Ripponden Fly Fishers have leased the fishing rights of Ryburn Reservoir (Ripponden) from Yorkshire Water for over 50 years. We are a small friendly club, currently of 50 members, who are committed to, angling in general and flyfishing in particular. We try to manage the reservoir as a sustainable, (fly-only) brown trout fishery; accordingly, fishing is by artificial fly only, using traditional methods.
The reservoir holds a good natural stock of wild Brown Trout but we stock once or twice in early season to compensate for the fish taken by our members, natural losses and losses from predators. This policy makes for challenging fishing at times - but we make no excuses for that, since we have at our disposal a most beautiful, 'loch type' environment in which to pursue our sport.
The club has a boathouse and two sturdy HDPE boats (8ft & 12ft) for members use only. The club provides sets of oars, life jackets and a drogue. Petrol outboard motors are not allowed, but members may use their own battery powered outboards.
Yorkshire Water provides a public car park at the reservoir which members may use. Because the reservoir is situated in a steeply sloping valley, members need to be reasonably fit and fully mobile in order to gain access to the water. Unfortunately, because of the topography of the site there is no provision for access by wheelchair users.
Whether fishing from the bank or by boat, Ryburn Reservoir offers challenging fishing for Brown Trout in idyllic surroundings.