The fly fishing seasons specific to the River Eden are as follows:

Salmon
15th January to the 14th October.
Brown Trout
15th March to the 30th September.
Grayling
16th June to the 14th March.

Fishing on the Eden Lacy beat is strictly fly only.

Yes you will need a fishing rod licence. These are available to buy online from the Environment Agency.

There are two types: trout, course fish & eel licence or salmon & sea trout licence and you can buy 1-day, 8-day or 12 month licences as necessary. There are harsh fines for fishing without a licence and you will be asked to produce one before you start fishing.

Licence information | Buy a fishing rod licence

ou will need a fly fishing rod for salmon, anywhere between 11'6” and 15’ depending on the height of the river.

For trout anything from 7’6” to 9’6”.

That is the million dollar question, selection changes with river conditions and also fashion over time!

For salmon we are currently using the Cascade, Ally's Shrimp, Willie Gunn, Pot Bellied Pig and Munroe Killer, hook-size is dependent on river height and colour.

For trout it’s best to stick to the tried and tested northern spiders: Partridge & Orange, Snipe & Purple, March Brown and Greenwell's Glory. Early in the season you will be using wet flies and getting down low perhaps with a brass-head, later in the year when the insects are emerging, switch to dry flies. We recommend you use barbless flies.

Top tip: Our friends at John Norris of Penrith will always be able to help you and stock all relevant flies. Worth dropping in on your way.

We would suggest you use chest waders but thigh waders will suffice in most pools.  A wading stick and a life jacket are recommended, particularly in the Viaduct pool which can be treacherous underfoot due to the rock strata. 

There are places you can fish from the bank, particularly at low water but you will have more of a chance if you come prepared to wade.

Initially we would recommend you have a look through our Pool-by-Pool guide, which goes through each pool in detail with information on all the likely places you will be able to catch salmon and trout.

We also have a ‘Paper Ghillie’ document which incorporates the Pool-by-Pool guide as well as vital additional information. This can be downloaded and printed off for reference.

DOWNLOAD PAPER GHILLIE

Local ghillies/guides/instructors may also be of interest:

Geoff Johnston: theedenangler@gmail.com | www.theedenangler.co.uk
Dr. Colin Bradshaw: cb@fishandfly.com | www.spey2.com
Clive Mitchelhill: clive@bordergameangling.co.uk | www.bordergameangling.co.uk
Glyn Freeman: glyn@cumbriaflyfishing.co.uk | www.cumbriaflyfishing.co.uk

The Eden Lacy fishery on the River Eden, Lake District Fringe in Cumbria is specifically located here:

Eden Lacy, Lazonby, Penrith,
Cumbria CA10 1BZ

Grid reference: NY 56287 38298
Grid Reference (6 figure): NY562382

Latitude: 54.737738
Longitude: -2.6804413

More specific information and directions can be found on our Location & Parking page

You can book salmon or trout fishing from a single day to multiple days and from a single rod to multiple rods.

If you’d like self-catering accommodation, then we’d love it if you stayed with us.

We have 2 cottages:
Force Mill (sleeps 6) overlooking the river.
The Lodge (sleeps 2 with views of the river.

Check out our accommodation page for full property details and booking links.

We have a great fully stocked fishing and country sports shop in Penrith (7 miles away from the river) called John Norris of Penrith. Well worth dropping in on your way to us and conveniently located just off the M6.

Top tip: mention our name and where you’re fishing as they have great local knowledge of what equipment and flies to use.

Assuming you’re a responsible dog owner and your dog is under control, yes - you may bring your dog when you come and fish. Dogs are sadly not allowed in the self-catering accommodation.

Please check out our dedicated parking page, but we have 4 places to park.

You can check the river level here:

River Eden at Appleby - 16 miles up river from us - this level shows the run off from the Pennines, the source of the north flowing River Eden.

River Eden at Temple Sowerby - 10 miles up river from us, shows whether any rise or fall at Appleby has continued downstream towards us.

River Eamont at Pooley Bridge - the River Eamont is the main Tributary of the River Eden. The Eamont comes out of Ullswater. This level indicates the rain from the Lake District into the River Eden.

River Eamont at Udford - Udford is where the River Eamont comes into the River Eden. Another level indicator that we use.