Fly Fishing: The River Eden

Mar 15, 2024

At 80 miles long, the River Eden is one of England’s finest examples of a limestone and sandstone river. Its tributaries include the Eamont, Petterill, Caldew and the Irthing. As well as rivers, there are two lakes, Haweswater and Ullswater.

Salmon

The Eden gets a good run of Salmon throughout (water dependent) but the best months to fish are usually May and September. The season runs from 15^th January to 14^th
Rod size is generally between a 12ft in lower conditions and a 15ft rod. We find a 14ft rod covers nearly everything needed on the Eden
Reel Size generally a 9/10 reel covers all applications
Shooting heads work well on the Eden as it can be fairly wide in places
Flies generally depend on water height but range from size 8 to size 12. Cascades and Willie Gunns are very popular patterns, turning to Red patterns towards the end of the season
15lb Nylon is generally the go to size

Beats

Warwick Hall Beat is the most productive stretch of water on this beautiful English river with a good chance of catching salmon, brown trout or grayling. Contact Graham Moffatt at 07985933130
Armathwaite is a fantastic beat on the middle Eden– Contact Phillip-07776373067
The Eden Lacy fishery comprises 1.8 miles of the left bank. It is one of the most attractive beats on the river consisting of 15 named pools with a fishing hut set amongst a wooded and wildflower area opposite the renowned Lacy’s Caves
Lazonby Estates
Carlisle Angling Association controls approximately 7 miles of mainly double bank fishing on the River Eden. Anglers from outside the five-mile limit are welcomed and permits are available for game and coarse angling on a daily, weekly and seasonal basis. Available on their website or in the tourist information in Carlisle

Trout

For most trout fishing a 9ft 5 weight rod is perfect. When nymphing a 10’ #3 might be more suitable for higher line control
Reels aren’t super reliant on drag when trout fishing, a decent amount of backing (70-100yds) is always handy
Tippet up to around 4lb is recommended, there are some specimen trout in the Eden system with fish up to 6lb being caught each year

Beats

Eden Lacy: Available via Fishpal
Appleby Anglers: Day tickets available online
Kirkby Stephen Anglers: Day tickets available online
Penrith Anglers: No day tickets are available however for membership enquiries see their website. Most of the Eamont is also controlled by Penrith Anglers

Guides

Mike Tinnion, River Edge Guiding: For beginner taster sessions to experienced angler's “tips and tricks” days and everything in between. Mike is a Level 2 Angling Trust licensed coach and Guideline Ambassador/Pro Team member. Past Home International Rivers Champion and England Stillwater Champion, Mike has fished for England at Home, European and World Championship levels, as well as having previously managed the England Rivers Flyfishing team. Tel- 07990727427
Geoff Johnston, Eden Angler: Guided Fly Fishing Services and Tuition on the River Eden system and also caters for guided boat or bank fishing trips and lessons on Ullswater and Haweswater. Tel- 07957256051
Jim Curry: Guideline’s UK Sales Agent and renowned AAPGAI master instructor-07973291367.
Glyn Freeman - 07808 563 788
Clive Mitchelhill - 07752195082

Accommodation

Edenhall Estate: Fantastic choice of self-catering accommodation- 01768 881430
Warwick Hall: Country house near Carlisle, overlooking the Eden with its own fishing
The George and Dragon: A stylish country inn offering ensuite accommodation on the edge of Cumbria's Lake District with a restaurant and bar
Tufton Arms: The Tufton Arms Hotel is a small, intimate, luxury hotel in the Eden Valley, situated in the centre of the historic, medieval town of Appleby-in-Westmorland. Tel 017683 51593 or see their website.