Schloss Roxburghe is one of the finest hotels in the Scottish Borders and sits within striking distance of a huge portfolio of fishing trips that we offer. We’ve been taking Schloss guests on trip around the Tweed system for 20 years. In addition this article highlights the fishing portfolio on offer for guests staying in the Kelso area.
Equally we have been recommending the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel to our guests for over 20 years. Last year with over 600 trips delivered, 70% of those guests ask for hotel recommendations and for us to arrange accommodation.
Our local based guides can pick up and drop off from the Schloss Roxburghe hotel and take you to a wide variety of fishing, much of it on private beats.
For clarity, the Schloss Roxburghe sits on the River Teviot, but also very close to the River Tweed. Three of our professional fishing guides have represented Scotland at international level for trout and grayling river fishing. Without doubt, they live and breathe these rivers and have done since childhood. Furthermore the two salmon guides have fished the Tweed and Teviot systems for over 40 years each.
Salmon Fishing on the River Tweed and Teviot
The River Tweed is one of Europes premier salmon rivers. Furthermore, the Teviot is one of the main tributaries. Where the Teviot joins the Tweed, you have the world famous Junction pool. Undoubtedly, one of the world’s best salmon pools, in terms of numbers and salmon fishing folklore, and history. All of this salmon fishing magnificence, is within easy striking distance of the Schloss Roxburghe hotel.
Importantly, we can provide everything to make your day easy. By that, I mean, not cheap rubber soled waders with slippy soles, that lesser guiding companies offer. We will fit you with Orvis breathable chest waders, and sturdy supportive boots, with tungsten studs. For safety purposes, these tungsten studs, while being expensive, offer the best grip on the river bed when wading. In addition, we’ll supply wading staffs and brand new 165 Sport compact PFD life vests made by Crewsaver.
Finally your guide will bring a 13 or 14ft double hand Spey rod, made by Sage or Orvis, matched with a Rio line. Naturally, we carry poly leaders at various sink rates. Also hand crafted flies, and other necessities to improve your chances of an Atlantic Salmon.
Trout fishing on the river Tweed, Teviot and Till.
Without doubt, the River Tweed and Teviot offer some of Europes best trout and grayling fishing. Initially, the season kicks off on March 15th with the best fishing in April and May for trout. Alternatively, if you are targeting grayling, then Autumn and winter are the best times. However Grayling can be caught all year, I you know where to find them.
Secondly, the skills of our trout and grayling guides are unsurpassed. Both have fished at international level for Scotland and have been Brought up fishing the Tweed and Teviot. As a result, they understand how to catch fish at all river heights. Furthermore, they are passionate and enthusiastic.
The Till is a fantastic, sea trout, salmon, trout and grayling river. However it’s worth noting the wading is very challenging.
Finally, it’s unrealistic to expect that salmon fishing days will always go to plan. However a day on trout and grayling is more predictable, especially with guides who not only know where fish are, but have an array of skills to catch in different conditions.
Trout fishing courses for beginners
These courses cover casting techniques, safety, reading the river and the various techniques and understanding when to fish each technique and why. However, courses are tailored, so simply tell us what you want from the day. For example, if you simply want to get fishing as quickly as possible and catch a few fish, without going into the technicalities, we can do that too,
Salmon fishing Spey casting tuition
First of all, spey casting days can be tailored to guests individual requirements.
In 20 years of teaching, we understand, some guests want to drill down in the technical details of various spey casts and others want to learn how to simply get a line across the river and enjoy fishing on the day,
For basic lessons, the cast we focus on will depend on whether we fish the left or right bank and the wind direction.
For technical lessons, simple tell us the casts you want to learn or develop. Our guides can teach the basic roll cast, Single Spey, Double Spey, Circle C, Snap T, Snake roll, and switching to your left hand.
To keep things easy for guests, we use premium Sage rods and Rio Outbound lines. Or, we can teach how to cast full 65ft head spey line, cast shooting heads, skagits as well as our default short head spey lines.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a casting lesson from Eoin Fairgrieve, he is based at the Schloss Roxburghe. You can find his details here
Grayling fishing – learn a variety of techniques minutes from Schloss Roxburghe and Kelso
Without doubt, the Tweed is one of Europes best grayling rivers. Not far behind is the River Teviot. Both of these rivers hold a healthy population of grayling. However its vital to understand where these fish are located in the river and at what time. Furthermore, the fish migrate up and down the river according to many factors, so we can fist of all teach how to find fish at varying water levels.
Of course you can learn the following techniques to catch grayling – Nymphing, dry fly, dry dropper, swinging north country spiders and when and why to use each technique.
Our main grayling guide was brought up fishing the Tweed for grayling and competed in last years World Fly Fishing Championships for river fishing. He is one of Scotland’s most talented fisherman, and is a real grayling enthusiast,
Waders, tackle hire and transport for Kelso and Schloss Roxburghe guests
Alba are sponsored by Sage Fly Rods, Redington, Orvis and Patagonia. Moreover, all of our gear is lovingly maintained, kept fresh and each rod handle is thoroughly cleaned down with anti bacterial wipes after each session. We carry over 80 pairs of breathable chest waders and 70 pairs of boots in all sizes including kids.
Finally, we can offer pick up and drop off in new quality 7 seater SUV’s and for larger groups, Mercedes people carriers.
Our team of Fishing guides based near the Schloss Roxburghe and the Kelso area
Public Liability Insurance, First Aid qualifications and 20 years experience
Reassuringly, Alba carries £5 million public liability insurance. Also we operate to strict procedures and do not compromise on safety. All of our Tweed guides are registered first aiders. Graeme and Stewart carry PVG clearance to work with kids and all have been trained in Covid prevention and safety by the World Health Organisation.
A history of bamboo fly rods
