Fish Pass - Beat 5: Castle Hill

About Beat 5: Castle Hill

Important notice – Due to high water temperatures (exceeding 18c) and its impact on fish welfare, we’ve made the decision to temporarily close this Beat. We’ll be assessing conditions over the coming weeks and will open this Beat when safe to do so. Apologies for any inconvenience caused by this. Castle Hill on the River Bray derives its headwaters from the slopes of Exmoor; as such the water quality is good and benefits from fast flows. The beat comprises a number of pools and glides interspersed by riffled sections. Again, Castle hill has produced some of the larger trout, with brown trout over 1lb landed in the 2019 season. Furthermore, the 2km of double bank provides anglers with peaceful, solitary fishing.

Fish Species

Brown Trout

Sea Trout

Salmon

Season Dates

Start Date

15th March

End Date

1st October

Information & restrictions

Fly only, single barbless hooks to be used at all times when fishing catch and release. All trout under 8” must be returned. 1 brown trout of over 8” or 1 sea trout of over 10” may be retained per day. 1 salmon may be retained per day subject to national and local byelaws. Voluntary catch and release of all species strongly encouraged. Sorry, no dogs. Please use hand sanitiser before and after opening and closing Gates. Please park considerately without obstruction of gates/entrances. Please follow all government guidelines on Covid-19. Brown trout, Sea trout and Salmon season 15th March - 30 September.

Directions & access

To navigate to this Beat via Fish Pass app on your mobile device using maps, scroll to the bottom of this Beat page and click “Tap to explore” on the map, then tap the Navigation Arrow Icon on the map. From South Molton, take the B3226 north out of town then, after approximately 2km take the left turn signed Filleigh, Swimbridge. Continue on this road for 2.5km to Stags Head and then turn right signed East Buckland, West Buckland. The car park is 50m on the left. The beat is accessed by walking back to the main road, crossing over it and entering through the field gate located east of Filleigh Bridge. Both car park and gate have signs. Once on the beat walk downstream on the left hand bank crossing the river via the footbridges provide. Please do not use any foot bridge signed ‘no access’. The token box is on the fence at the gateway at the end of the first field down from the road bridge.