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UK +44 7734 810 706  

USA TOLL FREE 800-972-0408

  • Home
  • About
    • About Home
    • Why Alba Game Fishing
    • Team of fishing guides
    • Videos of Fishing Holidays throughout Scotland
    • What Fishing Tackle is best in Scotland
    • Partner with Alba in Scotland
      • Barrio Fly Lines
      • 4×4 Hire Scotland
      • Links
    • Fishing in Scotland – Blog
    • Alba Brochure – 2024 Fishing and Touring in Scotland
  • Fishing in Scotland
    • Packages Home
    • Salmon Fishing Scotland
    • Trout Fishing in Scotland
    • Pike Angling
    • Corporate Events
    • Sea Fishing Trips Scotland
    • Fishing Gift Vouchers
    • Grayling Fishing
    • Bespoke Luxury Vacations in Scotland
  • Fishing Events
    • Fishing Events in Scotland
    • Fly Fishing Experience Days Team Building
    • Corporate and Incentives – Trout fishing near Aberdeen
    • Learn to fly fish in Scotland
  • Bespoke Vacations
    • Mixed Fishing & Touring Vacation in Scotland
    • Macnab challenge in Scotland
    • River Tweed Fishing Lodge September/ October
    • Fishing vacation, staying in Fishing Lodge in Scotland – Perfect Staycation
  • Fishing Accommodation
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Whiteadder, river, salmon fishing, trout fishing, tributary, River Tweed
River Whiteadder, salmon, trout, grayling, Fishing guide, scotland, borders, gift vouchers
Grayling, Winter fishing, Orvis Pro Guide, Euronymphing, Sage ESN, best time to Visit Scotland
Whiteadder, river, salmon fishing, trout fishing, tributary, River Tweed
Whiteadder, river, salmon fishing, trout fishing, tributary, River Tweed
River Whiteadder, Brown Trout, Dry Fly, EDEN Made trout net, best time to Visit Scotland

Salmon and Trout Grayling Fishing River Whiteadder

The river offers a brilliant alternative to the River Tweed. Salmon, Sea Trout, Grayling and Brown Trout can be caught.

A compact river, but wild, and with non manicured banks.

If you enjoy exploring wild rivers, and are keen on a bit of walking, this is a great choice.

Spring time offer the chance of a trophy brown trout and salmon fishing peaks in the Autumn.

The river is easily accessed from Edinburgh (1 hour drive)

SGAIC and Orvis guides and premium tackle.

Brown Trout Season 15th March to 30th September, Salmon season, 1st February to 30th November.

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Categories: Salmon Fishing Scotland, Trout Fishing in Scotland, Winter Grayling Fishing
  • Description

Description

River Whiteadder – a lesser known river on the Tweed system

trout, whiteadder, dry fly, brown trout, Czech nymphing, Orvis
Brown trout fishing River Whiteadder

Firstly, The Whiteadder is a tributary of the River Tweed, rising in the Lammermuir Hills. From there, it flows through East Lothian, Berwickshire and Northumberland before joining the Tweed near the Berwick and flowing into the North Sea. The salmon season on the Whiteadder runs from 1st February to 30th November. The trout season on the Whiteadder runs from 15th March to 30th September. Grayling can be targeted all year on the Whiteadder, with a break for spring spawning.

Moreover, the Whiteadder can be easily accessed from Edinburgh. In fact, a scenic drive of approx 1 hour on the A1, and a nice straight road to boot.

The river offers wild brown trout fishing throughout the system and excellent runs of salmon and sea trout.

Interestingly, the river is noted for having the world’s oldest fishing club. The Ellem Angling Club, established in 1829 and sits proudly in the Guinness Book of Records.

Much work has been carried out to improve the fishing in the Whiteadder.  This included the installation of a fish pass, which freed up an additional 16 miles of spawning ground and feeding for migratory fish.

The river is an ideal size for a single hand rod or a light switch rod for salmon. For trout fishing a 4 or 5 weight 8-9ft rod is ideal.

Trout Fishing River Whiteadder

River Whiteadder, Brown Trout, Dry Fly, Grayling fishing
Swinging soft hackled wet flies on the River Whiteadder

As with most of the Tweed and tributaries, the best trout fishing is in the spring. Trout go on the feed heavily after a long winter and there are prolific hatches of Blue Winged Olives and March Brown.

The big trout come out of hiding, and migrate into feeding zones to put on some weight. This gives you a great chance of a trophy fish.

The Whiteadder is a small river and therefore, long casting not required.  As with all small rivers, keeping a low profile is vital, and only wading when really necessary.

Czech nymphing and Euronymphing can be highly effective on this river, and is a good tactic when your prospecting in between hatches.

Grayling fishing on the rise

In the last 5 years, there has been a population surge of Grayling in the Whiteadder. Since the destruction of a could in the lower river, Grayling have progressed through the system in upper reaches.

 

Salmon Fishing River Whiteadder

Atlantic Salmon, Salmon, fishing, fly fishing, Spey Casting, catch and release, River Tweed, River Whiteadder, fishing guide
Autumn Atlantic Salmon from the Whiteadder

This beautiful river, although a tributary of the Tweed is a salmon river in its own right. This is a small easily fished river and a rod between 10ft summer and 12ft for heavier water/ autumn conditions is ideal. Interestingly when the Tweed is flooded, the Whiteadder can be a good Plan B. Since water levels are more regulated by the reservoir at the head of the system.

Most fishing can be done with shallow, non obtrusive wading and long casting is not necessary. We hold in stock Scott Mackenzie Atlas switch rods, in 11ft, 4 inch, 12ft 7 inch, that are ideal tools for fishing this river. You can also fish for salmon with single hand rods. Salmon can be sight fished and your guide can assist by guiding you onto fish.

Lastly, fishing is by fly only, and no other method is permitted. It’s mandatory catch and release until the end of June. With the intention to protect Spring fish. The river associations and bodies governing this river encourage catch and release at all times.

There are salmon throughout the system throughout the year. The Spring and then autumn/ fall months give the best chance of salmon, especially when the is falling back after a spate.

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