The River Wharfe is a wonderful sight whatever the weather. The name Wharfe is Celtic and means ‘twisting, winding’. It rises near Beckermonds, in Langstrothdale, at the head of Wharfedale and flows some 60 miles through the the wonderful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales to meet the Yorkshire Ouse at Cawood. For much of its length it forms the county boundary between West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.

The stretch through Grassington is beautiful and varied as it winds its way down under the bridge, which carries the B6265 over the River Wharfe between Grassington and Threshfield. The bridge itself has an interesting history with one of its most notable claims to fame being it was the place where the murderer Tom Lee was hanged in the 19th century.

As well as enjoying the river’s beauty and power, fishing is proving ever popular, particularly fly fishing. Generally the preferred methods on the Wharfe are upstream dry fly fishing as well as upstream and downstream wet fly and nymph fishing. Fishing permits can be purchased from Grassington Post Office for £20 per day and £3.85 per day (£10 for 8 days) for a Rod Licence. There are said to be large stocks of wild brown trout in the Wharfe and it would be hard to find a better river in the country for fly fishing. Apparently a 4lb+ Brownie is caught nearly every year on fly with the best being 10lb+!!. But The Yorkshire Dales River Trust is not complacent and plans to make substantial enhancements to the river over the next few years. These include pollution control and easing erosion.

So come and enjoy fishing in the Wharfe and see if you can beat 10lbs. The challenge is set…..

By Cathy Parry

Cathy Parry is the owner of two holiday cottages set alongside the picturesque River Wharfe. You can view them on her website www.riversidegrassington.co.uk and connect via Facebook www.facebook.com/RiversideGrassington.

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