The River Lune, Cumbria

The Lune is widely regarded as one of England’s finest game fishing rivers. It rises on the northern slopes of the Howgill Fells before turning southwards through the ‘Lune Gorge’, passing the market towns of Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale, and entering Morecambe Bay just downstream of Lancaster. The Yorkshire Fly Fishers’ Club controls the fishing rights on the sought-after Rigmaden Estate beat on the middle river. This is a magical stretch of river, set in stunning countryside near Kirkby Lonsdale and overlooked by the Barbon Fells to the east. Migratory species are of greatest interest here, although absorbing sport can be had with a decent population of sometime large wild brown trout.

Sea Trout Fishing On The River Lune

Our beat is one of the best for sea trout on the entire system. As well as great holding pools with safe night time wading, the access is very good, with car parking areas close to the river, where cars can be left securely during the night.

The Lune sea trout begin to enter the system in spring; a trickle of large – sometimes into double figures – sea trout begin to move upstream as early as April. However, the bulk of the sport is had between June and August when, given favourable conditions, good numbers of sea trout in the 2-3lb average size class begin to congregate in the pools. On warm summer nights the sport with these fish can be hugely exciting. It is even possible to catch them during the day on a big water, when presenting small flies can prove successful. The river is of a nicely manageable size and a ten foot rod rated for a 7 weight line will enable coverage of the water.

Salmon Fishing On The River Lune

The River Lune is a famous salmon river and long regarded one of England’s finest. In keeping with the majority of the west coast salmon rivers, sport has declined somewhat over recent years, but nevertheless fine sport can be had when the summer run of two sea winter Lune salmon enter the system. The Yorkshire Fly Fishers Club controls over two miles of beautiful, mainly double bank fishing on the middle river at Rigmaden Park. The beat consists of long, pebble-bottomed pools, interspersed with sections of bedrock character where fast water at pool heads empties into deep rock-lined dubs. There is much tree cover along the banks, but access for the fly fisher is excellent and the water lends itself perfectly to fly fishing with a double handed rod. The beat is only lightly fished and there is ample opportunity to find real solitude here, in one of the loveliest parts of the Lune Valley.

Trout Fishing On The River Lune

The Lune is not generally noted for its trout fishing. However, this may derive from its reputation for salmon and sea trout, as much as any perceived shortcomings in the stock of native brownies. Whilst it is true that the Lune is not a particularly prolific trout river, there are nonetheless plenty to be caught…although they are not always easy to find. Our fishing on the Lune is mainly hatch-driven: if there are insects on the surface, there will be trout rising to eat them somewhere. However, finding these fish when hatch activity is slow, can be very challenging indeed.

The big attraction to the trout angler, is the quality of the fish here. The Lune breeds some very impressive brown trout, often reaching weights in excess of 3lb. The water is frequently very clear and a considered, stealthy approach is required in order to get into position for a cast at such specimens. This is exciting and challenging trout fishing, rewarding for the experienced angler who is prepared to work hard for their fish.

YFFC Image Gallery - Fishing On The River Lune

 

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