Historic images show fishing as part of life in North Yorkshire
With the arrival of spring, there’s the opportunity of spending time on the riverbank to try and land the next big catch.
Discover thousands of fascinating images from North Yorkshire’s past. Browse our extensive collection and own a piece of history today.
The coarse fishing season started last month, and here we take a look back in our archives at some of the images that show people’s passion for angling.
There are also historical images of sea fishing, including an impressive tunny that was caught by Colonel Stapleton Cotton in Scarborough on 3 September 1930.
There are also moments captured along the rivers of North Yorkshire, including a woman fishing from Skipton-on-Swale bridge in the 20th century. Children are pictured watching on as a man lands a fish close to Thornton Bridge on the River Swale also during the 20th century.
North Yorkshire Archives holds thousands of historic photos - you can browse the collection through the online shop.
If you have any further information about any of the images on this page, our archivists would be keen to hear about it. Please email yny@northyorks.gov.uk.
Two boys fishing at Whitby Harbour in the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
A 630-pound tunny fish caught on 3 September 1930 by Colonel Stapleton Cotton and landed at Scarborough.
A fisherman from Runswick Bay sorts his fishing nets and creels during the late 19th century. Photograph by Graystone Bird, from the ‘Tour of Yorkshire: coast’ photographic collection.
Youngsters try their hand at sea fishing off Whitby Pier in the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Fishing at Swinsty Reservoir in the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
A woman fishing along from Skipton-on-Swale bridge in the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Fishing at Cowbar Nab during the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Fisherfolk of Filey, Plate 5, from “Costumes of Yorkshire in 1814. Photograph by George Walker.
Members of Harrogate fishing club are pictured with a trophy in about 1908.
Mr and Mrs McKernan are pictured fishing together on the River Leven during the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
A fisherman assesses his catch on the banks of the River Aire in the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Women fishing at Milby Lock on the River Ure in the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Children watch as a man lands a fish near Thornton Bridge on the River Swale during the 20th century. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Swinton Park Estate fishing rules from 1924. From the Jervaulx Abbey estate archive.
A fishing account book belonging to S.T. Scrope III and dating from about 1856 to 1865.