Fishing in the Scottish Borders
     
The Scottish Borders has everything for the angler. From the internationally famous salmon fishing on the River Tweed itself, to the excellent sea trout fishing on its tributaries; from the rainbow trout in the local lochs to the wilder brown trout in the rivers; and from the course fishing of the lower Tweed to the sea fishing off the Berwickshire coast. There is plenty to choose from, whatever you pocket, and all of it surrounded by the Borders' magnificent scenery.  
     
Salmon Fishing
 
Sea Trout

Often called the queen of salmon rivers, the River Tweed runs right through the heart of the Borders. Famous salmon pools with strange sounding names like Weetles, Galoshan and Carry Wiel attract anglers from all over the world to test their skills with rod and line.

The long season runs from 1st February to 30th November and during it more salmon are caught on the fly than any other British river. The Tweed is most famous for its autumn run of large fish, with a few fish even approaching the 30lb mark. The spring run is of smaller fish, but they are in mint condition and favoured by the purist anger. Summer fish are generally slightly larger and, although difficult to catch in low water, can provide extremely good value fishing if there is a small rise in water.

Ghillies are provided by most beats to look after anglers, and they give invaluable help to the many beginners who try their hand each year. There is a wide choice of fishing available, with even the most famous beats having vacancies at some time or another during the year and often for as little as £25 per day.

  The best sea trout fishing is on the Tweed's tributaries notably the Til & Whiteadder, both of which can perform well in the summer. Fish are also caught then on the lower Tweed, but later on in the year they spread throughout the river system, the large fish run in the autumn and are often just as prized by anglers as the salmon. Hence the rights to fish for sea trout and salmon go together and it is not possible to take separate permits for them. The season is the same for salmon.
     
Brown Trout
 
Sea Fishing
The Tweed, with its tributaries the Teviot, Ettrick, Leader, Whiteadder and many other small streams, provides fishing for brown trout, many of them wild. Trout average about a third of a pound, but fish up to 2lb are common, with top weights reaching 4lb. Rainbow trout fishing is also available in local lochs many of which are beautifully located and provide an excellent alternative to the river.

The statutory open season for brown trout fishing is from 15th March to 6th October, but it is usually reduced by clubs to between 1st April and 30th September with Sunday fishing very limited except on some lochs. During April and May, daytime fishing is best, while in June, July and August the best time is early evening and dusk.		   The Berwickshire coast offers excellent sea angling, with Eyemouth being the main centre, although boats also operate from Burnmouth and St. Abbs. Fish can be caught from shore or boat with the main species being cod, mackerel, coalfish, flounder, plaice, sole, haddock, whiting, catfish, ling and wrasse. Again there is no closed season, so the weather is the only restricting factor.
 
 
 
 
Loch Fishing in the Borders