Fishing At Swallowdale

Norfolk Fishing Holiday

Swallowdale Holiday Home is the perfect waterside accommodation for a self-catering Norfolk fishing holiday. Whether you're an experienced angler or trying fishing for the first time, the Norfolk Broads is an ideal spot. Serious anglers will find it tempting to spend their entire holiday fishing in the stunning Norfolk countryside.

In recent years, coarse fishing holidays in the Norfolk Broads National Park have become increasingly popular. The whole family can enjoy fun fishing together on the Broads waters.

Fishing Holidays In Norfolk

Swallowdale offers a private 33-foot waterside deck overlooking the River Yare, where guests can moor a day boat or fish any time, day or night. If you’re feeling adventurous and decide to hire a day boat during your stay, you can explore all the scenic fishing spots along the River Yare. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, stunning countryside, and abundant wildlife as you fish in beautiful Norfolk.

So why not make Swallowdale Holiday Home in Brundall your next getaway?

Norfolk Broads Fishing

The Norfolk Broads is the largest area in the UK for free fishing, with over 125 miles of beautiful, navigable waterways.

The coarse fishing season on the Norfolk Broads begins on June 16th and ends on March 14th. To fish, you’ll need a valid Environment Agency fishing rod licence. You can purchase a 1-day, 8-day, or 12-month licence from the Post Office. If you cannot present a valid fishing licence when asked, you risk a fine of up to £2,500. Children under 13 do not need a licence, while children aged 13 to 16 require one, though it is free. A fishing licence helps fund improvements to the Norfolk Broads. It’s not worth breaking the law for just a few pounds!

River Yare

The River Yare stretches approximately 52 miles, beginning in Dereham, about 15 miles west of the vibrant city of Norwich, and ending at Breydon Water in Great Yarmouth, where it meets the North Sea.

During the summer, the River Yare can become quite busy with day boats, sailing yachts, and holidaymakers, which can affect fishing at some Norfolk holiday cottages. Fortunately, the river is wide enough in Brundall, and with a speed limit of only five mph, it does not impact fishing at Swallowdale, making it one of the best fishing cottages on the Norfolk Broads.

The River Yare is tidal, experiencing two high and two low tides every 24 hours. Tides can vary significantly from -0.8 meters to 1.18 meters above sea level. Click here for up-to-date tide levels.

The picturesque village of Brundall is home to a yacht club near Coldham Hall. On Sunday mornings during the summer, yacht races pass by Swallowdale. These races last a couple of hours and offer a spectacle for visitors to enjoy.

Fishing At Swallowdale

There is a bait fridge in the shed to store your fishing bait and storage space for all your fishing equipment. There are several fishing tackle shops around the Broads, with the nearest one for your Norfolk fishing holiday at Swallowdale being P W Angling, just a 15-minute drive from our cottage. They offer a wide range of tackle and fresh and frozen fishing bait.

Adjustable-height rod rests are supplied for fishing off the deck during your Norfolk fishing holiday. There are also butt rod rest stands in the shed.

Norfolk Broads Fishing Rules

Anglers must follow several rules and regulations when fishing in the Norfolk Broads.

These rules are to protect fish populations and ensure the Broads remain a sustainable ecosystem for future generations. Some of the main rules and regulations include:

  1. Fishing licenses: Anglers must have a valid Environment Agency fishing license to fish in the Broads. Licenses can be purchased online or at local tackle shops.
  2. Fishing seasons: The coarse fishing season in the Broads runs from June 16 to March 14, while the pike fishing season runs from October 1 to March 31.
  3. Fishing methods: Only legal fishing methods are allowed in the Broads, including float fishing, ledgering, and lure fishing.
  4. Fish size and bag limits: There are restrictions on the size and number of fish that you can catch in the Broads, which vary depending on the fish species and specific location.
  5. Fishing locations: Anglers are required to fish only in designated locations within the Broads. In Nature reserves and protected zones, fishing is not allowed.

Fishing Methods

Fishing methods used in the Norfolk Broads vary depending upon the species of fish you are targeting. Some of the most popular fishing techniques in the Broads include:

Float Fishing

Float fishing is a popular method to catch roach, perch, and bream in the Broads. This method involves attaching a float to your fishing line and using it to detect when a fish takes the bait. Various baits for float fishing include maggots, worms, and sweetcorn.

Ledgering

Ledgering is a method used to catch carp and pike in the Broads. This method involves attaching a weight to your fishing line and casting it into the water. The bait's suspended above the weight, and the angler waits for a fish to take the bait.

Lure Fishing

Lure fishing is a method to catch pike and perch in the Broads. This method uses artificial lures, such as spinners and plugs, to attract fish. Lure fishing requires some skill and time to use the lures effectively.

Feeder Fishing

Feeder fishing is a method to catch bream and tench in the Broads. This method uses a small container called a feeder filled with ground bait and attached to the fishing line. The bait is then dispersed into the water, attracting fish.

Fishing Tips

How To Unhook A Fish

When fishing the Broads, it's crucial to unhook a fish properly. Always wet your hands before touching a fish. Never use a towel or cloth, as this can remove the protective layer of slime from the fish. Always use a wet unhooking mat and hold the fish as close to the ground as possible to avoid it slipping from your hands. Always make sure you have a disgorger to hand to help with the removal of the hook. Avoid using barbed hooks as they may cause damage to the fish and be very difficult to remove. Weigh the fish using a correct weighing sling and scales if required.

If you want to take a photo of your catch, please have your camera ready before you take the fish out of the water, so that you don't have to worry about the fish. After weighing and taking a photo, carefully return the fish to the water as soon as possible. We would love your pictures of the fish you catch at Swallowdale. If you would like to share them, please email them to us.

Keepnets

When using a keepnet, it's crucial to ensure that the water is of adequate depth and that the keepnet is secured to the bank or boat correctly. When placing fish into the keepnet, do so quickly and gently to minimise potential harm.

Additionally, refrain from overcrowding the keepnet or placing large fish inside, as this can cause unnecessary stress on the fish. If you use a keepnet, limit the duration the fish are kept inside to the shortest possible time before carefully releasing them back into their natural habitat.

Norfolk Broads Wildlife

Never leave a fishing rod unattended, as wildlife can get tangled in the line. There’s also a risk of a boat catching the line and pulling the rod into the water. Remove any caught-up fishing lines and hooks where it is safe to do so and discard them in a bin, as this can be very dangerous for wildlife. If you notice any birds close, remove your line from the water until they pass, as they could get caught up in your fishing line. If fishing in shallow water, beware that some birds can dive a metre deep for a baited hook. If you have to use a keepnet, avoid leaving it unattended.

Fishing Etiquette

Don't drop litter. Discard in a bin any rubbish you have while on your Norfolk fishing holiday. Be courteous to other people using the river, including passing boats.

Fish Species Found On The Broads

The Norfolk Broads has many fish species, including Carp, Bream, Eels, Rudd, Roach, Tench, and Pike.

Carp

You'll find carp throughout the Norfolk Broads rivers, with the River Yare being one of the most popular for them.

Carp were initially introduced to the Broads accidentally in the 1960s when fisheries flooded.

Using sweetcorn, meat, bread, or boilies, carp up to 30 lbs can be caught. Pre-baiting to attract carp and keeping them in a particular area is highly recommended.

Bream

Bream are bottom-feeding fish that are generally found in large shoals. Bream of 3 to 4lb are very common in the waters of the Broads. It’s not unknown to occasionally catch bream of up to 7lb in weight, using bread, maggots, casters, or sweetcorn.

Rudd

Rudd are a fairly rare fish to catch now in the Norfolk Broads. A few areas on the Broads rudd are still being caught, such as Hickling Broads, Thurne, and Trinity Broads. Rudd is commonly caught float fishing around reed beds and tends to be between 3 and 10oz in weight. The best bait for catching Rudd is sweetcorn, maggots, and bread.

Perch

Perch are fresh-water fish known for their striking appearance, featuring a pattern of dark vertical stripes along their sleek bodies, complemented by shades of green and gold. The River Yare provides an ideal habitat for perch, with its slow-flowing stretches, hidden nooks, and submerged vegetation offering ample opportunities for them to thrive.

Roach

Roach are bottom-feeders that swim in large shoals, ranging from 2oz to 2lb in size. The best fishing method is float fishing using sweetcorn, maggots, and bread. Roach are recognised, as they have a silver body and red fins.

Tench

Tench are olive in colour with small red eyes. They tend to be between 2 and 5lb in the Norfolk Broads. Tench are typically bottom-feeders and are found near reed beds and lilies. The best baits for Tench are sweetcorn, maggots, and bread.

Pike

Pike fishing is for the experienced angler as you will require specialist tackle and skilful handling techniques. Pike can weigh up to 20lb and are common across the Broads. Pike up to 40lb has been caught in the past. Pike are predatory fish, the best baits are dead or artificial lures.