Tweed Salmon Fishing
INTRODUCTION Welcome to our 2014 River Tweed Salmon Fishing Brochure. You will notice the change in livery, as of 1st January Sale & Partners and Smiths Gore combine and our fishing lets will continue to be handled from Wooler by our long serving and dedicated team. The 2013 season on Tweed was one of extremes. The dry cold spring saw rods enduring February conditions well into April. For those rods who booked their April fishing in the depths of winter and imagined spending a day in shirt sleeves surrounded by gambling lambs and daffodils the reality of fishing in near zero temperatures late into the month was made much easier to bear on those beats that performed so well in these conditions, namely Upper North Wark and Dryburgh. Despite the near summer low water levels it took a rise in water temperatures for Pedwell and Tweedhill in particular to get amongst the fish.
As the summer heat wave got going, such a stark contrast to 2012, Tweedhill and Pedwell really got in on the action although even for them these high water temperatures proved problematic at times. Despite the conditions Dryburgh North as always proved reliable and who can fail to enjoy a day in such exclusive and picturesque surroundings. The autumn run was late this year and settled weather meant that there was tremendous sport in glorious conditions to be enjoyed right until the end of the season.
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The quality of autumn fish was superb and numbers of heavier fish has eclipsed those of any of the last five years. Sea trout runs and catches were disappointing and we hope that they bounce back next year. The quality of sport that Tweed sea trout can offer during the summer months is astonishing particularly when there are good prospects of connecting with a double figure fish. At Dryburgh there has been a re-organisation of the beat which will now be split on a permanent basis between Upper and Lower Dryburgh rather than rotating on a weekly basis. We are delighted to be involved with the letting of both beats and this will mean that there will be more availability on this stunning part of the river and I look forward to welcoming new rods.
As always there are fond memories from the season just past but we are eagerly anticipating 2014 and we look forward to welcoming you onto the river. Best wishes and Tight Lines! Ewan Harris Partner Smiths Gore
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UPPER DRYBURGH - 4 RODS MIDDLE TWEED FISHING, ST. BOSWELLS
Upper Dryburgh is overlooked by the famous ‘Scots View’ and Wallace Statue in a glorious and secluded setting downstream of Bemersyde. The one mile of double bank fishing is highly productive and has seven named pools holding fish through spring, summer and autumn and with a pool to suit all water levels. There is a well equipped and easily accessed hut next to Dryburgh Mains.
The beat has formed part of the rotation with Dryburgh North in previous years and has been lightly fished. The Lower Dryburgh catches are an indication of the quality of fishing that the beat provides. Rods should meet at 9am at the Dryburgh Mains hut.
FISHING PRICES 2014 PRICE PER ROD PER DAY INCLUDING VAT 1 February to 29 March 31 March to 12 July
£84.00
14 July to 23 August
£120.00
15 September to 25 October
£414.00
25 August to 13 September
27 October to 29 November
4
£54.00
£300.00 £378.00
5
LOWER DRYBURGH - 4 RODS MIDDLE TWEED FISHING, ST. BOSWELLS Five year average Salmon/Grilse – 225.2 Sea Trout – 41.8
Lower Dryburgh is set in the most stunning of surroundings as the Tweed loops around the remains of Dryburgh Abbey, the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel and Dryburgh House parkland sweeping down to the river. The fishing runs from the highly productive Hotel Steps pool for approximately one mile to the end of the Long Stream about half a mile above Mertoun Bridge. The fishing boasts excellent fly water and a host of attractive streams and pools most of which give easy wading and which hold fish throughout spring, summer and autumn. The spacious hut with veranda is set overlooking the Brockies Hole and Gullet Stream pools and is equipped with running water, wc and electricity.
The ghillie at Lower Dryburgh, George Inglis (m: 07971 785230), is a Tweed icon and is sure to make your visit an enjoyable and productive one. Make sure you give George a call before you visit and he can advise you on the correct equipment to bring. Rods should meet at 9am at the hut.
FISHING PRICES 2014 PRICE PER ROD PER DAY INCLUDING VAT 1 February to 29 March
£54.00
31 March to 12 July
£84.00
14 July to 23 August
£120.00
15 September to 25 October
£414.00
25 August to 13 September
£300.00
27 October to 29 November
£378.00
CATCHES - SALMON & GRILSE AND SEA TROUT 5 year average catch for Upper and Lower beats as fished in previous years 2009
FEB
MAR APR
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
4
0
6
0
14
0
5
1
3
1
6.4
2
30
4 6
JUL
0 0
2 9
0 0
11
18
19
15
20
SEP
19
2
52
14
NOV
37
TOTAL
2013
S&G
2
OCT
2012
ST
14
AUG
2011
S&G
MAY JUN
6
2010
15 8
37 162
8 8 0 1
40
9
29 88 94
315
5
11 3 9
64
2
15
0 1
4 5
0 0
7
1
14
11
13
22
10
54
2
29
3
39
4
65
10 33 49 28
246
5 9 2 0
33
17 27 62 19
204
2
5
4 6 7
37
7 9 3
0 1
ST
3.4
0.0
8.4
0.4
0.4
2
15.2
1
13.8
12.6
38.6
4.6
0
9
14
52
7
199
AV
2 7
35
12.0 21.2 57.6 48.6
225.2
1.8 4.4 9.6 3.8 4.2
41.8
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UPPER NORTH WARK - 2 RODS LOWER TWEED FISHING Five year average Salmon/Grilse – 208.4 Sea Trout – 16.0
BETWEEN
COLDSTREAM
AND
KELSO
Upper North Wark is an excellent lower Tweed beat with nearly one mile of prime Tweed water situated on the north (Scottish) bank of the Tweed between Kelso and Coldstream. The beat does well throughout the fishing season and is particularly productive in mid to higher water.
Access to the fishing is directly into the car park from the main road (A698), about 2 miles on the right hand side after the pretty village of Birgham, going towards Coldstream. The fishing hut is fully equipped with cooking, lighting, heating and toilet facilities. The beat has two traditional wooden boats used on the upper and lower pools.
Upper North Wark has historically been lightly fished during the spring months however neighbouring beats prove that there can be exceptional fishing in the early part of the season. To encourage spring fishing the owners have again reduced the rate to £80 a rod day in 2014 and for those fishing the beat during the autumn we are delighted to offer a discounted rate (should a similar number of days and rods be booked during the spring on this beat). The ghillie at Upper North Wark is Tam Donnelly (m: 07912 527612). Make sure you give Tam a call before you visit and he can advise you on the correct equipment to bring. Rods should meet at 9am at the hut.
FISHING PRICES 2014 PRICE PER ROD
1 February to 28 June
£80.00
30 June to 30 August
£100.00
1 to 20 September
£200.00
23 September to 22 November £460.00 (or £420.00 if a similar number of days booked during the spring) 24 to 29 November
£380.00
CATCHES - SALMON & GRILSE AND SEA TROUT 2009
FEB
MAR APR
MAY JUN JUL
8
2013
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
2
0
6
0
8
0
0
0
1
0
3.4
5 0 0 0 2
OCT
16
TOTAL
2012
ST
14
NOV
2011
S&G
AUG SEP
2010
9
56
104
0 0 0 1 4 1 3
6 5 0 0 1 3
14
0
117
11
342
2
190
0 0 1 0
12 2 1 0
3
10
3
39
0 2 2
11
37 27 2
138
0 0 2 0
2 0 0 2
0
21
0
28
9
0
3
0
6
27
10
1
47
2
10
3
117
4
27
1
107
14
255
0
43
6 3
36
0 0
26
203
1 3 0 0 0
0.2
7.0
0.6
0.2 0.4 8.0
16.2
3
58.6
1
8
ST
9.2
0 0
AV
23.8 81.6
208.4
0.0 1.2 2.0 4.6 2.2 1.8 1.8 1.6
16.0
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PEDWELL - 4 RODS BOTTOM TWEED FISHING AT NORHAM, BERWICK UPON TWEED Five year average Salmon/Grilse – 123.4 Sea Trout – 12.4
Pedwell Beat provides approximately 1.5 miles of productive fishing on the English side of the river and is an excellent low water beat as can be seen from the catch statistics. Given prolonged periods of low water, fish are concentrated in this and the other lower Tweed beats and the sport can be frantic. A ghillie is provided between the four rods with fishing available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the season. There are two boats and although there is no fishing hut, rods can enjoy scenic picnics in the meadow below the Castle and the village of Norham is adjacent and has two very good pubs as well as a butchers shop selling some of the finest pies in the country (as well as an excellent range of fishing tackle and flies).
In centuries past Pedwell and this part of the River Tweed formed the frontier between the warring English and Scots. The beat lies immediately above and below Norham Bridge with Norham Castle forming the historic backdrop to the lower pools.
The ghillie at Pedwell is Mel Wiggins (m: 07719 735725). Mel has been a boatman at Pedwell for many years and will ensure that rods are best placed to get the most out of their fishing. Make sure you give Mel a call before you visit and he can advise you on the correct equipment to bring. Rods should meet at the car park on the north side of Norham Bridge at 9am.
The owner reserves the right to fish a rod on the poorer water and to fish with one rod after 5.30pm on odd evenings.
Pedwell has joined a number of other beats on the lower and middle Tweed in providing facilities for boat fishing for disabled and elderly fishermen and women. Two boats specially adapted for wheelchairs are now available for booking with fishing. Details can be found on www.fishpal.com.
FISHING PRICES 2014 PRICE PER ROD PER DAY INCLUDING VAT 1 February to 28 June
£48.00
30 June to 2 August
£60.00
4 to 16 August
£108.00
15 September to 11 October
£228.00
18 August to 13 September
£192.00
13 to 25 October
£168.00
27 October to 29 November
£96.00
CATCHES—SALMON & GRILSE AND SEA TROUT 2009
FEB
MAR APR
MAY JUN JUL
AUG
10
2012
2013
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
2
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
1
2.2
0 4 0 9 2 8
14
NOV
0
TOTAL
2011
S&G
SEP
OCT
2010
60 99
0 0 0
0 0 9
3
12
0
80
4 0 0 0
7
14 96 75 7
293
0 1
0 8
4
16
8
16
2 3 4 0 0
22
0 0 0
0 1 0
21
18
12
0
12
0
1
17 4 3
97
1 0 0
19
1 1
11 0
36
0 0 0 0 2
0 1 1 4 2
0
16
0
31
2 0
4
36 1
92
0 0 0 2 2
0.0
2.8
0.2
5.2 9.4 7.0
25.6
0
34.4
0
10
ST
0.0
1 4
AV
34.6 2.2
123.4
0.2 0.8 5.0 3.4 0.8 2.0 0.0 0.0
12.4
11
TWEEDHILL - 4 RODS BOTTOM TWEED FISHING AT NORHAM, BERWICK UPON TWEED Five year average Salmon/Grilse – 201.4 Sea Trout – 10.2
Tweedhill is the bottom fishery on Tweed and the 2½ mile stretch finishes just above Paxton House. Like the other lower beats this stretch of the Tweed was historically a hostile territory. Now the 24 named pools offer excellent fly water with streams, riffles, glides and runs throughout its length. In low water conditions there is scarcely a better place to be on the entire river system. Being part tidal, fresh fish are brought into the beat twice in every 24 hours and provide magnificent sport.
The ghillie at Tweedhill is Brian ‘Ginger’ Palmer (m: 07770 964107). Brian’s enthusiasm and knowledge will make sure rods get the very best from their sport. Make sure you give Brian a call before you visit and he can advise you on the correct equipment to bring. Please meet the Ghillie at 9am at the main hut. To reach the beat from Berwick cross the Tweed Bridge on the A1 bypass heading north and take the first left turn, which is the B6461, and after about 4 miles you will find the turn to Fishwick on the left. The owners reserve the right to fish two additional rods. These owners’ rods will be restricted to fishing pools which will not disrupt the two main beats.
Please note that the tides may interrupt fishing for short periods on the bottom beat, and to help with this the boundary between the two beats is sometimes adjusted.
FISHING PRICES 2014 PRICE PER ROD PER DAY INCLUDING VAT 1 to 19 April
£48.00
30 June to 2 August
£96.00
21 April to 28 June
£72.00
4 to 30 August
£174.00
29 September to 1 November
£120.00
1 to 27 September
£198.00
3 to 29 November
£60.00
CATCHES—SALMON & GRILSE AND SEA TROUT 2009
FEB
MAR APR
MAY JUN JUL
AUG
12
2012
2013
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
ST
S&G
1
0
0
0
6
0
16
1
0
0
4.6
3
2
0 4 3 3 2 3
14
NOV
0
TOTAL
2011
S&G
SEP
OCT
2010
42 72
0 0
0 1
0
0
0
1
10
25
10
69
11
0
109
1
24
2
13
0
28
0
1
0
18
3
38
0
0 0
3
152 0
371
0 3 2 0 0
17
41 22 21 1 0
194
0
0
9 0 0
25
4 1 1
43 0
81
0 0 0
0 4 9
1
21
0
28
0 0
18 97
0
112
2
289
0
0
0 2
0.0
4.6
0.6
14.6
0
16.2
0 0 0 0
4
ST
0.0
0 2
AV
23.8 35.4 65.4 36.8 0.0
201.4
0.2 0.6 4.8 3.0 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.0
10.2
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EWAN HARRIS t 01668 281611 borders@smithsgore.co.uk
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smithsgore.co.uk
FISHING REGULATIONS SEASON - 1 FEBRUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
TO
30 NOVEMBER
Fishing is from 9am to 5pm with the Ghillie having an hour off at lunch time unless stated otherwise. There will be flexibility during the summer, especially if the Ghillie is able to work some evenings instead of mornings, but there is no obligation on him to do so. No Sunday fishing.
The Ghillie’s decision is final in all matters including safety aspects which relate to the fishery. In conditions of high water/a rising river and/or high winds, it will be left for the ghillie to decide if it is safe to use boats or to fish. Fly only on or before 14 February and on or after 15 September. It is illegal to sell fish in any form.
No prawns, worms or shrimps can be used at any time and gaffs are banned. Foul hooked and gravid fish must be returned to the river.
Fish caught belong to the guest. The proprietors will pay all fishing levies and taxes.
All sections of the Tweed Angling Code (and any amendments) are adopted by all beats and must be observed strictly by rods fishing the water. This includes the conservation measures contained in the 5 Year Spring Salmon Conservation Programme.
10 The River Tweed Commissioners Spring Salmon Conservation rules are mandatory on all beats and apply from 1 February to 30 June inclusive.
11 Under Health & Safety guidelines, owners are required to provide life jackets for all those fishing and to recommend their use. We have therefore provided the latest type of compact life jacket, which will not impair your ability to fish in comfort, and we strongly advise that you wear one when fishing. In the event that tenants decide not to make use of the lifejackets provided, tenants must sign the disclaimer option on the declaration form issued by the boatman before being permitted on the river.
12 No liability shall be incurred by the owners for any loss, damage or injury however caused to the angler or his guest and their property during the period of the let with or without any negligence on the part of the owners and their employees. 13 If you have any problems with your fishing, please tell the Ghillie straightaway.
14 Please remember that it is customary to give your Ghillie a tip at the end of your fishing and also that he gets the full details of any fish caught.
15 Every effort will be made to provide a boatman/ghillie where stated, but no absolute guarantee of this service is given and no liability shall adhere to the proprietors if for any reason they are unable to provide this service to the angler.
BOOKING
◆ Payment for fishing must be made at the time of booking - otherwise we reserve the right to re-let. No reservation will be made without full payment. ◆ Payments from abroad should be made by a Sterling draft/cheque through the United Kingdom agents of the overseas bank concerned.
◆ No refunds will be given on fishing charges due to adverse weather or water conditions.
◆ CANCELLATIONS—No refunds will be given unless we re-let when a cancellation charge of £25 will be made.
◆ No sub-letting at higher rates than our quoted prices.
◆ Previous spring and summer fishing guests will have first option on any fishing weeks in the autumn that may become vacant.
◆ A Gyrodactylus Salaris Declaration must be signed before fishing.
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18-20 Glendale Road, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6DW t 01668 280803 e borders@smithsgore.co.uk
smithsgore.co.uk