Salmon and trout fishing in Scotland
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River Tummel
This is a large system of rivers and lochs much
altered by the impact of hydro electric schemes but it continues
to produce some excellent fishing opportunities. Its headwaters
drain Loch Laidon on Rannoch Moor, and extend via Lochs Errochty
and Garry to the River Tilt, a vast area of the highlands. The
infant River Tummel leaves the Loch Rannoch and continues its
journey through Dunalastair Reservoir a shallow loch with a huge
variety of insect life and some very large brown trout. From
there the river continues to Loch Tummel and onwards to Pitlochry.
This water contains some very interesting trout fishing. Loch
Faskally is fed by two rivers the Tummel and the Garry. The Garry
and its tributaries the Bruar and Errochty are affected by hydro
electric schemes but the the River Tilt offers some salmon fishing.
Below Faskally, the river is a large freestone river and it contains
large numbers of brown trout and grayling.
West Haugh and Dunfallandy salmon fishing
beat on the River Tummel.
The beat extends for about three quarters of a mile,
mostly double bank and has reasonable access and car parking facilities.
There are seven named pools that allow the beat to fish well at
almost any sensible water height. All of the water is good for
fly fishing but spinning is also allowed. Best period is February
to June with end of April /beginning of May the peak time. From
May to July there are usually grilse and a few sea trout running
and these are often caught by the angler who is up early or out
late. August can be a dour month, it just depends upon rainfall.
Fishing perks up again in October when the autumn fish arrive.
The season is from January 15 until October 15.
Recommended tackle for fly fishing is a fifteen foot rod during
normal flows (a longer rod can be used with benefit in the springtime
if the water is high) . In the summer a shorter double handed
rod or a single handed rod is sufficient. Best flies are Willie
Gunn and Black & Yellow tube flies in the spring and Ally's
Shrimp, Tummel Shrimp and Executioner later on. Chest waders and
a wading staff are recommended. Contact
Ally for details.
Permit price varies according to the week. For 2006, the minimum
price is £24/rod/day and the maximum price during peak
season is £48/rod/day. Discounts are available for groups
or for multiple day lets. Maximum number of rods allowed is
six. The
owner appreciates catch and release on this beat.
Brown trout and grayling fishing on Lower R Tummel
Pitlochry Angling Club fishing includes left
bank of the river from the Recreation Park in Pitlochry to the
Bridge
at
Ballinluig
and
right bank from below Milton of Fonab Caravan site to
the Bridge at Ballinluig. This stretch of the river is offers
very good trout fishing. It is used by SANA for international
fly fishing qualifying competions and several angling clubs
for competitions. There are some excellent brown trout to four
or five pounds and grayling over two pounds. Fly fishing really
starts about mid April with hatches of Dark Olives and March
Browns, then smaller olives and the Yellow May Dun appears. Grannom
and other caddis are abundant as are stioneflies. Dry fly, wet
fly or deep nymphing are the usual tactics. Fly only fishing
until July. Permits cost £5 per day £20 per week and £50
per season and are available from Tourist Office, Pitlochry, Ballinluig
Service Station
or Ballinluig
Post Office.
Brown trout and grayling fishing on
Upper R Tummel
If you enjoy bushwhacking, rough terrain, difficult
wading and real wild fishing this is the place for you. There
are lots of small tout and quite a few big fish in this river
that is controlled by Clunie Dam and extends down to Loch Faskally
a few miles below. A small light rod is best for tight casting
between the trees. Caddis and olives are plentiful. This is a
beautiful piece of unspoilt river but its best for fit and
active fly fishermen. Permits cost £2 per day or £10 per season
from Pitlochry Angling Club via Tourist Office Pitlochry.
Booking
Any private fishing described may be booked by e-mail giving
me a note of the dates and number of rods required, subject to
availability. A deposit will be requested to confirm the booking.
Deposits will be forfeited in the event of cancellation, unless
the fishing can be successfully re-let. Guides/ghillies may be
provided. Fly casting and trout, sea trout and salmon fishing
instruction of any type can be arranged.
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