FishPal Journal

A new feature-length documentary produced by rewilding charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, shows how Scotland’s rivers – and the landscapes they run through – could be re-energised by regenerating river woodlands.

Three years in the making, the film Riverwoods, is narrated by actor Peter Capaldi, and shot by the award-winning film making team at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.

The Conon Syndicate Fishing runs through the Brahan estate and is entirely owned by the syndicate members.

An opportunity has arisen to purchase salmon fishing rights in perpetuity for two rods during Spring on the River Conon. The April week starts during the Easter Holidays this year and on most years.

It was a good start to last week with a rise in the river following the weekend weather, midweek we got some breezy days and then the cold snap and show started to fall at 6am on Friday morning and continued for most of the day, some great photos to share with this report, with news of catches along the river.

The Tay Rivers Trust, Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board and FishPal are organising a series of ladies days across the river during 2022 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the legendary Miss Georgina Ballantine and her 64lb Tay salmon. The fish remains the biggest salmon ever caught in British waters with rod and line.

To celebrate this remarkable achievement, the first ladies day will be held on the prestigious FishPonds Beat, Saturday 19th March. The day will include salmon fishing from the boat and bank, tuition with a AAPGAI casting instructor, and a hot lunch in the comfortable fishing hut .

Smithston Fishings form one of the most productive salmon and sea trout fisheries on the River Doon in Ayrshire. The fishings comprises some thirty five named, streamy and varied pools along its 2.5 miles of fishing of which 1.75 miles is double bank.

The fishing is less than one hour from Glasgow and ninety minutes from Edinburgh.

Allendale Estates require a Head Ghillie for the Bywell Beat on the Tyne.

The Bywell beat of the River Tyne is one of the best stretches of salmon fishing in England. Running directly through the estate, the stunning 2.5 miles long beat offers a variety of bank, boat and wading opportunities.

Anglers wanting to fish the fly, Murthly 1 & 2 offer some of the best fly water on the river.

These beats fish well throughout the season. Many spring salmon seem to make their first stop in the Murthly area and so a fresh springer can always be expected. Then in the summer the grilse fishing can be first rate. There is usually a good head of fresh grilse and conditions are perfect for the fly. Then given a lift in the water big catches of back end fish can then be made in the autumn.

The Stora-Laxa is one of Iceland’s most amazing salmon rivers

The river Stora-Laxa is one of the places in the south-west of Iceland where anglers are most likely to hook a big salmon. Most fishermen that have learned the secrets of the Stora Laxa are drawn back every year. Stora Laxa is 90 km from the capital Reykjavik. The salmon season is only 90 days from June 24 until September 24 each year which is very common for most all salmon rivers in Iceland

New Fishing Certificates created for two productive weeks.

The Aboyne Water Fishings Club was established in 1984 and owns the fishing rights on 2.5 miles (approx) of the North (left) bank of the Aberdeenshire Dee, immediately downstream from Aboyne Bridge. There are 8 main pools of classic fly water. Wading is generally easy and may not be required in high water. The beat caught 80 salmon and grilse with four fish of 20 lbs and over, and just over 40 sea trout, during the 2021 season.

Many of you will have seen that FishPal recently launched our new website (please take a look!).  Today’s update is to give you a flavour for the improvements that are complete, those that are ongoing and our future plans for the site. 

We’re also delighted to trial removing the booking fee, previously charged between £2 and £20 on every booking at check out.  We want to reduce costs for our customers.  If bookings respond positively, we hope to be able to make this a permanent change, and more new will follow on this.  In the meantime, book today to take advantage of the situation!