Free Fishing on the Esk

Much of the River Esk is under the control of local angling clubs or the Egton Estate, but fishing for free is available to the public on the Esk River at several points along its length.

The spot closest to Rosella Cottage here in Rosedale is to be found at the pretty Eskdale village of Lealholm.

The free fishing here stretches from the Stepping Stones, through the main pool next to the Board Inn to roughly quarter of a mile downstream of the road bridge.

Most anglers tend to focus on the large deep pool in the centre of Lealholm.

But the fish in the pool have a reputation amongst Esk anglers for being difficult to catch as they hide in the tree roots from the dogs and families paddling or swimming in the pool in summer.

Night time fly fishing offers the best chance to catch a fish but the street lights in the village will also hinder your chances.

But at least its free - right?

Moving downstream with the flow of the Esk, the next spot for free fishing is Rakes Common at Glaisdale.

With a falling spate, this spot can see good salmon and sea trout fishing with plenty of room to fish.

But if you're using spinners, be prepared to lose a good few because there are many tree roots under the banks.

Fly fishers have lots of little runs and pools here and nice sized brown trout can be taken with a dry fly cast over the top of the entangling tree roots.

The popular free stretch at Limber Hill is about a mile further down stream from Rakes Common.

It can also be a productive spot using spinner during a late season falling spate.

The next available free stretch is at Sleights.

You can fish here from the footbridge upstream to below the fish pass.

Spinning during a spate is the most popular method here also.

Ruswarp is the next spot for "free" fishing but permits costing £2 must be purchased first from Ruswarp Pleasure Boats - so it's not quite free!

The freshwater fishing on Esk ends at Ruswarp above the tidal wier.

All in all it is a taxing but delightful little river which can get under your skin.

You might just find yourself going back time after time.