The River Taw

The River Taw's huge catchment is unique amongst Devon rivers in reaching out to both the great moors; Dartmoor and Exmoor.

The Taw itself rises on Dartmoor; its two most important tributaries the River Mole and its tributary, the River Bray, rise on Exmoor. As a result the river is often defined with reference to its three parts - the Upper Taw to the junction with the Mole, the Lower Taw below the junction, the Mole to the junction with the Upper Taw. The river reaches the sea at Bideford Bay.

The River Taw is one of the largest Devon rivers and provides a good habitat for both flora and fauna. Some stretches of the river are protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The three sections of the River Taw

The Lower Taw - below Junction Pool

Environment Agency Gauge

The Upper Taw - above Junction Pool

Environment Agency Gauge

The Mole and Bray - above Junction Pool

Environment Agency Gauge

As a spate river the Taw responds quickly to rainfall producing rapid rises and falls in river levels.

While the Taw’s salmon and sea trout fishing gives the river its reputation, there is also good brown trout fishing, especially on the upper reaches of the system. Like any major salmon and sea trout river in the UK catches do not compare to the halcyon days of the 1920s and 30s. However, given sufficient rainfall, the river continues to fish well through the season.

When salmon stop taking it is possible to fish on into the night for sea trout, for which the Taw is rightly famous with the complete spectrum from 1lb peal up to double figure fish.

Throughout its length the fishing is owned by riparian owners, clubs, syndicates, and hotels. Some of the fishing is run on a commercial basis which means that rods are available on a season or day basis for local or visiting anglers.

View illustated map of the River Taw

View the Google map of the River Taw

The Taw-Torridge estuary is part of the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, where wading birds, including lapwings, curlews and redshanks, can be easily spotted.

Checking for Flooding on the River Taw, Devon

Check for flooding on the River Taw

Call Floodline for advice

Telephone: 0345 988 1188

For the deaf and speech impaired use:

Textphone: 0345 602 6340

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Find out more about call charges

A lovely Taw hen fish taken from the Lower Braggamarsh beat by former RTFCA Chairman Alex Gibson.

Fishing the River Taw

Seasons

Salmon

1 March - 30 September

Sea Trout & Brown Trout

15 March - 30 September

Methods

Fly fishing is permitted all season
Spinning for salmon is only permitted until 31 March
No other method or bait fishing is permitted

Limitations

Salmon

No salmon to be retained before 16 June
No salmon greater than 70cm in length to be retained after 31 July

Sea Trout

Size limit 25cm

Brown Trout

Size limit 20cm

RTFCA RECOMMENDS that you practise catch and release whenever possible. No rod caught salmon or sea trout to be sold or offered for sale.

Glossary of Fishing terms used on this website

Fishing Information

Pdf downloads are available for anyone to read and print out if they wish.

Salmon Weight/ Length
Conversion Chart

Atlantic Salmon Recognition

RTFCA Good Practice Fishing Guide

River Taw tides, flooding and weather

Environment Agency Gauges

Lower Taw: Environment Agency Gauge

Upper Taw: Environment Agency Gauge

River Mole: Environment Agency Gauge

View map of North Devon and the River Taw

Tides Chart - Barnstaple.
Other areas can be found by searching the Tideschart website

Met office - North Devon
Other areas can be found by searching the Met Office website

Important phone numbers!

If you observe any serious environmental incident on the river - such as illegal fishing, pollution, poaching, or fish in distress - please call:

The Environmental Agency Incident Hotline
0800 807060 (rivers)
The IFCA Incident Hotline:
07740 175479 (estuary)

Where to Fish
& Accommodation

Trout Fishing

Trout fishing opportunities are available on the Mole and Upper Taw. The Mole Resort and Fox and Hounds Hotel listed on this page provide trout fishing in addition to salmon and sea trout. Lower reaches of the River Taw also contain trout. Trout fishing on lower beats is better when water levels are not high.