Spate · Limestone · Swaledale / North Yorkshire

River Swale

River Swale venue image
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Muscular spate river with power and temperament — strong current, broken water, boulder-strewn runs where spiders excel.

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
  • Temperature4228% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity3412% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
6.5°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
6°C
Wind
SW 19 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1004 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
3.8 mm
Light 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
Olives April into May; Mayfly late May where it holds; sedges through summer; small dark flies into October. Spate-driven — fish the drop after rain.
Where
Pool tails and riffle heads through the upper dale; below Richmond the Swale flattens into longer glides. Pocket water is key on the upper river.
Method
Upstream dry to risers when olives or sedges are off; North Country spider on the swing in cooler water — Snipe and Purple, Partridge and Orange, Waterhen Bloa. Move upstream slowly, fish each lie properly.
Kit
9 ft #4 — Yorkshire freestone default. Floating line, 9 to 12 ft leader to 4 to 5 lb fluoro. Studded boots for slick stones.
Why this works
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (34).
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
Grayling seasonSeason
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
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.

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

Muscular spate river with power and temperament — strong current, broken water, boulder-strewn runs where spiders excel. Cover-water fishing at its best: every seam, neck, and eddy holds a fish. The turbulent water gives fish seconds to decide; a Snipe & Purple fished tight in the broken seams produces immediate takes. Strong wading skills essential — the Swale's current demands respect. Excellent grayling in winter. Club-based (Richmond & District) with day permits available. A river for practicing watercraft and reading current.

  • Limestone
Seasons & zones
  • Trout22 March → 30 September
  • Grayling16 June → 14 March
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts