The Taw rises at 1700 (and something) feet above sea level, at Taw Head, right in the middle of one of the most remote spots on Dartmoor ( it can’t really be called a river at this early stage, in fact it is little more than a bog! ). From here it flows northeast past Okehampton and on reaching the A377 turns northwest.
By this stage the Taw has collected the little Yeo and west of Chulmleigh the waters of the Little Dart swell the main channel into what can be truly described as a river.
From Eggesford to the junction with the River Mole the fishing is interesting, but a little unpredictable. From Junction Pool down to the sea however, the River Taw offers some of the best game fishing in the country and although beats such as The Junction itself are as renowned for being extremely difficult to get a rod on as they are famous for huge numbers of big fish, there are opportunities further down to experience truly classic salmon and sea-trout fishing with some wonderful wild brownies thrown in for good measure.
After wending its way through acres of open grazing and some outstanding deciduous woodland the river eventually spills out into the sea at Barnstaple, where it shares its estuary with the equally famous river Torridge.
The estuary offers the chance to fish for bass and mullet with conventional tackle and also affords the angler the opportunity to try fly fishing for them as well.
Saltwater fly fishing is in its infancy in England and offers a new and exciting extra string to the game fishing enthusiast’s bow.
It is a great river and I love it.
