The Teign rises on the east flank of Dartmoor and runs through some of the most fishable wild trout water in Devon before turning into a wooded middle river and a slow tidal estuary at Teignmouth. The upper Teign around Castle Drogo, Fingle Bridge and Steps Bridge is the river's best feature — granite freestone water managed by the Upper Teign Fishing Association, with strong hatches from April onwards and the kind of pocket-water pools that reward a long careful walk. The middle and lower river around Chudleigh and Newton Abbot holds sea trout from mid-June and a small autumn salmon run. The Teign is a quicker-responding catchment than the Taw or Tamar; spates rise and fall fast off the granite, and the upper river fishes well in the dropping water rather than at peak. Atlantic salmon are assessed by the Environment Agency against each river's Conservation Limit — many principal rivers are classed 'at risk' with mandatory catch-and-release byelaws; check current rules before fishing.

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