Stewart Collingswood

Everyone has an opinion, when it comes to choosing the best salmon fly. I’ve seen the most dog eared twisted and gnarled flies catch fish. Anglers lovingly grooming some tatty charred remains – Ben Gunn castaway that looks as though it has been fired out of a cannon.

Desperately trying to get it back into shape so it can repeat that sublime magic trick. Hooking a salmon. 

Choosing the right Salmon Flies in Scotland

Under-dressed, overdressed, too big, too small. Too heavy, too light, too long too short. Wrong materials, old patterns, new patterns. Hitched, un-hitched, rapala knot, single turle, double turle, lucky and unlucky. Slow movement, fast movement.

And all these observations every time you open your fly box. Your poor brain processing speed is like the wheel of death, buffering your live stream. If you are like me then picking out a winner is a tough gig. I catch so few salmon that experimentation is a high-risk occupation. So, I tend to go for flies that have done the business. The fish with an element of confidence ploy.

Variety is the spice of life..right?

The shear amount of salmon fly patterns should give you a clue. Books so thick that you could use them to stand on to change a light bulb, full of variants and variations. Potbellied pig, red Francis, cascade, atomic cascade, turbo stoats’ tail, pig Francis, cascading pig.

Who knows. Not me. Right place? Right time? Maybe. 

Most of us rotate the squad like Pep Guardiola on a European night. Most of our big guns get a run out during a session. The squad is punctuated by some new signing hot prospect. A hot shot that has rewritten the record books on the continent. A hot shot recommended by the scouts on a distant forum or caught your eye on Ebay. Another must have sure thing that will muster a fish like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat.

Tried and tested salmon flies, or experiment with new patterns?

These new signings don’t have long to make an impact. Alan Shearer is in your fly box, is nearly back to full fitness and he wants his place back. With each empty cast you remind yourself of Shearers glory days. Not long now until you bring the new lad off and put on the tried and tested war horse.

Stoats Tail (The Alan Shearer of the fly box)

My Alan Shearer is a street fighting Stoats Tail that looks like it’s been chewed by an escalator. Size twelve hook, tatty black hackle, silver wrapping now flapping with a hint of a clipped yellow stump. I think I may have found it in a tree. Those type of found flies are my favourites. Lost by an unlucky angler, and found by a lucky one. Or so I would like to imagine.

I start and finish every session with it. Now most of the time I use it on the dropper with a lightly dressed Willie Gunn on point. Are they better than anything else in the box? Who knows. Certainly not me. But when you do manage to perform the magic trick and actually hook an Atlantic Salmon. The fly that cracks the code is one that stays in the memory every time the box is opened. 

Terminal Chancer – James Gilbraith (author and fisherman)

This short piece written by James Gilbraith, author of two excellent fishing books. Terminal Chancer and Hooked on Hope.

Last September I was fishing for salmon on the Tulchan “A” beat of the River Spey.

It was a real please and privilege to meet Head Ghillie John Anderson. John has spent 40 years fine tuning his art on the river Spey. A man at one with nature, the river, and salmon. He has a deeper sense of understanding, than just catching fish.

John also looks after the “Kings Hut”. A small traditional fishing hut on the left bank of the Spey, accessible only by boat. A Mecca to anyone interested in classic river Spey salmon flies. I’m saying no more than that, to give away anything else, would spoil the surprise.

I was fishing with Pete and Emma Tyjas, and earlier that morning, Pete had had a brief encounter with a salmon, that sadly didn’t stick. “What fly Pete?” I asked. “A Lady Caroline”. I liked the look of it, and Pete kindly gave me one out of his box. Later that day, I had a salmon on briefly, on the same fly. This on a day when conditions were challenging with low water and bright light.

Later in the main fishing hut with John, a precious 30 minutes listening to John talking about the traditional Spey Salmon Fly patterns, and showing me examples of flies he had tied. I was hooked.

Classic river Spey Salmon Flies

We went through patterns including, The Lord March, Miss Grant, Logie, Jimmy, Countess of Seafield, Jeannie, Vivienne, Glen Lauren, Green Queen, and Lady Caroline. It was mesmerising to see the different patterns, and learn when to fish them. They are simple and timeless patterns.

If you’re interested in tying a Lady Caroline, check out this video by Davie McPhail.

John still fishes these classic patterns on the Spey and described what size and combination worked at differing water levels and conditions. It was fascinating.

As guides, we are always looking to experiment and embrace new techniques. I think sometimes it pays to look backwards. I can be highly effective to embrace the tried and tested traditional techniques that built folklore and history on these rivers. Flies that have bent rods for generations.

Tying River Spey and Dee traditional Classic salmon Flies

Such was my interest in these classic flies, that we decided to get tower and tie some up. Sourcing the materials was problematic, and many of the feathers used in these patterns are now prohibited or from protected species of birds. There are of course synthetic substitutes. Traditionally these flies were tied on heavy long shank single iron hooks, and in keeping with this process, it’s about finding a modern equivalent. We are in the process of sourcing materials, and tying our own Spey Fly patterns. I really do see that these have huge value and fish catching ability.

I asked John what would be a good source to study these fly tying materials, and he pointed us in the direction of two really excellent books.

“Spey Flies, by Bob Veverka” and Spey Flies and Dee Flies, Their history and Construction, by John Shewey.

I would conclude by this. There is something truly magical about fishing with Classic Scottish Fly Patterns. I know these are used throughout the world to great effect. Imagine the inventiveness, at the craft, the history behind each fly pattern. Imagine the green heart and split cane rods, that would have cast these flies, the silk lines, the Tweed, waxed cotton and sound of an old brass reel as a River Spey salmon pulls away on a run. As I write this, I cannot verbalise what it is about this type of angling heritage that is so special. You either get it…or not.

Enjoy your salmon fishing and given them a try. Tight Lines

Author Stewart Collingswood

How my passion for Float Tubing was formed – Shetland 1996

In the dead of night on a loch in Shetland, during the “Simmer Dim” (when it doesn’t get darker than twilight) I found myself drifting towards a pod of big browns feeding close to the lee shore of a loch on the Northern Island of Unst.

I was able to manoeuvre gently in to a stable position which allowed me to cover these fish, like an SAS sniper I remained undetected. I spotted a bigger fish moving 20ft away, and this was my focus. I was prepared, a ginked Sedgehog was gently placed it in the path of the feeding fish. In the half light, I could just see the wake it created as I twitched it in the surface, enticingly and surely in view of that fish.. All of a sudden, he kicked his tail, a massive bow wave appeared behind the fly, followed by a heavy take. I was into a very big fish..

Float Tubing or Belly Boat some basics

Float tube fishing is often overlooked as a most effective and pleasurable method of catching trout. Anglers often avoid fishing from a tube for fear of it being physically demanding or even a degree dangerous. I would argue that it is safer than using a boat, less strenuous and very relaxing.

Advantages of using a float tube:

Controlling your position is easy, even in high wind conditions.

The tube is, unlike a boat, virtually noise free.

It allows you to fish usually inaccessible parts of lochs which don’t have a boat.

It is excellent for getting very close to fish, and other wildlife.

It’s perfect for holding your position and controlling your drift.

The float tube is very comfortable – like an armchair floating in the loch.

In a spiritual sense, there’s a feeling of being at one with the elements.

Safety Features of a Float Tube/ belly boat

Most float tubes have at least two floatation chambers making sinking almost impossible. Should one of the chambers gets punctured, then the rate of deflating is usually slow, giving time to recover the situation by paddling to shallow water.

Float Tubes come in three types:

• Round float tubes
• V-shaped float tubes
• U-shaped float tubes

Most appropriate clothing for Float Tubes

For comfort and safety the following should be worn:

A well maintained, low profile (not too bulky) self inflating life vest

Polaroid glasses, which both protect the eyes from glare and, worse still the danger of being hooked by a fly.

Thermal leggings and warm socks under the waders (even in the summer).

A baseball cap or something with a brim.

A high SPF sunscreen and lip balm – being so close to the water can cause reflective sunburn.

Best fly rods for using in a float tube?

I usually equip my clients with a 10ft 5 weight Orvis Helios rod with a Rio Gold WF floater on Sage Trout Reel. Its best to load the reel with plenty of Dacron backing. I should mention that being in a float tube often gets you in front of fish that bank or boat fishing would not. So get ready for a fight when you hook one of these trophy fish, you’ll need that backing! As long casting is rarely necessary, I find that this set up gives excellent presentation at short distances. It’s far better to focus on presentation than distance, as you can always position the tube close to feeding fish. I use an 15ft leader, typically 5X Fluorocarbon, degreased. Tie the cast to the braided loop with a perfection loop.

If fishing smaller flies (16’s to 20’s) it’s advisable to drop down to either 6X or 7X. Fulling Mill Masterclass Flurocarbon is my go to.

Best fly choice when fishing from a Belly Boat

I generally recommend fishing two flies as this minimises the risk of tangles, and gives a more realistic presentation. The spacing should be 4ft dropper to tail and 11ft from the dropper to the braided loop.

Choice of fly is naturally dependent on venue and conditions, but I tend to push my clients towards dry flies. CDC hoppers, daddies, sedge patterns are effective, or you can mix it up by fishing with a nymph such as Diawl Bach’s, Gold bead Hares Ears or a Pheasant Tail nymph’s on the point.

Degreasing the leader

If you are fishing dry flies, I constantly reinforce the importance of degreasing the leader, especially in calmer conditions. This prevents the cast sitting up in the surface film, and spooking the trout. If viewed from below, it looks like a hair in a glass of water. I make my own degreasant. A mix of 30% biodegradable washing up liquid, like Whole Earth in to a tub of Orvis Original Mud. This cuts through the grease easier and gets the cast sinking very quickly. When fishing two dries, it’s also important to keep applying the treatment every 5 minutes or so.

Technique when fishing from a float tube in Scottish lochs

It pays to start with short casts with this method as fish tend not to be spooked by the tube. Begin with a short 15ft cast, and follow this with casts of 20ft, 25ft and so on, fish round an imaginary clock to cover the water methodically. Wild brown trout are opportunistic, and tend to take the fly quickly if it’s presented properly in its feeding window. So with that in mind, cast, wait for a take, if nothing happens, move on.

Rainbow Trout Techniques

The method is different for rainbows, as they will sometimes cruise around the fly for some time before taking it, so leaving the dry fly in one place can be very effective. The trick is to spot the fish, then anticipate the direction and speed it is headed. Do a quick calculation in your mind, and place the fly in to the next spot you anticipate the fish will move to, without delay so that your cast settles and sinks sub surface. If you have the right fly on, this will almost guarantee a take. Another great tip is to look carefully at the surface around your static fly and watch for any changes in the movement of water pattern. I teach my clients the trick of spotting these subtle changes in surface which prepares them to react swiftly when the fish takes.

Dry Fly Fishing from the Float Tube

When fishing dries and CDC emergers, dispel water off the CDC flies with a vigorous false cast before casting back down in a new spot. I would highly recommend CDC oil on the feather. This is like Viagra, the fly will not go down easily! However, should the fly get damp, a useful accessory is an Amadou pad. This is a fungus that absorbs water and when used in conjunction with the oil, will help to keep your flies up on the top for as long as possible.

Casting a fly in a strong wind

If the wind gets fierce, i.e. the waves are starting to come over the back of your tube, you are reaching the optimum conditions for float tubing. In these conditions, put your hood up and dap the flies by holding the fly rod almost vertical and allowing two large palmered flies like an Olive Bumble and a Kate McLaren to dance on the wave. The takes can happen as close as 10ft from the tube as you silently drift down wind, a method that can produce some explosive sport.

8lb Brown trout

Last season one of my American clients, using this method, hooked a beautiful wild brown trout of 8 lb just 20ft from the tube. Having stripped off the entire fly line it ended up towing my clients around the loch for a full 10 minutes (free of charge!).

..By the way, I lost that big Shetland brown, it slipped the hook inches from the net. Never mind, from then on I was hooked on fishing from a float tube.

In summary, if you have never tried fishing from a float tube, then you don’t really know what a great experience you are missing. Get in touch with us now, we’ll help you get out there and enjoy lots of wonderful sport.

This article details the main species of freshwater and saltwater fish found throughout the diverse regions of Scotland, and around our coast line.

Brown Trout – (Salmo trutta)

Brown trout are iconic, symbolic and abundant in Scotland. They thrive is our clean well oxygenated waters. Brown Trout (or Broonies as we Scots call them) are part of our fishing heritage and have been present in our rivers and lochs since the ice age. Wild brown trout from Scotland have been transported all over the world, to populate rivers and lochs in New Zealand, North America and Europe.

Native brown trout are hard fighting, and very popular with anglers. The current UK record Brown Trout is 31lbs 12oz (14.4kg) caught in Argyll on Loch Awe by Brian Rutland.

The trout season in Scotland is Season 15th March – 6th October. In addition to offering guided fishing trips for trout, Alba are a trade member of the Wild Trout Trust and Trout Unlimited.

Atlantic Salmon – (Salmo salar)

Atlantic Salmon are the iconic fish in Scotland. To catch a salmon in Scotland, ranks as one of the top angling achievements in the Angling World. There is a rich salmon fishing heritage in Scotland. Spey Casting originated on the banks of the River Spey and history and tradition still echoes around the Scottish Rivers. Salmon migrate from the feeding grounds at sea, to the rivers around Scotland. They are difficult to catch, because they do not feed to gain weight, when in fresh water. Seasons vary from river to river, however salmon fishing is available from January 15th to the end of November.

Choosing the best salmon river, at the best time, is a dark art. It depends on many factors, and we can help you navigate that tricky process, using local knowledge, and by keeping a finger on the pulse of recents catch rate performances and trends.

Salmon Fishing in Scotland is not as prolific as it has been in the past. This much persecuted fish is threatened and in decline, but as you can see from the graph below, they are still plentiful. Anglers in Scotland, probably contribute more to conservation than anyone.

With careful planning and using effective techniques, you can still enjoy memorable sport targeting salmon. Our fishing is all catch and release, to protect future brood stock. This is now the norm and a collective culture on the rivers in Scotland now.

Grayling – (Thymallus thymallus)

Grayling are abundant in the clean well oxygenated rivers of Scotland. They feed on a mixed diet of aquatic insects, larvae, shrimp, snail, small fish and ephemerides. The grayling was introduced to Scotland in 1855 on the River Clyde, and then spread to other rivers like the River Teviot , which then allowed them to migrate to the Tweed system and on to the Leader, Whiteadder and other tributaries.

The best grayling fishing in Scotland is in November, December and January. so this makes is a popular species to target in the close season, when trout and salmon fishing stops.

The grayling is an elegant fish, graceful and powerful. They are not “ladies of the Stream”, as often referred to, because they come in male and female form. They use the large Dorsal fin to great effect and give unparalleled sport. An average Scottish grayling is 20-30cm. 40cm fish are quite common and anything over 50cm treated a s a real specimen. Grayling are nomadic and move around, especially if they have been caught and released, however they can often shoal.

As well as offering guided grayling trips, skills classes Alba Game Fishing is a trade member of the Grayling Society.

Fly fishing is the fairest method to catch these fish and is highly effective. Euronymphing is a successful method to catch Grayling. You can bait fish for them in Scotland in certain venues, but that’s not our preference.

Sea Trout (Salmo trutta morpha trutta)

The sea trout like the salmon is anadromous (or sea-run). These are essentially brown trout that have decided to migrate to saltwater to feed, and return to the river to spawn. Sea trout can be found all around our coastline, and as the diet of shrimp, sand eel and other coastal feasts are high in protein, they can gain weight quicker than in freshwater.

Fishing for sea trout is most effective at night. It’s astounding when a seemingly quiet pool devoid of fish comes to life, with fish cascading around. There’s no doubt, these fish are very adept at hiding during daylight.

Sea trout over 10Kgs has been caught in Scotland, and this is an extremely hard fighting, acrobatic fish.

It’s also becoming more popular in Scotland to fish for sea trout in salt water, around our coast.

Pollack (Pollachius) – A saltwater predator

The Pollack or Pollock (depending on how you’d like to spell it), is a saltwater predator. It lurks in kelp (seaweed) beds, in rocky ground rich in feature and hiding spots, typically 25-40ft depth around reefs and coastline. Waiting to power upwards and attack any bait fish or sand eels, that come into vision. Once the fish grabs its food it dives rapidly itself, back to the safety of cover. This makes the initial fight when hooking a pollack quite remarkable.

Pollack fishing in Scotland is best from the shore, or from a boat.

The best fishing tackle and lures to fish for pollack are jig heads, soft plastic lures, metal jigs. Fly fishing is best using clouser minnow patterns, sparsely dressed. When fishing from the shore line, it’s always best to use a longer, powerful rod, this helps steer the fish away from the sharp reefs and in a way does less damage to the fish by scraping on the rocks. Pollack should always be netted or lifted into a pool with seaweed to protect the outer skin. When releasing the fish, throwing it head first into the water, will wake it up and help it escape a predator like a seal, waiting for an easy meal.

Pike (Esox lucius) Scotland freshwater predator

The pike is a fierce predator. As poet and fisherman Ted Hughes wrote “A killer from the egg“. If designed by the military it would be a stealth bomber and a fighter plane rolled into one. Rows of sharp teeth, angled inwards, help secure prey and and anti coagulant in the saliva mens that even if the fish escapes after a bite, it will bleed to death and continue to leave a signal trail of blood to keep the pike in pursuit. Its powerful tail, helps with sudden surges of speed, and finely tuned eyesight and a sense of smell can help it home in on a target.

Pike can grown incredibly large and the biggest Scottish pike was caught back in 1945, from Loch Lomond and weighed in at 47lb 11oz.

We can offer guided pike fishing trips throughout Scotland all year. Many of our venues are private.

The Wrasse (Ballan Wrasse, Goldsinny Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Rock Cook Wrasse and Corkwing Wrasse)

There are five species of Wrasse found in Scottish waters, and the Ballan is the biggest. Ballans offer the best sport. They can reach a good size 5-7lb and the UK record is 9lb 7oz. They also vary greatly and the colourful coats they display, from dark brown to bright orange. The Ballan is a truly gallous and beautiful fish. It predates on small fish and is armed with a strong set of teeth allowing it to break up molluscs and shellfish.

Fishing for them is best from the shoe line and you can drop shot with small lures, or float fish soft crabs, which is the most effective method. The other wrasse species are smaller, but make for great sport on LRF tackle.

Fishing in Scotland offers great variety of species. A step by step guide to each month and what species to target. Where in Scotland offer these the best fishing rivers and lochs.

This guide breaks down each month and suggests the best fishing available in Scotland.

Fishing in January in Scotland – What species to target?

The salmon season opens on the River Tay in January, however there are low numbers of migratory fish, running the river at this time of year. Grayling fishing is still prolific, and if you are brave enough to embrace the elements, and wrap up well, you can enjoy excellent sport. Which grayling river to target in January? The Tweed and Tay are my choice in January, when river levels are close to normal. If the big rivers are running high, then the Teviot, Annan and River Earn are all worthy options. Hatching insects are few and far between, so nymphing techniques are most effective.

Winter pike fishing is also a good winter option. Pike are less willing to chase lures and flies though, and the best sport can be had, fishing with dead baits.

Fishing in February, Scotland starts to warm up

The River Tweed and the Spey salmon season opens in February for salmon fishing, and die hard anglers go and search early spring salmon. Though they are not prolific in numbers, when you capture one of these fish, they are in prime condition. Bars of silver straight in from the sea, broad shouldered and hard fighting.

February is still in my opinion a great month for grayling fishing, and you can enjoy good sport as the fish feed heavily prior to spawning.

Fishing in Scotland in March – (start of the brown trout season)

The season for river wild brown trout in Scotland starts on March the 15th and is eagerly anticipated by everyone with a passion for river fishing. Scotland is beginning to warm up. Insect life is developing nicely. Hatches of March Browns and Olive duns are short and sweet. Often around the middle of the day, when the sun gets a chance to warm the temperature a few degrees, it often triggers a swatch. Occasional hatches of LDO’s (large dark olives) and March Browns can be seen. The trout are waking up and starting to feed a little more frequently.

In the last few years, it seems like the month of March is getting warmer and warmer, and so it’s worth targeting trout in the early season, as the bigger fish can be caught easier,. early season trout look to pack on weight and regain form after winter.

The best early season trout rivers in Scotland, are the River Tweed, River Annan, River Tay and Teviot.

Where to fish in Scotland in April – (Salmon and Trout spring fishing)

Spring salmon fishing, improves in April, as numbers start to increase. April also offers first class trout fishing, especially with the dry fly. A highly effective tactic would be to target salmon on one of the big 4 rivers in Scotland, but also take a trout rod,. You should be armed with a 9ft 5 weight rod, a floating line and a box of dry flies.

Often, in the middle part of the day, the river can explode with a hatch of dry fly activity. That’s when you put the salmon rod down, and try to catch some of the large trout that feed heavily during a fly hatch.

There are some excellent spring salmon to be had in April, and whilst they may not be prolific., if conditions are right. The sport can be excellent. The best rivers for these tactics, are the Tay, River Spey, Tweed and River Dee.

In addition to river fishing, the large ferox brown trout of Loch Awe, Loch Arkaig and Quioch are worth targeting. There are some true monsters of the deep here, and trolling articulated lures are often the most effective method.

Where to fish in Scotland – Month of May

The river temperatures are rising in Scotland. Warmer days bring on more frequent hatches of insect life and and trout fishing is at its best. May is the month when trout fishing starts to improve in the Highlands, Speyside, Inverness-shire and West Coast. If you lust after adventure, and are keen to hike to remote spots, the North of Scotland, is a huge playground for wild brown trout fishing.

The trout fishing on the River Don and River Deveron would be my choice in May. These two Highland rivers offer fantastic sport on the dry fly. Fishing wets and spiders, are also effective, before a hatch, whilst prospecting for fish.

The River Spey in May is also outstanding. This is a river much in demand, and you should try and look to book permits in advance, as often there is little availability. You can increase your chances by booking and entire beat for a week, as this makes it easier for the owners and reduces administration and risk.

Fishing in June in Scotland

As the trout fishing in the rivers in central Scotland starts to wane, the fishing in the Highlands starts to improve. Rivers and Lochs in the Highlands take a month longer to warm up than Central Scotland, and the Borders. If you enjoy fishing amidst stunning scenery, then head for the Highlands and the West Coast. There are some truly stunning scenic locations. If you consider there are over 30,000 lochs in Scotland, including Orkney, Shetland and the outer Isles, it opens up many options.

Sea trout fishing is also prolific in the month of June, the best fishing being in the early hours of the morning and in complete darkness.

If you would like to understand more about night fishing for sea trout, then read Hugh Falkus’s book on Sea Trout Fishing. A bible.

My favourite lochs to fish in June, are Loch eye, near Tain. The Limestone lochs of Caithness, and a selection of secret lochs we know if in the Highlands, that produce some very big wild trout.

If salmon fishing in Scotland is your focus, then the River Spey in June can offer the best fishing in Scotland. Permit availability is scarce, but if you have contacts, and knowledge of the beats, rods can be secured with forward planning.

Fishing in July in Scotland – Saltwater fishing and Summer Salmon

The temperature in the seas around Scotland are starting to warm up. This brings in an increase in bait fish, and with that, in turn, better fishing for predators.

Shore and boat fishing for pollack is excellent in Scotland in July and August. These hard fighting predators can be caught using lures, flies or fishing bait. Jig heads of between 15g and 25g are highly effective with soft rubber lures and grub tails. The most effective flies are closer minnow patterns, sparsely tied are best, as they tend to imitate sand eels. When bait fishing for Pollack, strips of mackerel float fished on a 2/0 hook is a highly productive ,method, also fishing king rag worm, either float fished, or with a jig head.

The best location in Scotland to fish from the boat in July is around the Mull of Galloway. There is such a wide variety of species to be caught here, as I understand, the boat we fish in have caught over 60 different species of fish, including:

Typical species of fish in Scotland (sea): Wrasse(4 different types), Pollack(Pollock), Coalfish, Ling, Haddock, Garfish, Spurdog, Skate, Gurnard, Tope, Mackerel, Sea Bass, Sea Trout, and Bull Huss.

Fishing in Scotland in August – What species of fish to target?

August arrives and offers new angling opportunities in Scotland. The Atlantic Salmon run is becoming prolific. You will get runs of Grilse. These are salmon that have sent one winter at sea and average 4-8lbbs in weight, as well as mature summer run salmon.

The Lower River Tay in August can be breathtaking. Some of our best days have been on the beats around Scone Palace. You can fly fish, spin cast or “Harl” for salmon on the Tay in August. Harling is from a boat, and involves trailing flies and lures behind the boat, and manoeuvring the boat over the lies of salmon.

These lower River Tay beats, fish better in lower water levels. Fly fishing is highly effective, using a double hand 14ft r 15ft spey rod, and floating or a slow 1.5 inch per second sink tip poly leader.

Fishing in Scotland in September – What’s the best species to target?

There are so many fishing opportunities in September. Trout fishing has a resurgence, as trout look to feed heavily prior to spawning. Trout also get aggressive and territorial and this can’t trigger feeding activity, when fishing attractor patterns of fly.

Grayling fishing starts to pick up in September.

Sea fishing is still prolific, as the sea holds a good temperature and head of bait fish.

Pike fishing is excellent, we tend to catch larger fish in September in the venues we fish. Pike will chase the fly and lure in warmer September days.

However if you were to single out a single species in Scotland to target in September, then it has to be the Salmon. The best rivers in September are the Tweed, The Tay, The River Dee and some of the smaller pate rivers in the South West of Scotland.

Salmon fishing in October in Scotland

Salmon fishing peaks in October on the River Tweed and Tay in October. There are huge volumes of fish running the rivers as well as a large head of fish that have run the system earlier in the season. The salmon start to display their spawning colours, and silver fish are rare. Sport can be fast and furious. October however is susceptible to weather variations and days are often lost due to spates.

The scenery on these river is spectacular. The autumnal colours and pleasant weather can make for some truly memorable days.

The technique in October calls for sinking polyleaders and heavier flies. Spin fishing is not permitted on the Tweed, however is allowed on the certain Tay beats.

Winter fishing in Scotland in November – Grayling

You can fish till the end of November on the River Tweed for salmon, although in my opinion this can disturb early spawning fish, unless you know where to avoid.

I would recommend grayling fishing in November and there are some truly excellent spots top target on the River Tweed Earn, Tay, and tributaries of these systems.

The techniques for catching grayling in November differs greatly from January and February. I’m not going to disclose my secrets on this blog, but can assure you we have some highly effective techniques for connecting with trophy grayling in November.

Fishing in Scotland in December

December offers two main species of fish in Scotland. Grayling and Pike.

The pike fishing in Scotland is on Stillwater lochs, and as fish are reluctant to chase anything, the most effective technique is fishing with dead baits and electronic bite alarms. It can be very relaxing sitting by the loch, with a dram, and some heat from a fire, waiting for the bite alarms to sound. It’s great to get out in December in the cold conditions and enjoy the diverse wildlife and scenery Scotland offers.

Grayling fishing is also excellent in December and not far away from as good as November. The problem you might encounter is that often the rivers are in spate. When they are fishable though, the sport is fantastic.

Fishing has always been there. Sometimes on the back-burner but nevertheless, still there simmering away for when I next need a hit.

For us all life is a roller coaster of love and loss. I’ve suffered the pain of loss many times now during the course of my fifty-three years. Cancer (my dad), suicide (my friend couldn’t handle lock down), overdose’s (17yrs old), heart attack (30yrs old) etc etc and on and on. Relationships have broken down; jobs have been lost. My cure. My solace. My constant has been fishing. My bolt hole is a river. Serenity in the arms of nature’s softly spoken language gives me my inner peace.

When in 2011 I wrote my first book – Terminal Chancer. It was both a cathartic process and also a message about pursuing what you truly love doing. Getting your life balance right seemed key. We can lose focus chasing trophies and forget it’s the process thats more important than the prize. 

Fishing to restore balance and escape the babble

We seem to live in an age of the worried well, self-help and middle-class guilt. The great outdoors has been unveiled and re-branded like it’s a new thing. From wild swimming to forest bathing, it’s all been supposedly just invented. Who knew! The outside can be quite relaxing! 

The cure is balance. The cure is pace. When I have fished a river beat from top to bottom methodically, I feel cleansed. Sounds over the top, and a touch dramatic, but it’s completely true. I’ve walked and watched. I’ve seen and I’ve heard. I’ve felt and I’ve touched. My eyes have widened, and my head has emptied. Cast and step all the way, into mother nature’s circuit board.  

Finding a place to think is hard. Our senses are bombarded by other people’s news, sales pitches, thoughts and ideas the moment you open your eyes. Radio, TV, signage and the advertiser’s little miracle – our mobile phones. Keep scrolling and don’t you dare die. All this has led to the new phrase of the digital detox. Imagine that 20 years ago.

The River is my church – Fishing is my religion

The river is my ashram, my church and my rehab. All I need is time. It’s important you engineer enough for the stuff that matters. The phrase – Find what you love and let it slowly kill you, sums it up really. It is a quote from the singer Richard Samet “Kinky” Friedman.

Below is a letter featuring Kinkys quote, supposedly written by Charles Bukowski
My dear, find what you love and let it kill you. Let it drain from you your all. Let it cling onto your back and weigh you down into eventual nothingness. Let it kill you, and let it devour your remains. For all things will kill you, both slowly and fastly, but it’s much better to be killed by a lover. Falsely yours, Henry Charles Bukowski”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Check the river levels and take your head to the river.

James Gilbraith

James Gilbraith is an Author and passionate salmon angler on his home river in Lancashire the Ribble. His two books “Terminal Chancer” and “Hooked on Hope” are well worth reading. Ive just read for the second time “Hooked on Hope” – brilliant stuff. Laced with colourful characters, anecdotes and great stories, I was caught laughing out loud in public. This is a great book for anglers or mere normal humans. It even comes with a soundtrack!

Having spent a while thinking of a trip to the river spey. I say a while. What I really mean is twenty years. My thought process for a change is a foot race between Triggers brain and a tortoise in cement slippers. On my home river the mighty river ribble I can flog my guts out fifty to one hundred times a year and maybe get four or five salmon in a season.

So, when opportunity knocked and I was unexpectedly offered a place on the spey for a week in April I had a choice to make. Choose life. Choose to engineer a gap in time. Choose to juggle family and work life. Choose to think big picture. Choose to break the wheel. Choose to hit reset. Choose to exit the membrane of the grind.

Take the High Road to Speyside

Tackle in the car. Six-hour drive. Glorious scenery, palpable excitement, radio football commentary, playlist inspiring a cocktail of pleasant day dreams. What a drive. Man, I loved it. I arrive at the Mash Tun in Aberlour. My friends and fellow members of the escape committee are outside and beaming with broad smiles. We walk to the bridge and within seconds we see fresh salmon leaping. Plural. Fact. I can’t believe it. On the ribble if I see five salmon in a season, I pinch myself. Here I’ve already seen double figures. 

Our cottage was up the road in Archestown. Perfect in every way. Lovely rooms, parking, massive kitchen diner etc. You get the picture. I have booked half a rod – which means I share a rod with a mate. Mainly to keep the cost down but also, I don’t really want to fish for eight hours a day. Eight hours a day for five days….I’d be demented. Swapping every hour allows us both to stay fresh.  

A spring salmon off the Spey (second cast!)

Ok – so bare with me. This is true. On my second cast with a fly on the river spey. I catch a gleaming fresh run atlantic salmon. As Roy Ayers sang Everybody Loves The Sunshine. Elated I sit out the rest of the day and have a few beers and sagely advise my much-maligned friend. While I do this, I also admire the landscape of this stunning river. The whole area is bathed in a special spring light that makes everything seem a touch brighter. From a world mechanised to mother nature luminous.

Our beat was split into two sections. Lower and higher. Our ghillie Davey rotated us each session. This worked superbly well. We covered the water worth fishing rather than wandering blindly. I’m a dab hand at wandering blindly. For the week we managed seven salmon to eighteen pounds. Ate out every night, had a few beers, lots of excitement and plenty of laughs.

20 years dreaming of the River Spey (a dream fulfilled)

I’m not sure why it took me twenty years to grasp this nettle. Don’t make my mistake. It’s a special place. Speyside is the perfect re-set button. Life can be like being trapped in a washing machine on spin cycle. In the wise words of The Spencer Davis Group – Gimme Some Lovin – I’m so glad we made it. You will be too.

—
James Gilbraith

James Gilbraith is an Author and passionate salmon angler on his home river in Lancashire the Ribble. His two books “Terminal Chancer” and “Hooked on Hope” are well worth reading. Ive just read for the second time “Hooked on Hope” – brilliant stuff. Laced with colourful characters, anecdotes and great stories, I was caught laughing out loud in public. This is a great book for anglers or mere normal humans. It even comes with a soundtrack!