Thruscross Reservoir is the northernmost of four reservoirs in the Washburn valley, lying north of Otley and west of Harrogate, near the village of Thruscross. It can be found along an unclassified road from the A59 at Blubberhouses, where the road from Otley joins. Construction of Thruscross reservoir was completed in 1966, much later than the other three reservoirs which date back to the nineteenth century. It is much larger than it first appears due to the number of arms and will take you two to three hours to walk around. It is beautiful but due to it’s height it can be wild as are the trout – it is not stocked.
Construction of the reservoir flooded the village of West End, which was already largely derelict following the decline of the flax industry. There is another hamlet close to the reservoir that retains the name of West End. The remains of a flax mill can be seen at the edge of the reservoir, and more of the village has been revealed at times of severe drought, such as the summers of 1989 and 1990.
The reservoir is the property of Yorkshire Water, which manages it for the benefit of walkers, anglers and wildlife. Yorkshire Water also release water at specific times on the weekends and in the evenings to allow canoeists to navigate along all four reservoirs in the Washburn Valley. This canoe run starts at Thruscross, though no boats are allowed on the reservoir.
Day and evening tickets are available from the cabin and machine in the car park of
Thruscross reservoir further north, in a wilder remote setting, provides 140 acres of water as a superb wild brown trout (catch and return) fly fishery. Fishing is limited to designated areas.
Tickets are available, by either cash or card payment, from the machine in the fishing office located at Swinsty Moor car park, near the western end of Fewston Reservoir dam wall. Please remember to register at the fishing office before fishing. The ticket allows you to fish at all three reservoirs.
Located adjacent to the A59, Harrogate to Skipton road at Blubberhouses village, Thruscross Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs are set in attractive surroundings of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Swinsty and Fewston Reservoirs are both 63ha (153 acres) in surface area and are regularly stocked with rainbow trout at 1lb 6oz and fish between 3lb and 7lb. The largest rainbow trout caught was over 14lb. Wild brown trout can be caught and returned in all reservoirs, Thruscross reservoir is a wild brown trout fishery only with limited bank space for the angler. The reservoirs are part of the water supply system and the level of water can vary. This and the size of the waters, compared with many other fisheries, will test the skill of the angler.
Reservoirs open daily for fishing between 25th March and the last Sunday in November inclusive from 7.30am until one hour after dusk. Winter fishing at weekends only is available on Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs from 1st December to 24th March.
Yorkshire Water recognises fishing is a popular form of recreation and to promote the sport children aged 16 years and under may fish free of charge when accompanied by an adult who is fishing with a valid Yorkshire Water ticket/permit. In this instance, a single bag limit will apply. We offer a range of tariffs to accommodate day, evening, full season and concession anglers.
Fly fishing only on Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs.
Fly, spinning and coarse fishing is permitted on Swinsty reservoir.
These waters are cold at the start of the season and a sinking line is a must for the fly fisherman. As the weeks pass, a floating line with leaders at 1.5 rod lengths in calm conditions or shorter if the water is rough will be the order of the day. This of course can only be a guide, but, to help further, some of the natural fly around the waters are – black gnats, hawthorne fly, sedges, mayfly, daddy longlegs, flying ants, lake olives, iron blue duns, heatherfly and numerous other midges.
Our Fishing Wardens are a source of valuable information, please also see fishing rules. If you need advice ask when you meet them patrolling the waters or they can be contacted by telephone during the season on 01943 880658.
General Fishing Information
The fishing office is located at Swinsty Moor car park near Fewston reservoir embankment.
Anglers must complete a registration form before fishing and place in the box provided at the fishing office.
Tickets are purchased from the ticket machine at the fishing office. The machines will accept debit/credit cards and cash. Change is not available on site. Current tariff rates are displayed in the fishing office.
Catch return forms must be completed and placed in the boxes provided.
Anglers must park their vehicles in the car parks provided.
Swinsty lagoon is reserved for disabled anglers only and those persons accompanying them. Dedicated parking is available; contact the fishery wardens prior to arriving.
Thruscross has a dedicated angler car park, contact the fishery wardens prior to arriving.
Fishing competitions and tuition can be arranged with the Fishing Wardens. Toilet facilities are only available at Swinsty Moor car park.
There are other recreational users at the reservoirs and anglers need to consider their actions to reduce conflict and maintain safety e.g. back casting.
Yorkshire Water reserves the right to exclude anglers from all or part of the reservoir areas at any time.
REMEMBER – discarded fishing line and hooks can injure or kill birds and wildlife.
Random bag checks & tackle inspections will be made.
Any further information required including current tariffs can be obtained from the Fishing Wardens at Swinsty Moor Fishing Office Tel: 01943 880658.
Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross reservoirs offer exceptionally high quality fly and coarse fishing in a stunning rural setting. The fishery is easily accessible from the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate, Otley and Leeds.
Each reservoir has at least one car park and toilet facilities are available at Swinsty Moor next to the fishing office.
Fewston is stocked with 1-4lb rainbow trout, with bag limits in place and is stocked regularly throughout the season. Swinsty is available for both fly fishing and coarse fishing.
Both reservoirs are part of the raw water supply system and the level of water can vary. This and the size of the waters will test the skill of the angler.
Thruscross reservoir further north, in a wilder remote setting, provides 140 acres of water as a superb wild brown trout (catch and return) fly fishery. Fishing is limited to designated areas.
Tickets are available, by either cash or card payment, from the machine in the fishing office located at Swinsty Moor car park, near the western end of Fewston dam wall. Please remember to register at the fishing office before fishing.
Fly Fishing Prices
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Ticket Type |
Amount (£) |
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|
Day Ticket |
£20.00 |
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|
Concessionary Day Ticket |
£17.00 |
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|
Evening Ticket |
£15.00 |
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|
Winter Day Ticket |
£17.00 |
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|
Season Ticket |
£380.00 |
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|
Concessionary Season Ticket |
£310.00 |
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Coarse Fishing Prices
Opening Times
25th March to 30th November
1st May to 31st August
1st December to 25th March
open daily for fishing from 7.30am and close at the time displayed in the Fishing Office.
evening tickets available from 4.00pm weekend opening 8.00am to 4.00pm
|
Ticket Type |
Amount (£) |
|
Day Ticket |
£7.50 |
|
Concessionary Day Ticket |
£6.00 |
Details correct as at 08/03/16