Pressure857% weight
  • Prey Activity3312% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
6.3°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
9°C
Wind
SW 17 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1004 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
1.6 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 sea trout
When
Night fishing from full dark when water rises above 13°C. June through September. The Esk's sea trout run hard in late summer — settled overcast nights are classic.
Where
Lower Esk pool tails and glides below Egton. Walk the water in daylight before fishing it at night — the river is small and lies are obvious.
Method
Across-and-down on a floating line with small wets — Medicine, Teal Blue and Silver. The Esk's small scale rewards short casts and careful approach.
Kit
9 to 10 ft #6, floating line, 8 lb fluoro. Spare leader on a wrist spool.
Why this works
Good conditions. Clarity is favourable (85), Prey activity is weakest (33). ⏰ Sea trout become most active after dark, but this stretch closes at 20:50 — before that window fully opens. Fish hard in the last legal hour: overcast skies and warm evenings can bring fish on early even in fading light.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

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

Directions
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About this water

Moorland spate river where you might catch a trout on a Snipe & Purple in the morning and a sea trout at dusk — versatility is the game. Fast response (4 hours) and broken water suit darker flies and bolder presentation than chalk streams. The water often carries peat stain after rain — fish darker spiders and bigger wets when conditions darken. Salmon and sea trout run April–October; brown trout throughout. Flexible access via local ticketing (Danby, Egton Bridge, Ruswarp) — contact ahead for best options.

  • Sandstone
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 March → 31 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026)

Salmon: Negligible (2026) — EA 2024 Salmon Stocks Assessment classifies this river 'at risk' — egg deposition below Conservation Limit. Conservation priority; not a salmon fishing destination.

Other water nearby · 4
Booking & contacts