Harrogate FlyFishers' Club

Harrogate Fly Fishers’ Club is one of the premier game fishing clubs in the North of England. Founded in 1887 as the Harrogate Conservative Angling Association it changed its name to Harrogate Fly Fishers’ Club in 1939. The club is certainly the oldest in Nidderdale and one of the oldest in Yorkshire. The club has for many years controlled around four miles of the River Nidd centred on Darley, a village eight miles to the northwest of Harrogate.

Our water holds a substantial head of both wild brown trout and grayling and provides superb fishing throughout the year. For more details about the water and the fishing please click here.

• The fishing is for wild brown trout and grayling, the river has not been stocked with trout for a number of years. Fly fishing only is permitted during the trout season, 25th March – 30th September inclusive but Long Trotting for grayling with worm and maggot is permitted from the 1st October – 28th February inclusive.

• The clubs preserves cover four miles of mainly double bank fishing in one continuous length.

• The clubs water is reserved for members only, no day tickets are issued. There are only 55 members plus a small number of life and senior members therefore the water is lightly fished. Members are issued with three guest tickets which are included in their subscription, in addition members have the option of buying up to a further four guest tickets at a very reasonable cost.

• As the River Nidd level is to a degree “regulated” by three upstream reservoirs, Angram, Scar House and Gouthwaite so the River Nidd is often fishable when the other Yorkshire Dales rivers and streams are in flood. In addition the character of the river means that even in low water or even drought conditions the river can fish well.

• The Harrogate Fly Fishers’ Club has reciprocal arrangements with three other clubs providing additional access to a variety of superb lake, beck and river fishing throughout North Yorkshire. Further details can be found here.

• In recent years the club has developed an extensive programme of conservation and river habitat improvements in addition to regular fly life and water quality monitoring. To find out more visit our Conservation page. Regular work parties are held throughout the autumn and winter and members are encouraged to participate if able.

• Members are provided with an excellent monthly newsletter throughout the year covering club activities, catches etc.

• There is a waiting list, but this is relatively short and should not deter applications for membership. The annual subscription is £240 with an entrance fee of £150.

To apply for membership click here to download a membership application form.