Angling

Photo of River Swale from Downholme Bridge
River Swale from Downholme Bridge

The River Swale forms the southern boundary of the current Parish of Marske.  Angling takes place on the river upstream from Richmond as far as Downholme Bridge (sometimes confusingly called Marske Bridge) and Oxque Gill.  The fishing rights are leased by the Richmond and District Angling Society.  Trout are fly-fished between late March and the end of September, and anglers are allowed to keep one fish per day. 

The history of the Richmond and District Angling Society is recorded in a pamphlet1 in the Richmondshire Museum – together with a display of trophies.  What follows here is largely based on that pamphlet (also available on the Society’s website). 

The Society was formed in 1912, and slowly acquired leases to fish, initially along the Swale downstream of Richmond towards Catterick.  In the early days the Society also held frequent trips further afield.  One of these trips in 1916 ventured to Marske Beck.  As there was no pub in the village the party cycled over the old road from Richmond laden with bottles of beer and whisky as well as their fishing tackle.  On arrival the booty slipped and fell into the Beck, with only a single bottle recovered.  However, the sporting ethos ran high and all agreed to fish upstream of the accident so as to avoid inebriated trout!  The success of the fishing that day is not recorded.

Richmond Angling Society sign

The Society now, as in the past, has actively stocked the Swale with Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.  For example in 1916 500 Brown Trout were brought by train to Richmond for carriage by horse drawn carriage to the river.  The Society in wishing to conserve fish stocks supported the North Yorks Otter Hounds pack.  Otter Hunting took place regularly took place from Downholme Bridge until at least the 1950s2.  Otter hunting ceased in the 1970s3. 

Stock photo of rainbow trout
Rainbow Trout (Free image from Pixabay)

In 1941 the Society expanded in its fishing rights upstream from Richmond to Marske when it acquired a lease at £20 per year to fish in the Swale in the Marske Estate.  The lease stipulated that only fly-fishing was allowed.  The war years saw an increase in fishing generally on the Swale, and this may have prompted the expansion of rights upstream.  The number of military personnel in the Catterick and Richmond area during the war may also have boosted the popularity of angling locally.

The extension of the Society’s fishing rights upstream to Marske caused the Society’s full-time water bailiff to spend more time travelling.  Water bailiffs are the unsung heroes of the angling fraternity – they help maintain access for anglers (e.g. stiles) and apprehend poachers.  At Marske an informal arrangement was also put in place from 1941 with Mr Beattie, a gamekeeper for the Marske Estate who lived at Clints4.  Mr Beattie had been born into a family of gamekeepers at Corbridge on the River Tyne, so perhaps this role on the Swale reminded him of that?  The arrangement was rewarded through provision of a “Christmas Gift” to Mr Beattie from the Society.  By 1958, just before the Estate was sold, this arrangement was formalised.  It is likely Mr Beattie had retired by this point, as he died back in Northumberland in 1962. 

Annual and Day permits for fishing on the Swale today can be purchased via the Richmondshire and District Angling website. Different rates for locals and the army no longer apply5! The river is known as one of the fastest flowing rivers in Britain; and is known to be fast emptying after high waters. The flies used included Northern Spiders, Hare’s Ears and Roberts’ Supapupa5. The small wary wild trout require a stealthy approach according to an article in a trout and salmon magazine. Stay safe and tight lines5!

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  1. Alexander, G. Richmond and District Angling Society – A History.  2004.  Private publication in Richmondshire Museum and on Richmond and District Angling Society website.[↩]
  2. Yorkshire Post. 8 August 1952. Notice listed under “Today’s Events” relating to otter hunt from Downholme Bridge. Viewed at The British Newspaper Archive (BNA website).[↩]
  3. Allen, D., Watkins, C., & Matless, D.. ‘An incredibly vile sport’: Campaigns against Otter Hunting in Britain, 1900–39. 2016. Rural History, 27(1), p79-101.[↩]
  4. Ancestry.com (website). Information on Henry M Beattie from census, parish records and General Registry Office. Subscription website – accessed 2023.[↩]
  5. Richmond and District Angling Society website. Accessed 2023.[↩][↩][↩]