We are very fortunate at the Arundell to own and manage twenty-two miles of wild fishing on the river Tamar and five of its tributaries. Our rivers are diverse and individual, ranging from moorland spate rivers to lowland meandering trout streams. They are all beautiful, diverse, and we love them differently for their own strengths and characteristics. We are often asked to describe our waters which is never a simple matter given the variety. This short summary is an attempt to introduce you to the character of each of the different river and hopefully ensure that all our guests get to fish a river that matches their expectations and capabilities. We are sure there is something amongst our beats that will suit any fly-fishing preference or ability and this guide will hopefully steer you towards the correct stretch of river for your day. Clearly we hope that you get to fish all of them in time.
River Tamar
The Tamar is our primary river into which all our other rivers ultimately feed. The county boundary between Devon & Cornwall, and the largest of our waters, it holds good stocks of brown trout, sea trout and the occasional salmon. Meandering through the rich ham fields of lowland farmland it is set against the backdrop of the archetypal rolling Devon countryside. The water is comprised of classic large, slow, and deep holding pools, long gravelly flats, and riffles. Wading is good for the most part, and it is an easy river to fish and access. The water holds appeal for the beginner and experienced fisherman alike, and proficient anglers can seek out the more adventurous stretches between the pools which rarely see a fly. Trout fishing can be some of the best we have on our fishery and through the summer months anglers will find some of the larger trout the Westcountry has to offer in the Tamar’s smooth glides. July will bring large schools of seatrout, and from late summer onwards we can expect to find salmon throughout our water.
Species – Salmon, Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Grayling Size of River – Medium to large
Wading – Good
Ease of access and Fishability – EasyTrout Rods – 8’ #4 – 99’ #55 weight rods
Salmon & Seatrout Rods – 99’6” #7 – 12’ #8/99 weight rods
River Lyd
The Lyd is one of the primary tributaries of the Tamar and probably the prettiest. Beginning on the moors it runs fast and clear. More of a spate stream than its maternal Tamar, the levels rise and fall quickly allowing it to be fished for salmon and seatrout a short while after the peak of a spate. For anglers it offers some of the most delightful fly water due to its clear water and beautiful scenery. The valley is one of the most untouched in the West Country with no major roads or population centres, and the only disturbance to your day is likely to be the peeping salute of a kingfisher whizzing past. During the summer the Lyd can provide some of the best Sea Trout fishing anywhere in the Southwest and is where we conduct most of our night fishing. While the Lyd is smaller than the Tamar the pools are still easily fishable for the novice given a little light wading. For the more experience anglers, the pots, riffles, and rocky runs between the pools can provide an exciting opportunity for sport given ample wading experience. The Sydenham beats also benefit from a fishing hut which anglers can use during their day. They are the perfect beats for a fishing party to use as basecamp during their day.
Species – Salmon, Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Grayling Size of River – Medium
Wading – Easy to Medium
Ease of access and Fishability – Easy to Medium
Trout Equipment – 8’ #4 – 9’ #55 weight rods Salmon & Seatrout 99’ – 10’1#7/8 weight rods
Rivers Wolf & Thrushell
The Thrushell and its own tributary, the Wolf, is a pretty, lowland river which affords excellent trout fishing. The Thrushell itself is a small to medium sized river with a good number of open pools for the novice fisherman to target some excellent wild brown trout. It’s tributary the Wolf is slightly smaller and trickier, requiring more fishing experience. Both rivers are characterised by short gravelly runs with trout holding pockets, that flow into rock formed pools. To get the best from your day, the ability to cast from both shoulders is preferable as many of the runs and pots require working your way up the river from side to side andbetween access points. A short rod of 7ft or so is recommended. It should also be noted that the water levels on the Wolf are controlled by output from Roadford reservoir ensuring that it is often fishable when all other rivers are running too high after rainfall.
Species – Brown Trout, Grayling
Size of River – Medium/small
Wading difficulty – Medium
Ease of access and Fishability – Medium
Trout Equipment – 7’6”- 8’6” #3/4 weight rods
River Ottery
The Ottery is a magical little trout river and is the Arundell’s only trout fishing in Cornwall. It is very much a lowland river flowing slowly through unspoilt pastural land at the top of the Tamar catchment. The landscape is peaceful, beautiful, and only surpassed by the trout fishing which can be excellent. The river itself is small and bushy, but well maintained, and the wading is easy. There are deep pools and glorious runs which represent some of the best trout fishing on our fishery. Moderately experience fishermen will get the best from the water due to the relatively confined casting space, but for those with a short rod there is nothing beyond the capabilities of those who can cast proficiently. The river provides some early season sport with a good Grannom hatch, and is also known to have one of the best Mayfly hatches in the Westcountry. It is not to be missed on your trip to The Arundell.
Species – Brown Trout
Size of River – Small
Wading – Easy
Ease of access and Fishability – Medium
Trout Equipment – 7’- 8’ #3/4 weight rods
Rivers Lew & Upper Lyd
The stretches of the Upper Lyd and Lew on the Arundell fishery represent some of the finest wild fishing for the connoisseur of the small stream. Very lightly managed these streams are left in their natural state to provide the sport sought by the small stream afficionado. The Lyd runs exceeding clear in its upper reaches and maximum stealth, guile and approach are required to fool the wily fish that live in this stretch. It is also the first of our water to become fishable after a rise in river levels, often fishable even at the peak of a spate. The Lew carries a touch more colour but also requires a greater degree of finess in terms of presentation and both a considered approach and rivercraft. Short rods, tactical wading and adaptable casting are required for both rivers. For those who enjoy a challenge you will not find a more beautiful and wild spot in which to fish.
Species – Brown Trout
Size of River – Small
Wading – Medium and necessary
Ease of access and Fishability – Expert
Trout Equipment – 6′ -7’ #3/4
Tinhay Lake
We are fortunate to have our very own lake for exclusive use of residents at the Arundell. As well as being an important teaching resource, where generations of those beginning their career in fly fishing have first felt the pull of a fish, it also provides excellent sport for experienced fishermen. Whether the river’s are in spate or you simply prefer fishing a still water, the fishing can be excellent and at times challenging. A flooded lime quarry the waters in Tinhay are spring fed and crystal clear allowing for the excitement of sight fishing for fish cruising along the drop off. On clear windless summer days long leaders and small dries offer some of the most challenging and captivating sport when targeting overwintered and wily fish. For the beginner we ensure that the lake is regularly stocked to ensure that the all important first contact with a fish. Access to the lake is easy and only a short walk from our car park. All fishing is condcted from the bank and is manageable for all levels of fitness and ability.
Species – Rainbow Trout & Brown Trout
Size of Lake –
Wading – Fishing from the Bank Only
Ease of access and Fishability – Easy
Trout Equipment – 9′ #4-6 weight rods with Floating Lines
