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The beat was made famous by A H Chaytor who fished it with great success at the beginning of the 20th century.
Chaytor's experiences here formed the basis for his salmon fishing classic, "Letters to a Salmon Fisher's Sons".
The beat is over two and a half miles of the main river. It is just over 3 miles upstream of Bywell and is very good salmon holding water. There is good fly water throughout, commencing with some excellent runs at the upstream, western limit. Spinning can also be worthwhile on some of the deeper slower stretches.
There is a well-appointed fishing hut at the car parking area next to the productive Widehaugh Pool and an outdoor picnic area with tables and BBQ .
With good quality water throughout the beat, there are excellent opportunities for the angler at varying water heights.
The beat is dissected into upper and lower halves by the Devil's Water where it flows into the main river.
The upper half of the beat, upstream from the Devil's Water to the western limit, fishes most consistently, but there are excellent opportunities at the lower half downstream from the Devil's Water to the bridge at Corbridge particularly in higher water.
The wading is good but anglers are advised to wear a life jacket and the use of a wading stick is essential.
CATCH & RELEASE IS NOW MANDATORY FOR SALMON
(Sea Trout may be kept)
The full beat, for up to 6 rods, is available to the visiting angler on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout the season.
The upper half (from the upstream western limit to Devil's Water Stream) will be available on Saturdays and will be restricted to 4 rods on that day.
Visiting rods will have exclusive access to the beat from 8.30 am until 5.30pm in the evening at which point they may be joined by members of Corbridge Anglers.
Ghillies/Guides can be booked by calling Jim Harvey, number included in confirmation email. These are local Ghillies with many years' experience of the beat. During September and October Dilston will meet rods on the beat from 8.30am to advise on the pools and tackle to use.
When using the Widehaugh railway crossing, anglers MUST follow the instructions on the signs provided by Network Rail.
From January 2022 there are miniature stop lights in place providing a visual and audible warning when a train is approaching. The system should be treated as a supplement to a crossing user’s own vigilance and is not a substitute for remaining alert at all times when on or about the level crossing. Its warnings are to be adhered to.
There is a very short period of time after the lights turn red that a train will approach – UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU START TO CROSS IF LIGHTS TURN RED and DO NOT proceed until the lights turn GREEN in case another train is approaching.
If any person/vehicle is likely to take more than 20 seconds to cross you MUST ring the signaller for clearance.
If NO LIGHT is showing, the equipment has developed a fault. Users MUST NOT use the crossing, but should USE TELEPHONE PROVIDED to contact the Signaller.
Top facilities
Hut
Please select dates to view availability for this location
Dilston Fishing's conditions
EA guidelines on catch and released to be observed
The Beat will now operate a mandatory catch & release policy for salmon. Exceptions to this are badly bleeding fish and a first ever fish caught by an angler.
Sea Trout may still be kept although this may also change if the current downward population trend continues to develop.
Single & double hooks may be used up to size 6. This applies equally to spinning lures as well as flies. Multi hook spinners must be altered to have only one hook with a maximum of two points. Trebles may not be used.
Anglers must have a modern knotless net and disgorging forceps with them when fishing. There will be a number of fishing nets in the fishing hut available to borrow if need be.
These are minimum requirements and anglers are encouraged to exceed them where possible.
Fishermen must record all fish caught (including fish returned) with the owners and within 48 hours of the date of fishing. Dilston Fishings beat accommodates six daily let rods, (four on Saturdays ) and tenants are responsible for ensuring that this number is not exceeded at any time.
Fishing commences at 8.30am. In addition members of Corbridge Anglers may also be fishing after 5.30pm in the evening.
Tenants are responsible for ensuring that they and their guests are familiar with the upper and lower limits of the Dilston Fishings and will at no time fish beyond those limits. There is a notice at the western upstream limit opposite the small island. The downstream eastern limit is the bridge at Corbridge. On Saturdays the fishing is restricted to the upper half of the beat from the western limit downstream to, and including the Devil's Water Stream.
Fishing is to be by fly or spinner only, although spinning is discouraged in periods of prolonged low water. There are some deep pools and slower sections which provide ideal spinning water.
Tenants and their guests must fish in a responsible and sportsmanlike manner at all times. However, tenants will sometimes find themselves held up by rods on the opposite bank. As the wading is very difficult in places on the North side of the river it is considered acceptable for our tenants to "fish through" slow rods on the opposite bank. Tenants are encouraged to fish down through the pools and runs and a step per cast is good practice.
Always start upstream of an angler fishing close to you, or if unsure, it's best to ask.
Sea trout may be taken from the 3rd April.
Salmon and sea trout parr, gravid fish and kelts must be returned.
All foul hooked fish must be returned to the river.
Rods may be shared, provided one person only fishes at a time.
Dogs may not accompany rods. Sheep are often on the riverbanks.
Tenants and their guests will cooperate in the prevention of poaching, and are requested to report immediately to the owner, or any police officer, any fishing by unauthorised persons.
Wading sticks must always be used. It is recommended that an A.B.S. approved floatation jacket (or similar) should be worn.
Car parking is available in designated car parking areas. The main parking areas are accessed over the railway crossing at Widehaugh just off the A695, either:-
Parking is also available in the public car park on the south side of the bridge at Corbridge. Access to the beat is suitable for a car though use of a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. 4x4 vehicles are permitted to drive to some pools but tenants must keep to the designated tracks well away from the side of the banks which are often undercut with rabbit burrows and have been loosened by recent floods. Do not park on sand. Some of it is deep and soft. Please take care when driving on the track through the tree nursery as depending on the weather it can get muddy and potholed.
A copy of the booking confirmation must be left and displayed in the windscreen in order to identify anglers' cars. A copy of the booking confirmation must be carried by each person fishing. Failure to observe this rule may result in anglers being asked to leave the fishings forthwith and monies paid will be forfeit.
All rods must obtain and carry a valid Environment Agency Licence. These may either be obtained from a Post Office or online (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subject/fish). All rods should observe the Country Code at all times; no fires shall be lit, no litter shall be left in or around the fishing huts or on river banks, and all gates must be closed immediately. Barbeques are welcome at the hut area.
Tenants and their guests will not permit any damage to fences, fields, crops, river banks or any other part of Dilston Fishings, and will make good and pay compensation for all such damage which they may so cause or permit.
All rods exercise their rights to fish entirely at their own risk, and acknowledge that neither Dilston Fishings, their servants, agents or employees will be liable for any loss or damage occasioned by or to the tenants or their guests or his/their property.
These rules may be changed or added to by the Estate at any time.
To book a Tuesday you must book before 23:00 PM on Monday
To book a Wednesday you must book before 23:00 PM on Tuesday
To book a Thursday you must book before 23:00 PM on Wednesday
To book a Friday you must book before 23:00 PM on Thursday
To book a Saturday you must book before 23:00 PM on Friday
To book a Sunday you must book before 23:00 PM on Saturday
Sunday fishing
Atlantic salmon
Wild trout
Sea trout