ESK (Egton to Sleights)
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Jim Pullen
- Posts: 2237
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:21 am
- Location: Darlington
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: ESK (Egton to Sleights)
I see the EA have finally got round to adding the gauge at Sleights. Don't know how it compares for paddling levels, though.
Re: ESK (Egton to Sleights)
Having done this run a couple of times now, a group of us did Egton Bridge to Whitby this weekend. Fantastic paddle but got some grief from a farmer at Sleights. Gave us the classic "Get orf moi laaaand" bit complete with sweeping arm gestures and much pointing. He declared that we weren't allowed upriver of the road bridge at Sleights. No idea who he thought this was agreed with. First time we'd got any gip. Still... I suppose it gives some people a hobby.
Egton Bridge - MAJOR ACCESS HASSLES!
So last Saturday, we decided to paddle down from Egton Bridge to Whitby. A trip we have done on several occasions before.
We encountered major opposition from the owner of the Egton Estate, his wife and his son.
They declared we were breaking the law, would get lawyers involved and would damage fish stocks if we went on “his” bit of the river.
They also were most perturbed that we may disturb fishermen. We politely pointed out that it wasn’t actually fishing season.
Furthermore, they were adamant that NO-ONE EVER had canoed or kayaked the Esk as it was ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN!!!! They refused to believe that there were blogs on the internet recording paddles or that it was mentioned in a guide. The outrage reached purple-vein levels when we admitted that we did this run a couple of times a year.
As our original intention was to put-in behind the public toilets which was their land, we offered to access the river from the stepping stones a little upstream which are part of a public footpath. The response to this was that they owned the stepping stones as well and that kayaks were illegal on public footpaths. If we put there, we would still be breaking the law and would be prosecuted and anyway, if we wanted to canoe and river, why didn’t we go to the Spey? (Seriously…)
I suppose we could have just ignored them and put off the public right of way anyway but they had seen our cars and frankly we didn’t want to leave such tempting targets of retribution.
So we re-loaded all the boats and went the two miles downstream to Grosmont where we accessed the river at the ford. This meant missing out the first couple of miles which are the most interesting. While there, we met and spoke to the owner of the land in that particular location, He told us he was more than happy to let kayakers access the river (as long as it wasn’t the height of the fishing season), that he thought canoeing looked great and as far as he was concerned left no ecological footprint whatsoever. (What a luvverly fella!)
Subsequently, we discovered from various locals that the chap who gave us such grief is renowned in the area for antics like this. We also once again met some resistance while portaging Sleights weir.
No the least stressful of paddles in the end.
We encountered major opposition from the owner of the Egton Estate, his wife and his son.
They declared we were breaking the law, would get lawyers involved and would damage fish stocks if we went on “his” bit of the river.
They also were most perturbed that we may disturb fishermen. We politely pointed out that it wasn’t actually fishing season.
Furthermore, they were adamant that NO-ONE EVER had canoed or kayaked the Esk as it was ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN!!!! They refused to believe that there were blogs on the internet recording paddles or that it was mentioned in a guide. The outrage reached purple-vein levels when we admitted that we did this run a couple of times a year.
As our original intention was to put-in behind the public toilets which was their land, we offered to access the river from the stepping stones a little upstream which are part of a public footpath. The response to this was that they owned the stepping stones as well and that kayaks were illegal on public footpaths. If we put there, we would still be breaking the law and would be prosecuted and anyway, if we wanted to canoe and river, why didn’t we go to the Spey? (Seriously…)
I suppose we could have just ignored them and put off the public right of way anyway but they had seen our cars and frankly we didn’t want to leave such tempting targets of retribution.
So we re-loaded all the boats and went the two miles downstream to Grosmont where we accessed the river at the ford. This meant missing out the first couple of miles which are the most interesting. While there, we met and spoke to the owner of the land in that particular location, He told us he was more than happy to let kayakers access the river (as long as it wasn’t the height of the fishing season), that he thought canoeing looked great and as far as he was concerned left no ecological footprint whatsoever. (What a luvverly fella!)
Subsequently, we discovered from various locals that the chap who gave us such grief is renowned in the area for antics like this. We also once again met some resistance while portaging Sleights weir.
No the least stressful of paddles in the end.
Re: ESK (Egton to Sleights)
As a follow up, does anyone know what the ownership situation is at the road bridge in Egton Bridge? There is a gate and a path down to the river on the south side. Having looked at a local fishing forum, it implies that the vicinity of the bridge is not in the Estate's ownership. Any more info would be appreciated?
Re: ESK (Egton to Sleights)
Paddled the section from Grosmont to Ruswarp yesterday at fantastic levels. When we got to the area just above the weir and we got out, someone attached to the boat rental (about 100m below where we got out) approached us and enquired about where we'd got in, and whether it was above Sleights weir. She said that a charge of £5 per boat was made to access the water here (and signs said a charge was made/permission needed) but she would let us off this time. The signs don't actually say that you need to pay or have permission if you are just landing here! At £5 per boat to cross 5m of land it would be cheaper to continue into Whitby and pay for parking, plus you can get the best fish and chips in the world afterwards!)
Parking fee at Grosmont for over 2 hours is £4.80 (trip took 1hr 44mins paddling at just under 3ft on the Grosmont ford guage, but plus shuttle and changing and faff you'll be cutting it very fine if you try for less than 2 hours!)
Parking fee at Grosmont for over 2 hours is £4.80 (trip took 1hr 44mins paddling at just under 3ft on the Grosmont ford guage, but plus shuttle and changing and faff you'll be cutting it very fine if you try for less than 2 hours!)
Re: ESK (Egton to Sleights)
Went on this 30 years ago,water level had been running at 1m high thru the gorge section but i bottled out when i saw all the trees logjams in the river.went back the next day and water was a foot deep.things went okay nothing exciting until i met a fisherman on the bank in the gorge section who went apeshit.he started whipping his fly fishing line at me then throwing rocks.I called him a tit and made to get out of my kayak where on he ran off screaming abuse.30 seconds later i am past and when i got a bit further downstream near my car there was a local bobby/fed/bizzy waiting who threatened to arrest me.The fisherman was there and he had said to the policeman i had threatened him.Laughed at the bizzy who took car registratio and my name address etc, walked towards the fishman who ran off shouting he was gonna get me "done in" as he was a gangsta from teeside.got in my car drove home.Not the best day out but i have disliked fishpeople ever since.Needless to say no assasination attempts were made.
Re: ESK (Egton to Sleights) - UPDATE March 2022
One of my favourie paddles but ridden with access issues. We used to get in in the middle of Egton Bridge until faced with the chinless upper class outrage of the local land owner (who seems to be renowned locally for his near medieval attitude). Been informed recently his son has taken over both the estate and the tw*ttish attitude. Also - usually get some hassle portaging round Sleights weir. Usually involves the Great British "GERRORRF MOI LARRND!" However - this can be avoided by using the fish pass river left. Just check for trees etc stuck in it first!
Anyway - what follows is a summary of how to get away with it!
Firstly - be aware that access requires speed, stealth and discretion!
Best time to do this is outside angling season to avoid the knuckle-draggers that particular pastime seems to attract.
Limit your numbers to six paddlers absolute max. Park cars in Whitby Marina long stay right by the slipway. Get all your gear on ready to hit the water as quick as possible.
Take a maximum of three cars to the lay-by which is just to the west of Egton Bridge. Approach this from the west, turning right at Egton to avoid Egton Bridge (and unwanted attention). Set satnav for "Broom House," and go just past under the railway bridge. Lay-by is on your right.
Get in the river directly opposite the lay-by and set off without delay.
The idea is to hammer through Egton Bridge as quickly as possible. But be aware that at the moment there is a tree down completely block the river a short distance after the put-in. Best way round is river right immediately behind the fallen trunk. Then take the right hand fork down the small weir and hop over the stepping stones just after. Lot of hassle but you should be relatively hidden from view this route.
I often hum the theme to "Mission Impossible," or "Where Eagles Dare," to help the atmosphere.
After the stepping stones, there shouldn't be any more obstructions apart from having to scrape over the rocks is there's a lack of water. Try and stay discreet just below Egton Bridge as this is directly alongside the wannabe Lord of the Manor's house. If you are lucky he will be deflowering local virgins or something and not be about. Past here you are relatively home free (for a bit at least). The landowner from Grosmont is a lot nicer bloke and usually happy to see you.
Be aware though, that there are the usual "No canoeing / boating etc." signs up all the way down. However, a quick inspection will prove that these have been erected by an angling association and therefore should be treated with teh contempt they deserve!
Its a nice run then the Sleights. The weir needs to be by-passed either by portaging river right or via the stepped fish pass river left. However - as noted above, be prepared for hassle.
Once back in the river, you are home free. Time your run to hit Ruswarp and couple of hours either side of high tide and a fun slide down the chute on Ruswarp weir will bring you onto the tidal section and back to the marina slipway.
Good luck - and if you get caught, you've never heard of me!
Anyway - what follows is a summary of how to get away with it!
Firstly - be aware that access requires speed, stealth and discretion!
Best time to do this is outside angling season to avoid the knuckle-draggers that particular pastime seems to attract.
Limit your numbers to six paddlers absolute max. Park cars in Whitby Marina long stay right by the slipway. Get all your gear on ready to hit the water as quick as possible.
Take a maximum of three cars to the lay-by which is just to the west of Egton Bridge. Approach this from the west, turning right at Egton to avoid Egton Bridge (and unwanted attention). Set satnav for "Broom House," and go just past under the railway bridge. Lay-by is on your right.
Get in the river directly opposite the lay-by and set off without delay.
The idea is to hammer through Egton Bridge as quickly as possible. But be aware that at the moment there is a tree down completely block the river a short distance after the put-in. Best way round is river right immediately behind the fallen trunk. Then take the right hand fork down the small weir and hop over the stepping stones just after. Lot of hassle but you should be relatively hidden from view this route.
I often hum the theme to "Mission Impossible," or "Where Eagles Dare," to help the atmosphere.
After the stepping stones, there shouldn't be any more obstructions apart from having to scrape over the rocks is there's a lack of water. Try and stay discreet just below Egton Bridge as this is directly alongside the wannabe Lord of the Manor's house. If you are lucky he will be deflowering local virgins or something and not be about. Past here you are relatively home free (for a bit at least). The landowner from Grosmont is a lot nicer bloke and usually happy to see you.
Be aware though, that there are the usual "No canoeing / boating etc." signs up all the way down. However, a quick inspection will prove that these have been erected by an angling association and therefore should be treated with teh contempt they deserve!
Its a nice run then the Sleights. The weir needs to be by-passed either by portaging river right or via the stepped fish pass river left. However - as noted above, be prepared for hassle.
Once back in the river, you are home free. Time your run to hit Ruswarp and couple of hours either side of high tide and a fun slide down the chute on Ruswarp weir will bring you onto the tidal section and back to the marina slipway.
Good luck - and if you get caught, you've never heard of me!