Fishing In Scotland
The Ultimate Angling Experience
Scotland truly is one of the world’s best salmon fishing destinations. It offers visiting anglers a wide range of plentiful salmon rivers to choose from, each with a very different character. This coupled with the wild, unspoiled scenery, beautiful tranquil locations and fantastic salmon fishing options makes it the ultimate angling experience, for any passionate angler. In Scotland the salmon fishing season is much longer compared to many other countries around the world. Indeed, you can actually salmon fish in Scotland for eleven months of the year, and have a realistic chance of catching a hard-fighting fresh salmon.
The length of the season means that visiting anglers can fish for salmon almost all year round. It is not only the length of the season that makes Scotland one of the world’s best salmon fishing destinations. There are also so many productive salmon rivers across the country to choose from. Scotland truly has a river to suit even the most discerning of salmon angler’s tastes.
Small Highland Rivers and Summer Salmon Fishing
Scottish Salmon Rivers: From Highland Streams to Major Waters
In the Scottish Highlands, many of the rivers are quite small in size. Often during the summer months, if the water is low, a single-handed rod can be all that is required. These rivers are usually at their most productive from April and May onwards, in terms of spring fishing. During the summer months, these rivers can produce excellent runs of hard fighting grilse and summer salmon. Some of the famous rivers in the Scottish Highlands include the Naver, Thurso, Helmsdale and Brora. If as a salmon fisher, you enjoy fishing on smaller, more intimate rivers, where stealth tactics can often pay rich dividends, then the Scottish Highlands is the destination for you.
In central and Southern Scotland many of the rivers are much larger in size. Famous rivers like the Dee, Tay and Tweed offer salmon fishing on a different scale. These rivers produce fresh fish all year round. Many of the rivers in this area enjoy a good spring and summer run and the fishing during the autumn months can also be productive. So, if you prefer fishing on larger salmon rivers, there are also plenty of locations to choose from. It is therefore easy to see why In Scotland, there is a river to suit every angler’s tastes.
Wildlife, Seclusion and Scenic Landscapes
Private Salmon Fishing Beats and the River Experience
The vast majority of salmon fishing beats in Scotland are private. This ensures that only a limited number of anglers can fish at any one time and that the banks are very well maintained. Therefore, there is very rarely a stretch of water which is overcrowded. The great advantage of this is that anglers have miles of undisturbed water to explore. In addition to this, most of the beats have fantastic facilities for anglers. There are usually well-appointed fishing lodges on each beat. Many of the fishing lodges have running water, toilets and cooking facilities. There is also usually a ghillie on the beat, who is at hand through the course of the day to give anglers guidance on tactics and where the best places to fish could be. The ghillie’s knowledge and expertise can be invaluable and often the difference between success and failure.
As we all know; salmon fishing is not just about catching fish. For many anglers it is the locations that salmon fishing takes them to. There are many breath-taking locations in Scotland that you would not know existed unless you were a salmon fisher. What makes salmon fishing in Scotland so special is the stunning backdrop that most of the rivers have. Many of the salmon fishing locations are situated in some of the most remote and serene places. This allows anglers to enjoy the ultimate peace and tranquillity whilst wetting a line. It is not unusual, when salmon fishing in Scotland, that you will not see another soul during the entire day. Often, whilst you fish, the beautiful Osprey, majestic Golden Eagle or timid Red Deer are the only company you will have.
Why Scotland Offers the Ultimate Angling Experience
Accommodation and the Complete Scottish Fishing Holiday
Away from the riverbank, the accommodation options in Scotland during a salmon fishing holiday are also second to none. There is accommodation to suit every budget and taste, from luxurious fishing lodges and five-star hotels, to smaller country inns a B & B’s - the options are truly endless. When you combine this with some of the magnificent Scottish cuisine on offer, you have all the ingredients for a perfect stay during your salmon fishing holiday.
As you can see, Scotland has a long salmon fishing season. With a multitude of rivers to suit all tastes; private beats with excellent facilities; breath taking scenery and numerous accommodation options - it really does offer the ultimate angling experience for any salmon fisher.
