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.
