The River Barle, directly upstream of Tarr Steps in Exmoor National Park, offers some of the most picturesque and rewarding fly fishing in Somerset. This stretch of river winds through a steep-sided, wooded valley with crystal-clear waters flowing over gravel beds and occasional deeper pools—ideal habitat for wild Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon.
Access is generally good, with footpaths running alongside much of the river, but the terrain can be rugged in places, adding to the sense of wildness and seclusion. As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the area is rich in wildlife, so anglers often share their experience with sightings of dippers, kingfishers, and even red deer.
This section, new to FishPal is a kilometre long and perfect for 2 fisherman to explore for the day. The beat includes the most productive pool for Salmon on the entire river. The trout fishing can be prolific too and it isn't uncommon to get hold of big fish!
Why you need to fish here
The River Barle is SSSI and this beat is within a National Nature Reserve. It offers prime fishing in stunning scenery. Trout fishing for autochton brown trout can always be great fun while salmon fishing can be thrilling from mid August onwards when the river has had some good spates.
