Appleby Angling Association controls approximately 20 miles of fishing on the Rivers Eden and Lyvennet. In addition, by the use of exchange tickets with neighbouring clubs, members have extensive access to excellent fishing on the River Eden and other rivers in Cumbria. Note that exchange tickets from clubs can be added/withdrawn at any time.
The quality of the wild brown trout and grayling fishing on Appleby Angling Association waters is unsurpassed in England. While a two pound trout is a good specimen, three pound plus fish are caught every year, with occasional four pounders. The grayling fishing is outstanding and in recent years the Appleby waters have been the most consistent in the entire system for very large specimens of this species, between two and three pounds in weight, with several fish above this size.
Appleby AA waters on the River Eden are widely considered to be perfect in terms of scale for the healthy populations of trout and grayling. Nymph and dry fly fishing provide the best of the sport through the spring, summer and autumn months, while the nymph is supreme for winter grayling. Members thus enjoy year-round fishing on a world class, environmentally protected river. To help preserve and maintain our stocks we recommend, barbless hooks with catch and release for the safe return of healthy fish.
Appleby Angling Association was established over 70 years ago and is centred on the historic market town of Appleby-In-Westmorland.
All Appleby AA fishing is on the River Eden amid stunning Cumbrian scenery. With the range of water types available in the Appleby waters, there is the opportunity for all fly fishing methods to be practised, including Czech nymph in winter and spider fishing in the riffles through much of the year. Lure or streamer fishing is seldom practised and has not been noted as effective in this region of the river. Worm fishing is allowed at certain times of year in certain areas. General upstream nymph and in particular dry fly, however, tend to be the most consistent methods.
The whole of the River Eden and its tributaries is designated a European Special Area of Conservation and a SSSI, reflecting the diversity of wildlife and flora found by and in the river and its many tributaries. The whole range of wild trout habitats are found in this special river system, from fast flowing, thin upland waters through riffles and pockets on the higher feeder becks from the slopes of the Pennines, Howgills and Lakeland fells, and down into the broad Eden valley. As the waters slow they retain a character which is ideal for the strong populations of wild trout and grayling, and the invertebrates on which they feed.
The Eden Rivers Trust, along with other conservation-orientated groups, including Natural England and Cumbria Wildlife Trust, are very active throughout the Eden system, repairing the agricultural damage that has been done over (mostly) the last 20 years, with the aim of restoring the river to the pristine set of habitats for which it is justifiably famous.
There remain very many stretches of main river and tributary which are outstanding in the European context as healthy habitats for wild trout and the many temperate zone plant and animal species for which the area has historically been so rich. We are very fortunate that the Appleby waters hold a lot of such habitat.
The river collects from numerous substrates over an enormous water catchment, on the English scale, dominated by sandstone and limestone. The resulting slightly alkaline pH, among the variety of river habitats, results in a diverse invertebrate populations which are currently probably the most healthy. In May and June, anglers can count upwards of eight different ephemerid species hatching simultaneously, along with numerous caddis and midge species. Gammarus shrimps are a constant food source for the trout and grayling, throughout the year.
Maps of association waters are issued with permits from the ticket secretary.
All dates inclusive
Trout and grayling fishing seasons combine to permit fishing all year round on association waters.
All dates inclusive
For all permit prices, including membership, guest and day tickets please see Permits page.
Visitor tickets are available for all Appleby Association waters, with the exception of the River Lyvennet and the Great Ormside stretch of the River Eden which are members only waters. Tickets are only available to buy online.
Note: To comply with public liability regulations all persons purchasing day tickets from any source are granted temporary membership of Appleby Angling Association for the duration of the permit.
All anglers fishing Appleby AA waters must abide by the association regulations.
Bolton Willows is a joint water shared with Penrith AA, it’s approximately 2.5km long. Parking is available at the Bolton bridge and Ousenstand bridge. Please note, at Ousenstand bridge you need to walk upstream through the first field left bank until you see the first Appleby AA sign. The fishing prior to this sign is private water. Bolton water consists of a variety of fast water some long stretches of slower glides and large deep pools, so it covers most types of fly fishing methods. It has always been excellent water for grayling as well as trout and evening fishing can be productive if a good hatch starts.
This beat is also accessible from P6 see information on the sewage works description. After parking at the cattle grid you can fish downstream for approx 1km. The beat terminates at Colby Beck where it joins the Eden on the left, do NOT go beyond this point as it is strictly private and belongs to Yorkshire Fly. Heavily wooded for most of its course with a mixed amount of fast and slow water, the bottom of the beat has some excellent runs.
Holme Farm water runs from the metal Bailey bridge in Appleby downstream to the sewage works. Interesting water, consisting of wide fast runs and long slow pools, easy casting as most of the river on our bank is tree less. Because of this some extra stealth is required in order not to spook fish. At the tail end of this stretch is a very large deep pool just above the island. Please ensure all gates are closed when passing through the farm and keep to the riverside path.
The sewage stretch starts just below the island at Holme Farm and runs down to the cattle grid below, it is easier to access this water from P6 on the maps. There is parking at the bottom by the cattle grid. You must have a key available from Pigneys the ticket secretary to be able to drive down to the car park, otherwise please park in the lay-by at the top which runs parallel to the A66. If you don’t have a key you may get locked in by United Utilities who control the road and access, you have been warned! Some good fishing upstream a very long slow glide leads into some nice fast water, plenty of tree cover and often produces some great evening hatches.
Parking at Jubilee bridge below the weir, this stretch runs for approximately 0.5km upstream right bank only. A very slow deep stretch of water, tree lined banks make casting awkward, but some good fish present including a few large Chub.
Please note this is a members only water (plus 1 guest). There are no visitor or exchange tickets. All fishing on this water is fly only. This long stretch of water runs from Appleby Weir right up the lower Sandford beat. Most of this is double bank with the odd exclusions as shown on the map. Please make sure you comply with these and close any gates. This ia a lovely stretch consisting of fast runs, slower stretches and deep pools, a great variation throughout to suit all anglers needs.
On arriving in Great Ormside you will see a large stone monument built around a tree. Parking is on the grass verge adjacent to the tree. Please do not cause any obstructions to gates or farm entrances. Once parked, walk approx. 100yds through Ormside Hall gates with stone balls on top. Follow the lane until you come to A.A.A. sign. If you intend to go down stream, go down the field to the left of the A.A.A. sign, then over the stile leading to the lower river. It is both banks along all this stretch down stream as far as Clint Dub (a large red sandstone bluff on the right hand bank). Please be careful when crossing as heavy rain or thunderstorm can lift the river levels rapidly.
The Sandford stretch consists of two long beats above and below Blacksyke bridge where the Appleby car park is. Above the bridge is approx 1.5km of intimate water, the Eden up here is quite narrow in places compared to lower stretches. Always highly sought after for its grayling fishing, many of which are over 2lbs and up to 3.5lbs. It consists of some lovely fast runs ideal for spider fishing and upstream nymphing, as well as longer slower glides. This beat goes right up to Warcop Bridge the last few hundred yards are shared water with KSDAA, after the bridge the water belongs to KSDAA. The stretch from Blacksyke bridge downstream is approx 2km long, and ends at Far Bank End where a small stream comes in on the right. This beat has produced some very large trout to 5lbs plus over the years. Again it’s nice mixed water with a good variety of runs.
This lovely stretch of the Lyvennet is just over 1.5 miles. It contains pure wild brown trout and is in an idyllic setting. This small spate river can be very low during the summer months, fish are quite spooky as the water is gin clear and you need to employ your best stalking skills when fishing. This is a members only water with no day tickets, no guest tickets and no exchange tickets. Please note, tickets are NOT available online.
