Fly Fishing on Beaver Dyke and John O'Gaunts Reservoirs

Beaver Dyke and John O'Gaunts reservoirs are located a few miles west of Harrogate hidden away in a delightful and secluded valley only a mile or so off the A59. The fishing on these reservoirs is controlled by Yorkshire Anglers which is a small private member only club run by a good friend of Steve's, Phil Bamforth. There is an excellent fishing hut which provides sanctuary and warmth on the less clement days. Yorkshire Anglers also control a length of the River Wharfe at Burley.

Beaver Dyke and John O'Gaunts reservoirs are in easy reach of Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Harrogate and York and with a direct rail link to Skipton from London Kings Cross makes it easy to visit even from the south of England.

Couldn't sleep the night before my first lesson with you on April 6th, couldn’t sleep the night after either. I remember all of what you told me, even wrote it down. I shall never forget my first Rainbow on fly, it occurred to me just how knowledgeable you were.

Steve Herbert, Doncaster - Tuition day, Beaver Dyke Reservoir

Beaver Dyke reservoir is around 25 acres in size and is well stocked with both Rainbow and Blue Trout the odd Brown Trout is occasionally caught and last year one member had one of more than 5lbs.

Fishing at Beaver Dyke lends itself to all the usual fly fishing methods with the fish responding well to buzzers in the early part of the season and from May onwards fishing the dry fly can be particularly good. Beaver Dyke has an excellent Mayfly hatch throughout June and into early July.

John O'Gaunts reservoir is around 10 acres and is separated from Beaver Dyke only by its dam wall; it's completely different in character and only contains Brown Trout with fish of 3 – 4lbs being not uncommon. Brown Trout have totally different habits to Rainbow and Blue Trout and on the days when the Rainbows and Blues are reluctant to feed on Beaver Dyke often the Browns can be feeding well on John O'Gaunts.

As you would expect buzzers, dry flies and of course the more traditional Irish and Scottish Loch Style flies will take fish on John O'Gaunts. As with Beaver Dyke the dry fly fishing can be excellent and fishing with a dry Daddy in August and September can provide great sport.

Fish species / seasons

Beaver Dyke is open throughout the year and is well stocked with both Rainbow and Blue Trout, Brown Trout are occasionally also caught. John O'Gaunts is open from the 25th March until the 31st October and holds Brown Trout only.

Tackle

AA rod between 9 and 10 feet for a 6 or 7 weight (floating) line is ideal.

Guides

Steve Rhodes is a member of Yorkshire Anglers and Phil Bamforth is happy for him to take Go Fly Fishing UK clients there to fish. Steve fishes at Beaver Dyke and John O'Gaunts very regularly so has an intimate knowledge of where the fish are, what methods to use and which flies will catch them. All tackle including flies can be provided or if you prefer you can bring your own. We can provide a local railway station collection and return service and are available to give you a guided tour of the historic sites, towns, cities and the many other attractions in the Yorkshire Dales.

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Costs

Fly Fishing in the Yorkshire Dales is great value, with very few exceptions the prices are those listed on our costs page. Click here to go directly to our costs page. When fishing from a boat the hire of the boat may be charged extra, if this is the case you will be advised at the time of booking.

For more detailed information about the non-fishing highlights of the Skipton area please click here.

Contact Steve at our northern office to discuss your preferred fly fishing location or to make a booking - telephone 01756 748378 / 07717 533177, email steve@goflyfishinguk.com.