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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
    • What Fishing Tackle is best in Scotland
    • Fishing in Scotland – Blog
    • 2020 Fishing and Touring in Scotland Brochure
  • Packages
    • Packages Home
    • Salmon Fishing Scotland
    • Trout Fishing in Scotland
    • Pike Angling
    • Corporate Events
    • Saltwater Fly Fishing – Sea Fishing Trips in Scotland
    • Fishing Gift Vouchers in Scotland, UK
    • Grayling Fishing
    • Bespoke Luxury Vacations in Scotland
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    • Fly Fishing Experience Days Team Building
    • Corporate Trout fishing near Aberdeen
    • Learn to fly fish in Scotland
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    • Scott Mackenzie Fly Rods for salmon fishing in Scotland
    • Barrio Fly Lines
    • 4×4 Hire Scotland
    • Links
  • Bespoke Vacations
    • Hidden Gems 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
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scotland

Fishing opportunities in Scotland

Fishing post Covid 19 – how to keep it safe

May 24, 2020 //  by Stewart Collingswood

A new and safer way to fish – Post Covid

Slowly we seem to be emerging from Covid and one of the worst pandemics in history. We are no doubt all itching to stretch our wings, get into the great outdoors, breathe in the fresh air, and fish in beautiful locations. Fishing in Scotland, seems to be the perfect Staycation, and we have seen a rise in UK originating enquiries for this year.

Covid 19, coronavirus, safe fishing, isolated fishing, H&S procedures, safety
Latest Covid 19 cases June 2020

I’m certain that despite the collective urgency and desire to get out on the water, people will still need reassurance that everything remains safe and risk free. This article outlines the procedures we at Alba have set in place, and hopefully gives guests confidence to book and enjoy a fishing experience with us, stress free.

Firstly let me give you a bit of background. I am something of an obsessive. I’m the guy that uses a bit of loo roll to open the public bathroom door, rather than risk touching a germ ridden surface like that with bare hands. Just before Covid took hold, I went to Stockholm to see Simple Minds and my friend laughed at me for brining 6 pack of Milton anti-bacterial wipes and every time him or I touched a door handle or taxi door, out came the wipes! One of my clients from Hong Kong, a financial wizard and fishing regular, sent me 100 masks, and during Covid, the one or two times I’ve gone out, I’ve been masked and gloved. You might laugh at this, but I have a 4 year old boy at home. My number one priority is to keep him safe.

So the transition to added diligence and hygiene during Covid seemed pretty normal to me.

I want to ensure that when clients come to fish with us post Covid, its a nice relaxing experience, and that they know we are on the ball with keeping it safe!

fishing guide, fly fishing, trout, Scotland, High Five
High Five – We’ll be cutting out these for a while

I began to plan early how we would deal with emerging from Coronavirus and starting to run trips again. It was vital to ensure guests were safe and reassured and equally I need to protect my team.

Most of our Fishing guides have now completed a training course by the World Health Organisation on ” Infection Prevention and Control for Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19)

Covid training, fishing guide, safety, Coronavirus
Our team have all completed this course

I also spoke with one of our advisors and he had recently written additional rules for the local Angling Club, as follows:

EXTRA CORONAVIRUS RULES

These rules are to help ensure that not only you, but also other anglers, gillies and walkers, are protected as far as possible. They will apply to all past and future bookings made through FishPal.

1. Social Distancing. Always keep at least 2 metres away from ALL other people on the river (unless in your own household). In particular do not shake hands with anyone.

2. Do not share cars, boats, huts, tackle, nets, crockery, food etc with anyone else (unless in your own household).

3. No longer expect any ghillie to shake your hand, set up your equipment, make you cups of tea, or drive you round the beat. Do not hand any tip directly to the ghillie. Leave it where it can easily be found.

4. Bring your own food and drink and do not share.

5. Bring your own hand sanitiser and wipes and use regularly during the day, especially if you have to use any WC provided by the fishery (try to avoid if you can). Wash your hands regularly wherever possible.

6. Wear gloves when touching doors, gates, styles, fences or any equipment that is not your own.

In addition you must use your own common sense at all times to reduce the risk of cross infection. If in doubt, don’t do it!

Most of this I agree with, however Ive always been uneasy with the Government directive of 2metres. I mean that’s just over 6ft and if you are 6ft downwind of someone sneezing or coughing, your bang in the firing line.

So that led me to come up with this:

Alba Game Fishing Rules – fishing with Guests Post Covid – 19 (Coronavirus)

  1. When meeting greeting and saying goodbye to guests all handshakes, fist pumps and High fives suspended.
  2. When on the water, maintain a distance of 5 meters – be mindful of wind direction and strength.
  3. All fishing gear, i.e. rod handles, lines and reels, nets, will be cleaned thoroughly prior to the trip and will have not been used prior to your day for a period of minimum 5 days. All this will be done wearing the appropriate PPE, i.e. disposable gloves and face mask.
  4. If on a day involving casting tuition, the instructor will avoid hands-on demonstrations, and instead instruct demonstrate any casting techniques with a second rod which doesn’t leave his hand.
  5. We have suspended delivering fishing lunches until deemed to be safe to do so. Please bring your own food and drinks.
  6. Guests should make their own way to the fishing spot. We will provide each coordinates and in some cases meet in an easy location and you can follow the guide to the fishing hut from there.
  7. Guides will have disposable gloves and face masks at the ready, should they be needed for opening gates etc.
  8. Alba Game fishing has copious supplies of hand sanitiser gel, which complies with the requirements as set out by the World Health Organisation.
  9. Guides will no longer make cups of coffee, tea or drive guests around the beat.
  10. Guests are welcome to tip guides by leaving the tip in a place where the guide can pick it up without close contact.
  11. We will avoid sharing boats and if boats are required to transfer guests to the opposite bank, this will be done one at a time.
  12. Any guests who is unwell, has a fever, or a cough, or has been in contact with anyone in the previous 30 days showing symptoms like that, should refrain from going ahead with the trip. Alba Game Fishing will gladly re-schedule the trip to an alternative date.
  13. Stories, jokes, anecdotes and laughter still permitted – albeit, 5 metres apart
River Tay, Salmon Fishing, Fly Fishing, Spey Casting, Scone Palace, Best Beats, Tactics, Atlantic Salmon, Spin Casting,
The Lower River Tay – plenty of space to isolate

The Best Fishing staycations in Scotland

We have taken the time to select a number of fishing packages which lend themselves to open space, freedom, a chance to relax away from crowds and enjoy stunning scenery and memorable fishing. Please take a look at our new page here.

Category: NewsTag: coronavirus, Covid-19, fishing, fly fishing, risk assessment, safety procedures, scotland, staycation

The best fishing near Gleneagles

November 6, 2019 //  by Stewart Collingswood

The Best Fishing near Gleneagles

Firstly Gleneagles is a stunning resort in Scotland, but perhaps you want to look beyond the trout fishing ponds they offer? Here is a comprehensive guide to all the fishing that is close to Gleneagles. In summary the best river fishing and loch fishing for trout and salmon that is available.

There are rivers and lochs for beginners or experts and we offer fly fishing for beginners days.

Finally our guides will collect you at Gleneagles and provide everything you need. Quality rods, reels, lines and fishing tackle as well as transport and a professional guide.

Gleneagles, River Tay, Salmon Fishing, Fly Fishing, Spey Casting, Scone Palace, Best Beats, Tactics, Atlantic Salmon, Spin Casting,
The Lower River Tay – 20 minutes from Gleneagles

River Tay – Salmon Fishing (30 mins drive from lobby)

The River Tay is one of the most iconic salmon rivers in the world, and home to the current UK record salmon.

Also The Tay offers a variety of salmon, trout and grayling fishing breaks throughout its length.

The middle and lower beats of the River Tay are best for access from Gleneagles. Normally we choose a beat based on conditions and the time of year.

Scone palace fishings is easily accessed from Gleneagles, it takes about 30 minutes to drive to this beat. This is a premium salmon fishing experience, set on a stunning private stretch of the river. Scone Palace was the crowning place for Scottish Kings and home to the Stone of Destiny.

Gleneagles, River Tay, Salmon Fishing, Fishing Breaks, Atlantic Salmon, Spey Casting, Fly Fishing, Scone Palace, Scotland
Boat fishing available too on the River Tay


Salmon anglers can enjoy a day of fishing on the River Tay, Alba guides and casting instructors can help you enjoy your day. Moreover, you will be able to try a range of Spey rod and line combinations to suit your style. The Tay also allows Spin Casting, and hauling from a boat can be a highly effective method too.

Non-anglers are welcome too. There are stunning scenic riverside walks and a well appointed wooden cabin, overlooking the river to enjoy, lunch, refreshments and shelter from the rain. On colder days the wood burning stove gets lit.

Gleneagles, river tay, salmon, fishing, fly fishing, Atlantic Salmon, scotland, holidays, vacations, alba game fishing
A first Salmon in Scotland for our guest

If you prefer to spin cast, then you can also enjoy fishing this beat, again we provide premium Daiwa Whisker Salmon rods and Penn reels, with a variety of the most successful River Tay fishing lures.

Kinross Trout Fishery  Near Gleneagles (30 mins)

Kinross Trout fishery is ideal for beginners or experts. We have used this trout fishery for many Corporate Fishing events and Team Building days. You can catch Golden Trout, Blue Trout, Wild Loch Leven brown trout and rainbow trout here.

Gleneagles, Incentive, River Dee, River Don, Exclusive Use, Baronial House, Fishing Lodge, Luxury, Scotland
First ever trout for our guest from Belgium


Kinross also allows guests to try fishing from a float tube, (belly boat). Owner Gary will advise and assist guests if they are trying this for the first time. Indeed first timers can get free hire of the tube, and all they do is bring waders. Children are welcome at Kinross, and as well as supporting Children’s charities. Kinross will not charge for under 16’s. This is fantastic to encourage children to the sport.

Gleneagles, rainbow trout, trout fishing scotland, fishing near Edinburgh, catch and release
Rainbow Trout fishing in Scotland, catch and release

Kinross offer sustainable fishing. Spin casting is available in a separate loch, with single barbless hooks. Alba can provide premium tackle such as the Orvis Helios range of fly rods. Finally we supply hand tied, highly- effective flies, that really work at this venue.

Lake of Menteith Trout Fishing (30 mins)

The Lake is one of Scotland few lakes! (we call them lochs). This is a world class trout fishery. This is a shallow lake, 700 cares in size and home to National Fly fishing Championships in Scotland. Also Menteith hosts many other competitions. There are 34 superb boats on the Lake, all equipped with. outboards, oars, landing net and drogue. The Lake is stocked weekly and evenly distributed by boat and the trout are reared by Menteith staff.

Gleneagles, trout fly, paltered wet, top dropper, trout flies, trout fishing Edinburgh
best flies for trout, the Swamp Donkey

Ideally you should employ a guide for Menteith. Most of our Lake of Menteith guides are also Scottish Internationalist fly fisherman, like John and Graeme. They know the loch intimately, and have the knowledge to maximise your day and help you enjoy great sport. Fishing is from boat only and each boat can accommodate two anglers with a guide in the middle.

Gleneagles, rainbow trout, catch and release, trout fishing, fly fishing, lake of Menteith
Playing a nice rainbow trout Lake of Menteith

Orchil Trout Fishery near Gleneagles (20 mins)

This small fishery offers trout fishing in a lovely setting for rainbow, brown and blue trout. The fish can be a bit tricky to catch at times, but we never seem to struggle. It’s about having the right flies and techniques. The fish are free rising and plentiful.
Orchil trout loch is a great venue for those with mobility issues. Indeed, you can drive right to the water side and there are no steps or hidden surprises.

Gleneagles, pike, fishing guide, trout fishing, salmon fishing, Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orvis Endorsed, Corporate events
George – Alba Fishing Guide and business consultant.

River Earn – Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing (20 minutes)

If you are looking for a smaller, more manageable river than the River Tay to fish for salmon, The River Earn is a stunning river running from Loch Earn eastwards to the Tay estuary. The river Earn starts upstream of Comrie. By the time it levels out near Auchterarder it runs slower and deeper until it joins the Tay. This river also offers brown trout, grayling and sea trout fishing.

Gleneagles, River Earn,Tay River, Salmon Fishing, Fly Fishing,
A lovely October salmon is released on the River Earn at Lochlane and Laggan

Firstly the Earn is one of best Autumn rivers for salmon. Secondly the Earn stays open two weeks after the River Tay season closes. Our River Earn guides, know the secrets of this river, the techniques and best spots. Non anglers can enjoy a day touring nearby at such attractions as Drummond Gardens. The Earn is also close to the famous GlenTurret distillery.

Gleneagles, Drummond Gardens, River Earn,Tay River, Salmon Fishing, Fly Fishing,
Stunning Drummond Gardens near the River Earn

Category: NewsTag: fishing guide, Gleneagles, kinross, Lake of Menteith, River Earn, River Tay, salmon fishing, scotland, trout fishing

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