Fishing the river Swale at Topcliffe.

[@YORKSOULTRAIN]

Not aimed at yourself in particular, I’ve fished the swale man and boy for over forty years now, and I’ve noticed that people like to fish close to bushes snags etc, it seems the trend nowadays is to have your rod high and sit back from your rods, surely if your casting and fishing in a spot where you are close to bushes, the barbel are very good at learning there surroundings and usually leave the shade of the snags in low light conditions, now that first couple of seconds in my experience when a barbel takes, he is already heading back to his snag, with the stretch of line, the give in the rod, surely it would be more advantageous to sit next to your rods, to hit the bite and turn the fish as soon as possible, I can understand it in a big river like the Trent or even the Ouse, but in a narrow river like the Swale I would have thought it would make sense. Just an observation. Personally I always fish down the inside so I’m always sat with my rod, as soon as a bite my rod goes low and turns the fish and I play it along the bottom which is more natural for the fish and it’s shape, I’ve found if I try and bring it straight up to the light it’s a much more intense fight. Just an observation.

[@borderlands6606]

About to net a chub of a couple of pound on the Nidd last week, when a pike grabbed it. Played them for several minutes and had the net under the pike when it decided to let go. Returned with pike gear and soon had one of 13 lb, but I don't think it was the fish that had the chub. Rivers are so low you could walk across in wellies at the moment.

[@sjmclean0]

I've put some time in on this stretch recently and struggled, Good chance I was the other person on at the same time. The wind has been mega. Trying to learn what I can before the river starts fishing well.

[@rossmckinnon2416]

Can you get a day tickets for that stretch.

[@Charlyfarly2]

There are no day/gust tickets on thet stretch. Join Leeds DASA to fish it.

[@johnloxley8705]

@@Charlyfarly2good job you check people’s book tom to make sure they have one as some people thinks it’s ok to go with someone who has a book and think they can fish for free !!! for the price of a yearly book it’s a bargain. Some lovely places to fish and meet some good people as well. 👍…. toppy has always been a popular sport and I know it can be hard at times as only you will know there are some lovely fish to be had. Let’s hope it stays that way and people look after it. all the best 👍🎣

[@Carlosnufc]

What club own that stretch

[@parklandpiker]

Leeds dasa

[@andrewbogan1751]

You can but only If with someone from club with you who books it What strength line you got on bud ? No offence meant just observation but rivers are in worst condition for fish this time year , and considering no flow at toppy ,it took you an age to get a modest fish in ,thought you had low to mid double how long it took atleast u rested it tho

[@outdoorssensible]

@andrewbogan1751 Use between 12 and 15 lb line and it put up a good fight with my weight guess conservative.

[@parklandpiker]

It is a members only water topcliff not aloud to use the guest tickets here and a couple of others ...im 99%sure anyway lol