This is one of the most photographed tarns in Lakeland and comes close to Mount Fuji in the world snapshot rankings. Hardly surprising, the setting is beautiful with a perfectly placed lay by for tackling up while you survey the water for signs of rising fish. This delightful small fishery lies alongside the A593 Ambleside to Coniston Road some three miles from Skelwith Bridge.

Yew Tree Tarn is controlled by Coniston, Torver and District Angling Association who stock the fishery with brown trout averaging around a pound. It is a lovely place to spend a few hours – particularly in the evenings when the fish rise freely and the other occupants of the lay by have finished their sandwiches and gone home. Much of the tarn is surrounded by woodland or marshy banks and it pays to wear waders

The tarn is shallow and weedy in places and best fished with floating line and nymphs or dries. All the standard patterns work – results will depend on how well you use them! 

Wet Sleddale reservoir lies at the head of the Lowther giving some consistency to the flow. During the summer months this does help to keep the Lowther fishable when wet weather and spates affect other rivers in the area. The reservoir itself is fishable for brown trout during July, August and September on the Eden Rivers Trust’s ‘Go Wild’ scheme.