River Walkham Beat 1 – Deadlake to Merrivale
Beat 1 is available to full members, associate members and permit holders at any time during the fishing season. Fishing is permitted only with fly or artificial lure. The beat lies within Dartmoor National Park and bylaws prohibit spinning for brown trout. Fishing from any bridges is prohibited.
The beat starts where the Dead Lake brook joins the River Walkham on Langstone Moor. The beat ends at the Walkhampton parish boundary which is 2 kilometers downstream where a stone wall meets the river on the left bank. Fishing is from the left bank only.
There is ample parking at the Four Winds car park, east of the Dartmoor Inn on the B3357. Opposite the car park a track leads to Little Mis Tor. At the end of the track walk west, downhill, following the stone wall which leads to the bottom of the beat. It is a long walk, more than 2 kilometers over rough ground.
Good dry fly fishing can be had from this little stream. ‘Fish the water’ and be prepared for fast takes.
River Walkham Beat 3 – Ward Bridge to Huckworthy
Beat 3 is available to full members, associate members and permit holders at any time during the fishing season. Fishing is the left bank only with fly or artificial lure. The beat lies within Dartmoor National Park and bylaws prohibit spinning for brown trout. Fishing from any bridges is prohibited.
The section between Ward Bridge and the hamlet of Huckworthy provides a little less than two kilometers of wooded and fast water. The section immediately below Ward Bridge, about 300 meters, is in private hands and fishermen are asked not to access the club’s water by passing through Brockhill Wood. Access to the fishing can be found from the track that leads off the Walkhampton to Eggworthy lane and through Dittisham Wood. Members can obtain a key to the gate from the club treasurer. There is no access from Ward Bridge through Brockhill Wood until further notice.
The River Egg is a tiny violent stream that tumbles into the Walkham and was once used to provide domestic electricity and the remains of the small generating station can still be seen. From here downstream there is a series of pots, pools and runs down to Huckworthy. It includes Eggworthy Weir, a superb long pool that often holds good shoals of sea trout from May.
Access at Huckworthy Bridge is through the drive of Huckworthy Mill. Please make yourself know to the owners and show your permit if requested.
Beat 4 – Huckworthy to Foxham’s
Beat 4 is available to full members, associate members and permit holders at any time during the fishing season. Fishing is from the left bank only with fly or artificial lure. The beat is within the Dartmoor National Park and byelaws prohibit spinning for brown trout.
The beat begins 100 meters below Huckworthy Bridge and ends 1.1 kilometers downstream at the field boundary above Foxham’s Weir.
The short section immediately below Huckworthy Bridge is in private ownership.
Access to the beat is best found at the field gate on the right about 100 meters up the road towards Walkhampton from Huckworthy Bridge. Crossing this field diagonally will bring you to Nellie’s Pool in the corner of the field. Access is also possible down the track to the ford (Stepping Stones) over Black Brook. Cross the ford, turn right onto Knowle Down where a gate on the left allows entry to the field below Sargent’s Weir.
Access to the bottom of the beat from the fields adjacent to Foxham’s Weir is under review, please do not use this route until further notice.
Parking is possible at the top of Knowle Down and there is limited parking at Huckworthy Bridge.
Few pools are named but those recommended include Nellie’s Pool. This dark pool with a high left bank, may be fished effectively for sea trout from a stand at the neck of the pool. There are good runs adjacent to the old Wheal George Mine. Oak Tree pool, on the bend below Sargent’s Weir, is also a good pool. Foxham’s Weir holds fish but only the top section, upstream of the field boundary, is available, the lower section is private.
River Walkham Beat 5 – Bedford (Magpie) Bridge and Grenofen Bridge
Beat 5 is available to full members, associate members and permit holders at any time during the fishing season. Fishing is the left bank only with fly or artificial lure. The beat lies within Dartmoor National Park and bylaws prohibit spinning for brown trout. Fishing from any bridges is prohibited.
The beat stretches 1.6 kilometers from Bedford (Magpie) Bridge to Grenofen Bridge. Access to the water is from the top or the bottom of the beat where there is adequate parking. Toilets are situated at the Magpie Bridge car park.
This can be a very productive beat but its ease of access makes it a popular spot for picnics and dog walking. Expect to be disturbed on sunny summer weekends. It is best fished early in the morning or on wet days. When the river rises with autumn rain it is very popular with salmon fishermen. Expect salmon in high flows, sea trout run through and can be caught at night in the lower pools. The run into Pawsons Pool at Grenofen Bridge is a popular night fishing stand. Remain well upstream of the bridge and fish the run down to bridge. Casting down under the bridge can be counter productive. The beat has some history and most of the pools have been named.
River Walkham Beat 6 – Grenofen to Bucktor (Reserved water)
Beat 6 is available to Full Members at any time during the season and Associate Members according to the club rota and calendar. Fishing is the left bank only with fly or artificial lure. The beat lies within Dartmoor National Park and bylaws prohibit spinning for brown trout. Fishing from any bridges is prohibited.
The beat , which is about 1.1k long, begins at Grenofen Bridge and ends at the first field boundary above Bucktor.
The beat includes the island below Grenofen Bridge and fishing from this island is permitted but please have consideration for anyone fishing the opposite bank.
Access to the water is from the top of the beat where there is adequate parking.