Guest Guidelines & Fishing Etiquette

All guests participating in guided fishing sessions must be aged 18 or over.

Young anglers are very welcome to visit the cottage and the pegs as part of a family stay, but guided sessions are designed for adult participants only.

If you are booking a session as a gift for someone younger, please get in touch before booking and we will be happy to advise.

All anglers fishing in England are legally required to hold a valid Environment Agency rod fishing licence. This is a legal requirement, not an optional extra. Fishing without a licence is an offence and can result in a significant fine.

Licences can be purchased quickly and easily online via GOV.UK, or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386. They are available as a 1-day, 8-day or 12-month licence.

Please ensure your licence is purchased and active before your session begins. Ben will ask to see it on the day.

Coarse fishing on the River Wharfe is subject to the statutory close season for rivers, which runs from 15 March to 15 June each year. Fishing on the river during this period is illegal.

The river season at Wharfe Bank Fishing runs from 16 June to 15 March. We do not accept guided fishing bookings during the close season.

Pike fishing sessions are typically available from mid-November through to February, subject to conditions and guide availability. Follow us on social media for dates.

The River Wharfe is a tidal, fast-flowing river. Conditions can change quickly, particularly during and after rainfall. Your safety is always our first priority.

Please observe the following at all times on site:

• Stay within designated fishing areas and never enter the water.
• Keep a safe distance from the water's edge at all times.
• If the river is rising rapidly, move away from the bank and contact Ben immediately.
• Take note of the location of the life ring on site when you arrive.
• Children and non-anglers must be supervised near the water at all times.
• Never fish alone if you have any concerns about conditions.

If you have a session booked and are concerned about river conditions, please check the live river level at Cock Beck Sluices gauge before travelling. You can also check the Environment Agency flood risk service.

Please also read our terms, including taking part at your own risk.

We practise responsible catch and release fishing. Every fish caught at Wharfe Bank is returned safely to the water.

Please follow these practices during your session:

• Wet your hands before handling any fish.
• Keep fish in the water as much as possible. If photographing, do so quickly.
• Never hold a fish vertically by the lip or squeeze its body.
• Use a landing net and unhooking mat. These are provided.
• Return fish gently, supporting them in the water until they swim away under their own power.
• Report any signs of fish distress or unusual fish to Ben immediately.

The Angling Trust publishes useful guidance on fish care and catch and release best practice.

The Wharfe and its surroundings support a rich variety of wildlife and plant life. We ask everyone visiting to help us look after it.

• Take all litter home with you, including packaging, bait containers and line.
• Never leave fishing line, hooks or lead weights near the water. These can seriously injure wildlife.
• Keep to the designated path when accessing the pegs.
• Do not disturb nesting birds or bank-side vegetation.
• Do not introduce any live bait or plants to the river.

The Check, Clean, Dry guidance helps prevent the spread of invasive non-native species. Please check and clean any equipment that has been used in other waterways before visiting.

Our two private pegs offer an exclusive, peaceful fishing experience. During your session, the pegs are reserved for your use only.

As a matter of good angling etiquette, we ask guests to:

• Keep noise to a reasonable level near the water.
• Avoid casting over or across neighbouring anglers on the wider river.
• Be considerate of other anglers who may be using the river nearby.

The River Wharfe is a tidal river and conditions can occasionally make fishing unsafe or impractical. We monitor river levels closely and will always contact you in advance if a session needs to be rescheduled.

Your £50 deposit is fully transferable to a new date in the event of a cancellation due to river conditions. We will always do our best to find an alternative date that works for you.

You can monitor the river level at the Cock Beck Sluices gauge on the Environment Agency flood service. The live river level widget on our homepage also provides a guide to current conditions and what they mean for fishing.

Wharfe Bank Fishing welcomes guests of all backgrounds, experience levels, nationalities and abilities.

Whether you are an experienced river angler or picking up a rod for the very first time, you will receive the same friendly, patient and knowledgeable guidance from Ben.

We are a small family business. We do not have a long list of rules. We simply ask that every guest treats the river, the fish and each other with the same care and respect that we do.

If you have any questions before your visit, or any requirements we should know about, please get in touch. We are always happy to help.