The Yorkshire Esk is a typical spate river with strong runs of Salmon and Sea Trout from May/June onwards, subject to rises in water levels. It is a truly intimate river and fish are easily spooked. Fishing this river requires stealth.
The river goes dead at dark but the last hour before dark can be magical.
The river can take approximately one or two days to run off, during which time, these are the optimum conditions.
Stealth is key to being successful on the Yorkshire Esk at low water and fish can be easily spooked. Catching these beautiful blue silver, sea run fresh fish in June is down to luck because water is needed! Catching fish at low water is very much possible and is down to tiny flies and stealth. 6lb to 10b breaking strain is advised in order to prevent splash and disturbance on the water at low water but at the same time, giving the fishermen the confidence that he will not be broken, providing he or she is gentle when the fish is running and pulling line. 10lb to 12lb is recommended at high water levels.
When the water is running off, larger fly patterns to a size 8 to 10 using silvers, golds and orange, red and blue patterns can be relied upon. When water conditions are lower, fish can take small flies to a size 14 teal blue and silver, silver stoats tail and more traditional dry fly patterns used on the surface to stir the fish lying in the runs and tails of pools.
Please note - sturdy footwear is recommended and wading isn’t recommended or even necessary. Please note that the river banks are subject to natural summer growth, and in the June/July months the vegetation will be at its highest point. Please take extra care when approaching the river bank for access in and out of the water.
Access is marked on the plan/map, which will be emailed with your booking confirmation email. This Map marked clearly on it, the brown track, known locally as the Toll arias, including parking spots and ingress and egress to the water by field gates onto the road.
Spinning is successful on the Yorkshire Esk and in low water, No 1 or No 2 Mepps is recommended, with small flying Cs with one set of treble hooks permitted only. In higher water, no 3 Mepp LONG is suggested.
Worm, shrimp and prawn are not permitted on Egton Estate fishery.
The Wheatsheaf Inn at Egton provides an excellent pint of local beer and a sandwich though fishermen may bring their own and take it away with them afterwards. The Horseshoe Hotel is also excellent. Whitby is 10 minutes drive away, boasting tremendous history and the North Yorkshire Moors, important for its Heather habitat and ground nesting birds is on the doorstep.
