Wild Trout Fishing
Click on one of the headings below to go directly to the relevant section on this page:
The Wild Trout Trust is not a fishing organisation but a charity that is concerned with conservation of wild trout and their habitat. Many of our supporters are trout anglers, and many of the people we advise and give practical help are involved with fishing. Our experience is that enlightened fishermen are amongst the very best conservationists. They love the 
whole experience of being out in a river or on a lake and appreciate all wildlife and its place in a balanced ecosystem. They are very often the first people to spot a problem, whether that is a pollution incident or invasive species, and care enough to get involved and get the problem fixed.
Wild trout fishing is an aspiration for many fishermen. It is sometimes perceived as being exclusive, expensive, hard to access and difficult. It can be all of these things, but very often is not.
What follows is intended to point you in the right direction based on our experience.
The WTT staff (with one exception), trustees, executive committee are all wild trout fishermen. The photo below is of trustee Simon Johnson endeavouring to land a wild trout on the River Eden in Cumbria.
Most wild trout fishing which is affordable and easily available by day tickets is in the north and west of the UK.There is wild trout fishing in the south east, although many of the rivers that have habitat suitable for trout are stocked with farmed fish to cope with angling pressure, and are controlled by clubs and syndicates. It takes a little determination, research and asking around to find affordable, accessible wild trout fishing in the south east, but it does exist!
A good place to start is our annual auction on eBay which features 200+ lots, many of which are affordable days of wild trout fishing across the UK and Ireland. Buying a lot in the auction will not only get you a day of fishing, but you will often be accompanied by someone who will guide you, or share his knowledge of the river with you. Looking through the catalogue will also give you an idea of where to fish.
The ‘passport’ schemes are very affordable and give access to a huge amount of wild trout fishing. You simply buy a book of vouchers, look up the details of the beats on the website, and take yourself off to the river, posting the required number of vouchers in the box with your catch return. There are passport schemes across England and Wales. This website: www.wildtroutfishing.co.uk gives access to all the passport schemes including:
- The West Country Angling Passport
- Tyne Angling Passport
- Wye & Usk Passport
- Wild in Eden Passport
- Peak Passport
- Ribble Passport
- Severn Passport
The EA has an online fisheries directory which can be accessed by clicking here and includes PDF guides on fishing, including trout & game fishing, venues around England.
The Association of Salmon FIsheries Boards has created a website highlighting accessible and affordable fisheries for both salmon & sea trout around Scotland. Click here to be redirected to the ASFB fishery map.
In Trout and Salmon magazine, read Jon Beer’s articles - they generally describe his trips to cheap or free wild trout fishing. He has published a book of his articles called 'Not All Beer and Bezencenet' , price £20 available from Riverside Stuff.
Paul Procter’s articles for Trout and Salmon also often cover wild trout fishing as well as fishing techniques.
There are a number of fishing hotels and pubs who specialise in catering for wild trout fishermen and have their own water, for example the Arundell Arms in Devon regularly runs courses on wild trout fishing and the Peacock at Rowsley in the Peak District and Gliffaes Hotel near Crickhowell in Wales and the Scourie Hotel in Scotland have their own private wild trout fishing.
The Fish and Fly fly forum on www.flyforums.co.uk is a very good source of information, advice and support.
Almost all wild trout fishing in rivers involves wading, so thigh or chest waders are essential.
If you are fishing in more than one catchment, be aware that felt soled wading boots can transfer disease and invasive species. The best solution is to use the new generation of wading boots that are designed to grip on wet rock but can be easily cleaned. Click here for details on how to check, clean and dry your tackle.
What rod and line you need will depend on the size of the river you are fishing
Anything from 6ft 2 or 3 weight for a tree lined stream like the River Meon in Hampshire (right).
To 10ft 4 to 5 weight for a large main river like the River Eden in Cumbria (below)
Wild trout are a precious resource and filling the freezer and then feeding them to the dog is not sustainable! Only kill fish that you know that you will eat in a day or two. Most wild fish won’t smoke well as they have very low fat content, so catch some stock fish for the smoker and the freezer. Trout that are caught and released carefully will live to breed and be caught again.
How to release trout
- Use tackle that is an appropriate strength for the size of fish you expect to catch , as this avoids you having to play fish for a long time before landing. Long fights in warm weather are especially damaging.
- Use barbless hooks and have pliers to hand in case of difficulty. If the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line as the hook will work its way out and this is less damaging than a prolonged wrestling match.
- Always use wet hands to handle fish, and handle as little as possible. Avoid squeezing it.
- Try to release in the water and avoid landing on the bank or on gravel as this removes the surface slime and leaves the trout vulnerable to fungal infections.
- Photograph your fish close to the water, holding it out of the water as briefly as possible (below).
- Measure it rather than weigh it.
- Release the fish by pointing its nose into the current so that water is flowing over its gills. If necessary, move gently back and forth until it swims away (below).
This video clip from New Zealand shows 'best practice' for catch and release and taking photographs.
These are some of the skills that you need for wild trout that you may not need for stocked lake trout:
- Know how to ‘read the water’ – i.e. work out where the trout are likely to be. Although acquiring this skill is a lifelong occupation, you can get a huge leg up in recognising habitat features that are magnets for adult trout by reading our habitat manuals or participating in an Advisory Visit or Practical Visit with your fishing club.
- Move quietly and carefully into position so that you don’t spook the fish.
- Recognise what trout are (or might be) feeding on and select a fly that resembles their food.
- Cast the fly accurately over a short distance, often surrounded by bushes and trees that do their best to catch your fly. No double hauling, but roll casts, side casts or bow and arrow casts.
- Patience to retrieve your fly from wherever it has become tangled.
- A large supply of flies and leader material for when your patience runs out.
- Pliers and wet hands to ensure you can release the trout quickly and without damage.
To help you learn, you can hire a guide, use the Fly Forum , read fishing magazines (Trout and Salmon, Fly Fishing and Fly Tying, Total Flyfisher) and watch videos by companies like Fish On and Essential Skills.
And join the Wild Trout Trust!
