The Bridge Inn Grinton - Fly Fishing the River Swale

I love reading old fly fishing books, tales of gentleman taking lodgings in famous fishing hotels on the banks of famous rivers, the images of the old smoking rooms adorned with monster trout in cases. After getting myself in the mood by reading "Come Shooting and Fishing" by Major Vivian Bailey, I spent the weekend in the Yorkshire Dales at the Bridge Inn at Grinton, more of a pub than a hotel but it is located on the banks of the beautiful river Swale. Grinton is a small hamlet a few miles from the village of Reeth. The Pub is decorated with fishing pictures and old rods and there is a good library of books and magazines as well. As a foot note to the great fishing on offer the food and local beer is second to none.

I don't think I have ever received a warmer welcome at a pub, all the staff are fantastic and treat you like an old friend. You can buy day tickets for Reeth and District Angling Club waters from behind the bar at a cost of £7.50. You can fly fish, spin or fish with an upstream worm. The Landlord of the pub Andrew is very friendly and fishes the river himself, he will happily give you advice on flies that have been catching or pools that are worth a try.

I fished the Bridge pool and some of the pools further downstream, and had three lovely Brown Trout all on Black Pennel. I also had some rises to a black Klinkhammer but missed them all! This is a beautiful area of the world and deserves a visit regardless of whether you are fishing or not. However if you can spare the time, visit the Bridge Inn have pint of Cumberland, a good meal and then catch the evening rise on the river!

Useful Links: The Bridge Inn Website