Guided Sessions
Guided fishing on the River Wharfe.
Spend time on the bank of the River Wharfe in Yorkshire with local river knowledge, bait advice and a relaxed, unhurried session. Barbel are the main summer draw, and guided pike sessions run through the winter from mid-November to February.
What's included
- Full guided fishing session on the River Wharfe, barbel in the river season and pike in winter
- Expert swim selection based on current river conditions
- Bait preparation and presentation advice
- Tackle guidance, use your own kit or borrow ours
- Complimentary refreshments provided throughout your session.
- Relaxed, unhurried riverside experience
- Session debrief and tips to take away
- Fully insured guide with enhanced DBS check
Booking notes
- 18+ only
- All guests must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence
- Sessions may be rescheduled due to unsafe river conditions
- Up to 2 anglers per session
- 4 hour and 8 hour sessions available
Your guide
Meet Ben Malloch
Ben Malloch's passion for the River Wharfe began on his ninth birthday, when his dad took him fishing there for the very first time. From that day on, he was hooked and has never looked back. More than 30 years later, the Wharfe remains Ben's favourite river and the place where he has spent countless hours developing his angling skills and understanding of river fishing.
Although Ben's fishing has taken him to rivers, coastlines and tropical waters around the world, the River Wharfe remains the place he is proud to call his home water. Its ever-changing nature, beautiful surroundings and outstanding fishing continue to draw him back season after season.
Ben is fortunate enough to spend two or three days a week fishing throughout the year. While he enjoys exploring a wide variety of waters and disciplines, the Wharfe remains the river he knows best and returns to most often. This time on the bank allows him to stay connected to changing conditions, fish behaviour and the techniques that consistently produce results.
Ben's guiding focuses primarily on barbel during the river season and pike throughout the winter months. Having spent decades fishing the Wharfe, he has developed an in-depth understanding of its productive areas, seasonal patterns and the approaches that give anglers the best chance of success.
Whether guests are looking to catch their first barbel, improve their river fishing skills or pursue the fish of a lifetime, Ben looks forward to helping them make the most of their time on the water.
On the bank
How Ben fishes the Wharfe.
Thirty years on this river have taught Ben to keep things simple and fish with purpose. Here is a feel for the approach you can expect on a guided barbel session.
Tackle and rigs
Ben favours a simple running rig built around the Drennan Run Rig Kit with a 1oz gripper lead to hold station in the flow. A 30lb braid mainline gives sharp bite detection and the control needed to steer a hard-fighting fish away from snags. He pairs this with a strong but forgiving 1.75lb test-curve barbel rod and a baitrunner reel, finished with a size 10 hook on a hair rig tied with a knotless knot.
Bait
Peperami and sweetcorn are firm favourites, with hemp and sweetcorn introduced as loose feed and the bait size matched to the hair. Peperami is durable and comes into its own after dark or in coloured water, while sweetcorn makes a bright hookbait that sits perfectly alongside the feed.
Tactics
Ben introduces loose feed into two areas to build defined feeding spots, then gives each cast around 45 minutes to work. Patience is everything. He makes only small, deliberate changes when there is a reason to, and on this stretch the downstream swim often produces most of the action.
Philosophy
The aim is to build confidence, keep presentation simple, feed with purpose, stay patient and adapt as conditions change, all while enjoying the process. Every fish is handled with care, landed in a large, deep specimen net, kept safe on the bank and given time to recover fully before it swims away.
Winter season
Guided pike sessions.
Barbel remain the headline draw through the summer, but from mid-November to February the river comes alive with pike. These are methodical, patient sessions with the genuine chance of a specimen fish of 20lb or more, fished with deadbaits such as roach, smelt and lamprey, as well as lures when conditions suit.
The Pegs
Your swims on the River Wharfe.
Two private pegs on a beautiful, mature stretch of the Wharfe. Both swims offer excellent barbel and chub fishing throughout the season, with pike fishing available through the winter months.
Left peg
A classic barbel swim with steady flow and good cover along the far bank.
Right peg
A varied swim with depth changes and natural features that hold fish throughout the season.
Catches from the Wharfe
What you could be landing.
The River Wharfe is home to some stunning fish. Here are a few recent catches from our guests and guides at the pegs. Click any photo to take a closer look.
Enquire about a session
Pick your date.
Choose a date that suits you and send us your details. This is an enquiry: Ben will confirm whether the session can run on your chosen date. Green dates are available and red dates are already taken.
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