The River Eden
A brief insight into the River Eden
A Beautiful Place to be
The river Eden can be a very productive river and is home to a myriad of fish, indigenous fish such as the Brown Trout Grayling and Chubb, (which can also be caught on the fly) and anadromous fish species such as Salmon, Sea Trout, and even Sea Lampreys.
Like most water courses, the Eden is also home to that well known catadramous species the Eel, but our target species on the fly are those game fish we have come to know so well, i.e., Salmon , Sea Trout , Brown Trout and Grayling, which because of their differing close seasons allows us to fish for at least one of those species (at differing times) all year round, meaning, we don’t have to pack away our fly rod at all if we don’t want to.
With the river rising high in the hills near Mallerstang Common close to the North Yorkshire border, and flowing North Westerly for 90 miles from source to sea, eventually opening out into the Solway Firth, there are plenty of opportunities to hone your skills against your preferred quarry, and increase your success rate.
The large numbers of returning migratory fish are testament to the cleanliness of the river and it’s excellent spawning grounds, and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) it also has (SSSI) status; Site of Special Scientific Interest over most of it’s course.
Spring runs of Salmon are not as prolific as they once were, but still provide some great sport, especially around May and June time, along with some good runs of Grilse, given good water heights, and the river does throw up some very large fish from time to time. Sea trout can appear anytime between May and July, with the earlier fish tending to be larger.
Some Fishing Advice
Tackle: For Salmon on the fly, a 13ft 8/9#, a 14ft 9/10#, or a 15ft 10/11# rod, can all be useful in different areas of the river, but a good compromise would be a 14ft 9# rod, which will cover most situations on the main Salmon fishing beats, in addition to this a WF floating line to match the above rating, with a set of tips covering several different sink rates will allow you to fish a variety of depths, flows and water levels.
Tackle: For Sea trout, a 9ft 6″ 7/8# will suffice for both day and night fishing, with a WF floating line, tips can be used, with intermediate or medium sink tips being most effective, especially at night when these fish are in attendance.
Brown trout fishing is generally good throughout the season from March 15th onward with some good quality fish taken regularly around April / May, although these fish are in attendance throughout the season and will take a well presented fly.
Grayling are just magnificent creatures and can come to the fly consistently throughout their season, i.e., from June 16th to March 14th, extending your fly fishing season throughout the winter months.
Tackle: A 9ft rod for a 5# or 6# WF floating line is a good compromise to cover most situations for both Brown trout and Grayling fishing, for either dry fly, wet fly, or nymphing techniques. However, you may wish to use a longer, or even a lighter rated rod for nymphing techniques, or when you have high banks behind you. This may save you a few fly’s.
As a general guide, warmer temperatures smaller flies, (e.g. summer) and colder temperatures larger flies, (e.g. early and very late season) although this is not set in stone, and it’s worth ringing the changes if the fishing is slow.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Your chance to get some answers before you arrive
Q: What clothing will I need to bring with me?
A: Throughout the Salmon & Trout season, warm fishing clothes will generally suffice, eye protection, i.e., (glasses / sun glasses, or both) a peaked hat will often keep the sun out of your eyes, waders and wading boots, if river fishing, (breathable waders work well) and a wading jacket (or waterproof coat). Wellingtons, or walking boots will work for Stillwater days as wading is generally not a requirement. For winter Grayling fishing, neoprene waders work best, but if you do not have these, you can use thermal underwear under your breathable waders, (layering works well) and a woolly hat will keep you warm.
Q: What equipment will I need to bring with me?
A: This is dependant on what type of fishing you would like to do. Here are some options to compliment the Fishing Advice section above:
Salmon – This can be personal choice, but my recommendation would be a 14ft rod for a 9wt line (with appropriate reel). This will cover most situations. In addition to this, a small selection of Salmon flies, some polyleaders, (a selection of sink rates) and some leader material from 10lb -15lb for different scenarios. Multi-tip lines can also be useful.
Sea Trout – A 9ft 6in rod for a 7/8# floating line (with appropriate reel) will suffice, although if you only have 10ft rods then that will do fine. A weight forward line can be an advantage where distance is required, (and for Spey casting) and again a variety of polyleaders can be useful, although intermediate and medium sink lines can work well at certain times throughout the day or night. A selection of Sea Trout flies and some leader material 8lb -10lb.
Brown Trout – A 9ft rod (with appropriate reel) for a 5/6wt floating line will cover most situations on the river for dry fly, wet fly, and nymphs, you can bring poly leaders if you wish, but most of the time they are not required. Your preferred leader material, or tapered leaders, if you would rather buy them, and tippet material. It is always handy to have floatant for your dry flies and sinkant for your leader material, when required. If dry fly fishing only you may want to bring a lighter outfit with you for some good fun.
Grayling – Tactics for Grayling can be very similar to trout fishing and all of the above trout tackle will suffice, but where fish are not surface feeding, which is often the case with winter Grayling, Czech Nymphing, or High Sticking, (slightly different technique) can be adopted, and although you can do this with the tackle shown above, a longer rod can often be an advantage. Finally a selection of flies for both Brown Trout and Grayling.
Q: Do I really need to bring sunglasses, and should I bring sun cream?
A: Eye protection is essential when fly fishing, as a freak gust of wind, or a stray cast, can project the fly straight into your face, causing irreparable damage. A pair of sunglasses with polarised lenses will not only diffuse the glare of the sun, allowing you to see into the water, (a distinct advantage when targeting fish) but will also protect your eyes from the fly. However, a pair of glasses with clear lenses can also be useful on very dull days, or in the hours of darkness when fishing for Sea trout. A variety of lens colours can also help in different light levels throughout the day.
Sun cream can be a welcome addition to your armoury too, for obvious reasons, and although we don’t get bothered a great deal by midges, they do creep up on us from time to time, so midge repellent is definitely worth considering.
Q: Do I need an Environment Agency Rod Licence?
A: Anyone in possession of a rod and line, intending to fish with them must be in possession of an Environment Agency rod licence for their target species. Rod Licences are required by Law in England and Wales and can be purchased from most Post Offices, or online via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences.
Additional Rod Licence Information:
Free Junior Licences can be applied for under 16’s
You can get a 12-month disabled licence if one of the following applies:
- you have a Blue Badge
- you get Personal Independence Payment (any rate)
- you get Disability Living Allowance
Give your Blue Badge or National Insurance number (or child reference number if you’re under 16) when you apply.
Q: Can I spin for Salmon during my trip?
A: No, all trips and tuition sessions arranged by Border Game Angling are fly Fishing Only.
Q: Should I bring spare equipment?
A: You can bring spare equipment with you if you wish just in case of any mishaps, but I will have equipment for you to use should the unthinkable happen and you need to replace something.
Q: What if I want to book a fishing holiday, but don’t have any equipment?
A: This is not a problem as equipment can be supplied e.g. rods, reels, lines, flies, etc. at a small additional charge of £10 pp per session: Border Game Angling do not supply waders.
I hope this has answered some of your questions, but if you have any further queries, simply drop me an email and I will be happy to help with your concerns: Contact
Additional River Eden Information:
We are located here on the map.
Click Here for a map of the river Eden and it’s Tributaries.
