Peter admiring the view across the valley at the top of Hebden water
Hebden water can be split into three main sections each with it’s own character, the top end is nestled in a steep sided moorland valley. The base pillars that remain from Blake Dean trestle bridge can still be seen. Β To access this top section from Hebden Bridge follow the road past Heptonstall, Widdop road, there is some space to park next to the road.
Descending the steep steps to the beck
The steps down to Hebden water are very steep here but its worth the effort, the water is full of lively free rising trout, not large but lots of fun, perfect for Tenkara.
Peat stained but clear water. The fish are dark with strongly coloured markings.
Further downstream the water flows through the woods of Hardcastle Crags, this section is probably best accessed by New Bridge National Trust car park. The water through the woods is the best I have seen for teaching a child to fish with a tenkara rod. No waders are needed as there are convenient rocks to stand on and the surroundings could hardly be more beautiful. The fish are not large but reasonably easy to catch.
My son Zachary fishing Hebden Water in Hardcastle Crags
My son really enjoyed fishing here and catching his first trout on the fly at the age of 5! – see below
Zachary age 5 with his first trout
Fishing tickets
The top of Hebden Water through Hardcastle Crags is controlled by Hebden Bridge Angling SocietyΒ . Β Their water starts at New Bridge by the National Trust car park and continues up to the junction of the streams at the remains of the old Blake Dean trestle bridge. Β It’s possible to fish the whole stretch in a day but I’ve found it more rewarding to concentrate on either the top end for a short outing or the wooded section for a more involved day.
Below Hardcastle crags the water from Dark Lane Bridge, Foster Lane on the outskirts of Hebden Bridge to the Blue Pig WMC at Midgehole can be fished on the Ryburn and Halifax Angling Society ticket, this stretch is mostly pocket water, quite difficult to navigate but lots of fun.
Hebden Bridge Angling SocietyΒ tickets are available from Jewsons tackle shop in HalifaxΒ , maybe other locations but can’t confirm this
Ryburn and Halifax Angling SocietyΒ Β Tickets are available from:
- Sowerby Bridge Post Office, 42-44 Wharf St, Sowerby Bridge Tel: 01422 831404
- Hebden Bridge Tourist Information Centre, Butlers Wharf, New Rd, Hebden Bridge
- A.J.Jewsons, 28 Horton St, Halifax 01422 343455
- By sending payment, along with a S.A.E. to their general secretary
I was wondering what length rod your son was using?
He is using a 270cm Daiwa SR
I have been a course and sea angler since childhood but have recently become interested in taking up fly fishing. Could you recommend any particular fly fishing combo for a novice such as myself, hopefully to use around the Calder near Mytholmroyd.
Sorry I haven’t had chance to work on the blog for some time. You may well have already got this sorted but a good starting point would be a #4 weight 9ft rod and reel. Some of the entry rods from greys, Shakespeare agility and a suitable reel with #4 weight WF floating line. Along with a tapered leader added to the fly line and some tippet you now have a basic set up you can fish dry fly, upstream nymph, spiders and duo (floating fly like a klinkhamer with a small 2.5mm tungsten beaded nymph suspended approximately 2ft below, also known as klink and dink). Fly selection is a big topic, I suggest reading around fly fishing forums but some good all-rounders for dry include F-fly, parachute Adams, CDC emergers, griffiths gnat and klinkhamer for faster water. Under the surface small bead flies such as Copper Mary, perdigons and gold ribbed hares ear are all reliable.
You may already have waders, these are a requirement for rivers and you will need a net, a smaller one you can hang on a magnetic keeper on your back is best. Polariser glasses, peak cap to keep the glare off them, tippet, forceps for fly retrieval fly floatant and line snips. Most people find the easiest way to carry this equipment is a wading jacket with various pockets.
I found quite a nice guide for basic river fly fishing here river fly fishing for beginners