Scottish Salmon Angling Clubs & Associations
Scotland is blessed with some of the best Atlantic Salmon fishing in the world, offering wonderful fishing on many unique salmon rivers of varying size and character. Prime time varies from region to region and river to river but, from January to November, salmon may be caught on rivers throughout Scotland.
The most sought after Scottish salmon fishing – on the most productive prime time beats on famous rivers like the big four, i.e. Tweed, Spey, Dee and Tay, or on some of the smaller but equally renowned streams like the Helmsdale, Findhorn, Oykel and Naver, to name but a few – is invariably expensive and often inaccessible to the casual visitor, the best beats at the best times often being booked well in advance by regular tenants.
This is where the many angling associations and fishing clubs throughout Scotland come into their own, offering affordable fishing to both local and visiting anglers, often at short notice with no need to book in advance. If you pick your fishing times wisely, or are fortunate to meet with favourable conditions of water and weather, there is some great fishing to be had on the association waters of salmon and sea trout rivers up and down the country.
Here I hope to give an idea of the often superb fishing opportunities presented by our angling clubs and associations, on Scottish salmon rivers north, south, east and west, and to provide information on contacts, permits etc. for the visiting angler.
Fishing Clubs and Angling Associations in Scotland
Accessible trout, salmon and sea trout fishing on Scottish Rivers and Lochs
River Allan
Allan Water Angling Association
The Allan Water Angling Improvement Association controls approximately 15 miles of mostly double bank fishing on this major tributary of the River Forth. The association offers affordable brown trout, sea trout, and salmon fishing for all, with visitor permits readily available to all.
The season runs from 15th March to 6th October for trout and 31st October for salmon and sea trout.
Further Information
River Alness
The Alness Angling Club manages the salmon and sea trout fishings on the River Averon which flows from its source Loch Morie though the valley of Kildermorie to enter the sea at Alness. Day tickets are available from Kardz shop in the middle of Alness high street.
Further Information
River Annan
Upper Annan Angling Association
The Upper Annandale Angling Association offers excellent fishing for salmon, sea trout, wild brown trout and grayling on eight miles of the River Annan. The association controls the fishing on two stretches of the Annan – the Applegarth Beat, 4 mile beat north of Lockerbie and the Upper Beat, another 4 mile beat south of Moffat, mostly both banks.
Day and weekly permits are available at affordable prices throughout the season.
Further Information
River Ayr
Mauchline and Ballochmyle Angling Club
MBAC now offer fishing for salmon, sea trout and brown trout on the River Ayr and Lugar Water. Season, weekly and day permits are available at affordable rates.
Further Information
Salmon Fishing in the South of Scotland
Border Esk
Border Esk and Liddel Angling Club
Formed in 2011, The Border Esk and Liddel Angling Club manages the salmon and sea trout fishing on eighteen miles of the Border Esk and Liddel, for the benefit of both members and visiting anglers.
The salmon season runs from 1st April to 31st October. Fish are often present on the opening day on the lower beats such as Canonbie and Lower Liddel. These early arrivals are usually MSW fish weighing into teens of pounds. Given good water levels salmon stocks increase throughout the summer months, with late July usually seeing the arrival of grilse. Given favourable conditions, the grilse runs continue until they merge with the main autumn runs from late August onwards. Both rivers produce fish weighing into the teens of pounds and twenty pounders plus are taken every season.
The Border Esk is famed for its sea trout fishing. The sea trout season runs from 1st April to 31st August. Prime sea trout months are June and July, with the average weight around two pounds with a few larger fish up to 10lbs.
Various season, weekly and day permits are available from local outlets.
Further Information
River Beauly
Beauly Angling Club offers affordable salmon and sea trout fishing permits on the River Beauly in the north of Scotland.
Beauly Angling Club has water on the lower river, owned by Lovat Estates, which can be very good for sea trout. Day tickets are available for the tidal stretch below Lovat bridge. Further up the river, the Downie beat can also be excellent for sea trout, with a good Spring run around April and again in July when the main summer run of sea trout enters the river. Most of the Beauly beats are owned by Lovat Estates.
Further Information
River Carron
Larbert and Stenhousemuir Angling Club
The Larbert and Stenhousemuir Angling club manages most of the salmon, trout and sea trout fishing on the River Carron from Denny to below Larbert.
Permits are available from local tackle shops.
Further Information
Salmon Fishing in Central Scotland
River Clyde
United Clyde Angling Association
The Association offers season and day permits for the salmon and sea trout fishing on that part of the main stem of the River Clyde between Stonebyres Falls and Motherwell Bridge with exceptions of certain restricted areas.
The association also offers excellent brown trout and grayling at affordable rates.
The Mid Clyde association offers migratory, trout and coarse fishing permits on a day and season ticket basis for 8 miles of double bank fishing in the lower Clyde from Bothwell bridge to Dalmarnock bridge. The association waters are split into 2 beats – the Carmyle beat, 2miles of single right bank from the Bloody burn to the Battle burn, which is owned by the association, and the Crown lease.
The River Kelvin Angling Association was formed in 1992 and has gone from strength to strength, now numbering over 700 members who regularly fish the river for salmon, sea trout and brown trout
Season permits are available at tackle shops throughout Glasgow. Concessionary permits are available and under 16s can fish for free as long as they are with an adult member who has a permit.
The Avon Angling Club has been in existence for over forty years, its aim to provide affordable, quality fishing for both the local and visiting Anglers.
The AAC have the trout fishing leases from Browns bridge to the confluence with the Clyde – the majority of the river. The club also leases the salmon rights from the Crown Estates for the whole river.
Purchase an annual permit confirms you as a Avon Angling Club member and this entitles you to vote at our regular monthly meetings.
Further Information
River Conon
Dingwall & District Angling Club controls the Estuary Beat of the River Conon, which extends for approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) from below the railway bridge at Conon Bridge down to the start of the Cromarty Firth. The best salmon fishing tends to be in summer/low water conditions and salmon tend to travel through the beat quickly when the water is high, so salmon & grilse catches tend to be modest in the spring, and peak between June and August. In the 2006 season, 103 salmon & grilse were caught on the club waters, but the catch return for 2007 was just 24 as high water prevailed for much of the season.
The Estuary Beat is entirely tidal and is best fished in the hours either side of low tide, when access is much easier. The angling club have divided their water into 2 beats – a top and bottom beat – with the boundary being below the anchor pool.
Top Beat
The top beat can be fished for salmon, grilse or sea trout with the pools immediately below Conon Bridge being the most productive.
Bottom Beat
Fishing on the Bottom Beat is for sea trout and finnock only. Because the fishings are tidal they benefit from sea trout and finnock being present from April through to September. The angling club beat can still produce large numbers of sea trout, and as recently as 2002, 321 sea trout and 254 finnock were caught. These figures exclude finnock of 12″ (30.5cm) or less.
Further Information
River Cree
Newton Stewart Angling Association
Newton Stewart Angling Association manage salmon and salmon fishing on the River Cree and Penkiln Burn, in addition to the trout fishing on six local lochs
Fishing is available on a daily or weekly basis for visitors, through association membership for local permanent residents, or through associate membership for non residents. All options represent excellent value for money.
Further Information
River Dee
Aberdeen and District Angling Association
Aberdeen Angling Association offer salmon and sea trout fishing permits for salmon fishing on the River Dee, River Don and River Ythan in Aberdeenshire, north east Scotland.
The association manages 30 miles of salmon and trout fishing on the Rivers, Don, Dee and Ythan.
The River Dee beats are reserved for full local association members but daily visitor permits (i.e. not a resident within 25 miles of Aberdeen) for salmon and sea trout are currently available or a weekly (seven days excluding Sunday) “Roving” ticket covering:
- Upper and Lower Parkhill on the River Don
- Upper and Lower Fintray on the River Don
- Kemnay on the River Don
- Upper Stoneywood on the River Don
- Balbithan and Torryburn on the River Don
- Belmuir and Methlick beats on the River Ythan
Further Information
River Deveron
Turriff Angling Association have 3/4 mile of fishing just outside Turriff. The association caters for visiting anglers with both daily and weekly tickets, boasting eight pools which will fish in all heights of water. Although mainly fly fishing, spinning and worming are allowed in periods of high water. Salmon of 15 lb are not uncommon whilst a 30 lb fish was landed and returned in October 2002. Sea-trout arrive in June and average 2 to 3 lb but the Deveron does yield a number around 7 lb each season. Despite its length (although the bottom half is double bank) it can be a prolific beat in higher water. In the year 2002 it came in the top five beats on the number of fish caught.
The visitor tickets are £150 per week from May until 31st October and four rods are available. Daily tickets are available at £30 per day.
Further details and bookings can be made by ringing Frank on 01888 562428.
Further Information
River Don
Aberdeen and District Angling Association
The association have extensive river fishings on the Rivers Dee, Don, Ythan and Feugh, offering superb game fishing for salmon, sea trout and brown trout.
In addition, the association manages stillwater fishing on the Loch of Loirston and the Parkhill Fishery, both stocked with blues & rainbows.
Membership of the association is open to anyone and day and weekly permits are available for visiting anglers.
Alford Angling Association, established in 2018, manages the fishing for Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout fishing on the Waterside and Haughton beats of the river Don. Membership and day permits are available at very affordable prices, allowing fishing on both beats, each just over a mile long, with good access and parking. Information and maps can be viewed on the association website. Further information is provided on the relevant Fishing the Fly Scotland website page at Alford Angling Association
Further Information
River Earn
Crieff Angling Club controls three beats on the River Earn: Upper Strowan, Braidhaugh, and Drummond Castle, which together cover some 5 miles of the river, mostly both banks. Permit is by Day Ticket or Club Membership. Day Tickets, for non-members, can be purchased to fish for salmon & sea trout, brown trout and grayling on separate permits. Members, local or country, may for any species. The Club also controls Drummond Loch.
Comrie Angling Club controls the salmon and sea trout fishing on several miles of the rivers Earn and Ruchil, in addition to wild brown trout and grayling fishing. Anglers may apply for local or associate membership, giving access to all fishing. Day and weekly visitor permits are also available locally.
Further Information
River Findhorn
Forres Angling Association controls four miles of double bank salmon and sea trout fishing on the lower River Findhorn. Some pools are fly only and have high and low bank fishing.
Day and weekly permits are available to visiting anglers throughout the season, available from the local tackle shop in Forres.
Further Information
River Girvan
Carrick Angling Club, a salmon, sea trout and trout fishing club in Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland.
The club was founded in the year 1894 by local land owners, bankers and lawyers who loved the art of angling. It is known to be one of the oldest clubs in Scotland.
The club offers more than 3 miles of river fishing on the river Girvan, from Old Dailly all the way downstream to Newton Kennedy bridge at Nobles boat yard in Girvan. We have single bank fishing and double bank fishing, for salmon, sea trout and wild brown trout. Part of the river bank has wheelchair access.
The club also has a well stocked reservoir with rainbow trout and blue trout, fly fishing only, to suit all anglers needs .
Girvan Mains Fishing Club is based on the lower stretches of the River Girvan, encompassing some of the best pools the Girvan has to offer.
Being the 1st stretch of river from the sea, we see a good run of fish every month of the year and also have the first crack at them, for the past 3 years in a row the biggest Salmon has been landed by a Girvan Mains FC member.
The club offers full season membership and day permits at reasonable rates.
Further Information
Salmon Fishing in the South of Scotland
River Helmsdale
Helmsdale Angling Association (Town water)
Visitors may obtain day and weekly permits for the Town water, from 11th January until 30th September at a cost of £25 per day or £100 per week, with half price permits for OAPs and under 16s. The beat is 1 mile long and double bank. Fishing is by fly only.
Further Information
River Helmsdale Salmon Fishing
River Irvine
The club offers salmon fishing on the Rivers Irvine and Annick through club membership and day permits.
The club offers access to the trout and salmon fishing on the River Irvine around Kilmarnock through season and day permits.
Further Information
Salmon Fishing in the South of Scotland
Kyle of Sutherland
Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association
The Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association provides affordable salmon and sea trout fishing on the Kyle of Sutherland, and wild brown trout fishing on the surrounding hill lochs for local and visiting anglers.
Anglers may apply for membership of the association. In addition, a range of visitors permits are available locally.
Further Information
Kyle of Sutherland Salmon Fishing
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Angling Association
The Loch Lomong Angling Improvement Association waters include the whole of Loch Lomond, all of the River Leven, extensive parts of the Rivers Endrick and Fruin as well as the River Leven estuary, the salmon and sea trout fishing on the north bank of the Clyde estuary and the majority of the Gareloch and Kilcreggan peninsula.
Season, weekly and day permits are available from many local outlets and anglers may apply for full membership via the association website, giving access to all fishing waters.
Further Information
River Nairn
Nairn Angling Association
The Nairn Angling Association holds 8 miles of fishing offering the local and visiting angler some of the best association water in Scotland. The fishings are over some 7 beats and include some excellent fly water. The Nairn season runs from March 1st to 7th October and day or weekly tickets are available to visiting anglers. Methods are fly and worm, with spinning also allowed when water levels are above the spinning marks.
For a relatively small river it can be very productive, with salmon caught from the start of the season in March.
Season, weekly and day permits are available from:
Permits & Tackle
Pat Fraser
41 High Street
Nairn
Tel 01667 453038
Further Information
River Ness
Inverness Angling Club (IAC) offers angling for salmon, grilse and sea trout on some three miles of double bank fishings where there is always a good chance of a fish. The five year average up to 2016 was 185 salmon and grilse.
Permits are available from Graham’s of Inverness, the leading tackle dealer located in Castle Street (Telephone 01463 233178) See Fishing/Permits for prices and to download membership application forms.
Further Information
River Nith
Dumfries and Galloway Angling Association
DGAA control the fishing, for all species, on a 2.5 mile double bank stretch of the lower river Nith. Being at the lower end of the river, fresh fish can be encountered throughout the season, from the first day to the last. The season runs from the 25th of February until the 30th of November for migratory fish, one of the longest open seasons in the country. Season, weekly and day permits are available to visiting anglers.
Further Information
South Esk
The fishings controlled by the Kirriemuir Angling Club are located in Glen Clova, Glen Prosen and Glen Isla, around 14 miles in total, in the foothills of the Grampian Mountains and provide excellent angling for both members and day/weekly ticket holders for salmon and sea trout in beautiful and secluded surroundings in the Angus Glens. The club also has access to Craigo, a lower river and very productive beat on the North Esk.
Anglers may apply for full club membership. I addition, day and weekly permits are available to visiting anglers. For more information or membership applications please contact club secretary Ross Watson by email at ross.watson1@btinternet.com or telephone 01575 574597
Further Information
River Spey
Abernethy and Aviemore Angling Improvement Association offer superb salmon and sea trout fishing on two separate beats over ten miles of the upper middle River Spey around Aviemore and Boat of Garten.
Anglers may apply for full association membership and day and weekly permits are available to visiting anglers.
Strathspey Angling Improvement Association
The Strathspey Angling Improvement Association, based at Grantown on Spey, offers excellent salmon and sea trout fishing over seven miles of the River Spey. Season, weekly and day permits are available from Mortimer’s Tackle Shop in Grantown. For map and photographs of the fishing pools on the Grantown Angling Association water, see:
Grantown Association Spey Fishing Pools
Aberlour Angling Club offers 1.5 miles of single bank fishing on the prime middle reaches of the River Spey, with day and weekly permits available from Munro’s Tackle shop, Aberlour.
For more information, contact hamish@munro-of-speyside.com or visit the association Facebook page
Fochabers Angling Association has access to the beat known as Lower Water One on the lower River Spey. This beat is 1.3 miles in length, has both banks, and is approximately 4 miles from the sea.
The Association has forty local members with four visitors permits allowed per day.
Speymouth Angling Association
The association provide fishing for members and visitors on approximately one and a half miles of double bank fishing on the lower river. The water is generally lightly fished up until August when it can be very busy. It can fish well during the spring months depending on the water level, low levels being preferred. July and August can be very good but again dependent on conditions. August is generally the more productive. Six salmon and six sea trout visitor’s tickets are available from Monday to Saturday, at prices ranging from £5 to £60 per day.
Contact the secretary, Mrs Moira Brown, The Wedges, Tugnet, Spey Bay, IV32 7PJ Tel: 01343 820703
Further Information
River Tay
Perth and District Angling Association
Membership of the PDAA offers some of the best-value salmon and trout fishing in the country. Tay Beats for 2017 include Rome Croy, Stobhall, Benchil, Pitlochrie, Murthly and Findynate, among many others.
There are few clubs that can equal the level of angling provision on offer (approximately 6000 rod days per season) for an annual fee of just £190 (plus £5 joining fee). Senior citizens who have been a member for at least one year qualify for a discounted rate (£150), youth members (aged 17 to 21) pay £85, and junior members pay only £10 per season. (NB Membership fees are reviewed annually.)
The association is actively seeking to recruit new members – for more details see About PDAA, or apply online using our Membership Application Form.
The club has a membership of about 130, including local members and associate members. At present full membership is restricted to persons resident within PH15 postcode area, and Associate membership is open to anyone wishing to join, but associate membership is restricted to trout fishing on the river only.
Full member’s permits, Associate members permits, day trout permits, for Bolfracks, Town Water and Grandtully, and salmon permits for the Town Water, are all available from Wades News Agent, Bank Street, Aberfeldy. Phone number 01887 820397. Likewise coarse and grayling permits during the winter.
Salmon permits for the Town water cost £20 per day.
Further Information
River Tummel
Day permits are available for visitors to fish for salmon on Portnacraig and Pitlochry beats of the River Tummel. The season runs from January 15 to October 15 and the double bank fishing on Portnacraig Pitlochry offers some of the most productive spring salmon fishing available on the River Tay system. Fresh fish arrive from January onwards and good sport can be expected from March to mid-June with spring runs best during April and May.
Permits are also available for the Ruan Ruarie Salmon Beat on the River Garry. Once the salmon begin to run up through the ladder(usually in early April) there will be a steady stream of fish moving through the beat. Very high water seems to hold the fish below the Soldier’s Leap but in average water conditions fish can be found in almost any of the fast streams or deeper holding pools. There are at least 12 holding pools spread along the length of the beat, with ample water suitable for both fly and spinning. For fly fishing, a single handed rod can be used when the water is low. However, in most conditions, a double handed rod of between 12 and 14 feet gives an advantage.
Further Information
River Tweed
Angling Association salmon fishing permits on the River Tweed and tributaries Whiteadder and Teviot.
There are a number of excellent clubs and associations on the River Tweed system which make fishing available to visiting anglers, including the following:
| Berwick and District Angling Association |
| Ladykirk & Norham Angling Association |
| Coldstream & District Angling Association |
| Kelso Angling Association |
| St Boswells Angling Association |
| Melrose & District Angling Association |
| Gala Angling Association |
| Peebles Trout Fishing Association |
| Whiteadder Angling Association |
| Hawick Angling Club |
| Greenlaw Angling Club |
| Gordon Angling Association |
| Selkirk & District Angling Association |
| St Mary’s Loch Angling Association |
| Earlston Angling Association |
| Jedforest Angling Association |
Further Information
River Tyne
East Lothian Angling Association
The association manages the trout, salmon and sea trout fishing on the Est Lothian Tyne. Season and day permits are available.
For more details see ELAA Permits
Further Information
River Ugie
The association manages the salmon and sea trout fishing on the River Ugie, a small spate river entering the sea at Peterhead. Once renowned for its sea trout, an annual sea trout catch of around 300 can now be expected, with a further 100 salmon.
Season, weekly and day permits re available at reasonable rates. Fo more information see River Ugie Permits
Further Information
River Ugie Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing
River Urr
Dalbeattie Angling Association
Dalbeattie Angling Association manages three and a half miles of the salmon and sea trout fishing on the lower River Urr, with an annual catch in the region of 80 salmon and 30 sea trout. There is some good fly water and spinning is allowed in high water. The main runs of migratory fish occur from late summer to the end of the season on November 30th.
Throughout most of year, visitor tickets are readily available but on Saturdays, visitor tickets are limited to 10 during March to September, reducing to 6 on Saturdays in October and November.
Day permit prices range from £16 to £40 depending on the time of year. Permits for weekdays and Saturdays are available through McCowans in Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas.
McCowan and Son
50 King Street
Castle Douglas
Tel: 01556 502009
McCowan Millar
43 High Street
Dalbeattie
Tel: 01556 610270
Further Information
River Wick
The Wick Angling Association controls the salmon and sea trout fishing between Loch Watten and Wick, with more than twenty pools available. Permits are available to visiting anglers at around £20 per day.
Permits from: Hugo Ross, Tackle Shop, Wick.
Further Information
Scottish Islands
Salmon Angling Associations and Clubs in the Scottish Islands
Skye
Portree Angling Association controls most of the angling in the North East of the Island of Skye, including the rights for the Storr Lochs, along with many rivers and other waters.There are Association boats on the Storr Lochs and these include a wheelie boat for disabled access.
The Isle of Skye is a great location for salmon and trout fishing and its mainly spate rivers attract anglers from all over the country. Portree Angling Association has access to beats on the Snizort, Lealt, Kilmartin, Ose, Amer, Kilmaluag and Brogaig rivers. Salmon catches in 2010 were the best for many years.
The season runs from 15th March until mid October and whilst fair means can be used on some rivers, the fly is the preferred method of fishing.
Lewis and Harris
Lewis and Harris have some of the best, most readily available and inexpensive freshwater game fishing in the whole of Scotland. Salmon and sea trout fishing is available at over 20 fisheries, many within just 20 miles of the Island’s main town Stornoway, while trout fishing is available on the hundreds of trout lochs scattered around the Island. The brown trout fishing season runs from March 15th to October 6th with May, June and July being the best months, while the salmon and sea trout season runs from April 1st until October 15th with July, August and September being the best fishing months.
The Stornoway Angling Association (SAA), formed in 1931, today has a membership of about 200 members annually. SAA membership is open to local, as well as visiting anglers, and members have access to some superb fishing. This includes salmon and sea trout fishing on the River Creed fishery near Stornoway, salmon and trout fishing from the Association’s two boats located on the remote, and picturesque, Loch Langavat and trout fishing (bank and free use of boats) on over a dozen lochs located within 10 miles of Stornoway.
Gress Angling Club
The Gress River runs eight miles from its source at Loch Ghrias to the estuary at Gress sands in the north east of the island.
The river is now under the management of The Gress Angling Association who are now working on the recovery of migratory fish stocks. It is early days but recent catches show signs of improvement: the five year average catch now stands at 16 salmon/grilse, 162 sea trout and 111 brown trout.
Season is June 1st to October 15th. Visitors day tickets are £10.
Permits from Sportsworld, 1 – 3 Francis Street, Stornoway. Tel No: 01851 70 5464.
Contact
Donnie Maciver
Tel: 01851 703434
Mobile:07717344246 (9am to 5pm)
Anglers may fish for salmon, sea trout and brown trout in:
Carloway River
Loch Laxabhat Ard
Loch Laxabhat Lorach
Loch Airigh na Seibh
Non-members are welcome.
Day Tickets £10.00
Week Tickets £40.00
Maps of the areas can be seen at the ticket sales points.
Non Members Welcome
Permits from Sportsworld, 1 – 3 Francis Street, Stornoway. Tel No: 01851 70 5464.
Fideach Angling Club
Cockle Ebb, by Laxdale and Stornoway, confluence of the Blackwater and Laxdale Rivers.
North Uist
The fishing on North Uist is controlled by two bodies. North Uist Estate which controls the larger part of the available fishing and North Uist Angling Club who have the rights to fish Newton and Balranald Estates. Fishing on all lochs is exclusively by fly and there is no Sunday fishing.
South Uist
South Uist and Benbecula has some of the finest wild brown trout and sea trout in the country and is fly fishing only. The club has 18 estate boats and up to 12 South Uist Angling Club boats available throughout the season. Please note that Storas Uibhist owns all fishing rights and is the largest community owned estate in Scotland. All revenue generated is reinvested for the benefit of the local community.
Angling club permits can be obtained through Daliburgh Post Office, MacGillivary’s Shop in Balivanich, Eriskay’s Shop and Storas Uibhist’s Office in Daliburgh.
Orkney
Orkney Trout Fishing Association
Orkney offers superb opportunities for wild brown trout and sea trout fishing. The OTFA is a non-profit making voluntary body dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of game fishing throughout the Orkney Islands.
Membership of the OTFA is the most active way for the individual angler to support the essential work of conservation and preservation of the trout fishing in Orkney. For a nominal sum of money, local and visiting anglers may use all the facilities of the Association and also ensure the future of some of the best wild trout fishing available.
Further Information