DRUMLANRIG FISHINGS River, Loch and Pond Fishing Queensberry Estate | Drumlanrig Mains, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway, DG3 4AG Tel: 01848 600415 | Email: [email protected] | www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk 1. DRUMLANRIG FISHINGS Drumlanrig Fishings have increased from reputation for the quality of its Salmon previous years and now cover a 10.5 mile and Sea Trout. On its long and winding stretch of the River Nith on the Duke of journey, the river travels from its source Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate. This at New Cumnock in Ayrshire, to its includes a 7 mile stretch that has been mouth at the Solway. carefully managed for generations as the private waters of Drumlanrig Castle, Over the years, the average weight of the magnificent home of Their Graces, Salmon caught has been around 8lb, the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and although fish over 20lb are not unusual. Queensberry. The 17th Century pink Grilse can average 4-5lb, Sea Trout sandstone castle provides a splendid 2lb and Grayling 2lb. The Sea Trout backdrop to the river, which is at its fishing is best in the summer months most attractive where it runs through the while the height of the Salmon season grounds of the Estate. In addition, we now spans September through to the end of offer fishing on part of the River Scaur, November. Unlike many other rivers, the which is a tributary of the River Nith. Salmon season runs from 25th February until 30th November. Grayling fishing The lochs and ponds are all located near runs from 1st December to 31st March. Thornhill in a glorious countryside setting on the Estate. Thornhill is a small market Please note that owing to new Scottish town which serves a large rural district and Government legislation, all Salmon/ is situated 15 miles north west of Dumfries. Grilse must be returned to the water The Estate is located just off the A76 and is DEAD or ALIVE. It is an offence to signposted from the M74 (J14 southbound) dispatch a Salmon/Grilse and anyone and A702 at Abington and Elvanfoot. doing so it liable to prosecution as a The River Nith is the largest river in Dumfries consequence. and Galloway, and has an established 2 2. DESCRIPTION The fishing on the River Nith comprises mainly double bank fishing. The river broadens from a rocky gorge into a mainly gravelled riverbed with suitable pools and reaches which provide good accessible fishing for Salmon, Sea Trout and Grayling. This is divided into stretches known as the Nith Linns, The Castle Beats (divided into Upper, Middle and Lower Beats) and the Boatford Beat. Providing weather conditions are favourable, Salmon will run early in the year; last season Salmon ran earlier than usual in July and August. Sea Trout also run early and can be expected in quantity from May onwards, whilst Grayling run in the winter months. Although slightly differing in lengths, the Castle beats are balanced for quality and each contains a proportion of low and high water pools, thereby ensuring fishable water at all times, except perhaps during periods of extreme drought or high flood. Nith Linns runs for 2 miles immediately above the Upper Beat and is mainly fished from the true left (East Bank). It has many streams and pools which provide good lies for both Salmon and Sea Trout as well as Brown Trout. Rocky in nature, it has steep banks. The Boatford Beat runs for 3.5 miles below the Lower Beat with a number of streams and pools. 3 miles of this beat provide double bank fishing. The River Scaur fishing comprises 8 miles of double bank fishing plus 1/2 mile of single bank fishing. Fishing on the Nith Linns, Castle Upper Beat, Boatford Beat and Scaur Beat is by way of a combined permit and these combined stretches of water are referred to as the Mid Nithsdale Beat. For any enquiries regarding the status of the river or specific information on fishing, please contact Erin Hunter, River Manager, (Tel 07765 002142). For the latest catch returns and river conditions, please phone the Estate Office on 01848 600415 or our River Manager. BOOKINGS: Bookings can be made directly with the Estate Office or, outwith normal office hours, either at the Buccleuch & Queensberry Arms Hotel, Thornhill, or with the River Manager. 3 3. NEW FOR THE 2016 SEASON Season Ticket holders Mid Nithsdale Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to fish the private Castle beats, provided the beats are not let out, at no extra cost. This will be on a fly only basis with a maximum of 3 rods on at any time. To take up this opportunity, PLEASE apply through the Estate Office in advance. Chapman Cup This Season we have decided to introduce the Chapman Cup for the first Salmon caught of the season on the Drumlanrig Castle Lower and Middle beats. The angler will be presented by our River Manager with a bottle of Douglas Single Malt Whisky and their name will be engraved on the cup, which will be displayed at the Estate Office. A picture and weight must be brought to the Estate Office or shown to our River Manager to be considered for the cup. Time Share - Drumlanrig Castle Beats For the 2016 season we are introducing time share for Saturday rods. We are looking for two teams of four who will alternate between the Lower and Middle beat during the months of September, October and November. A discount price will be given for this block. Should the river be unfishable due to flood/draught on any given Saturdays, we shall allow participating rods to fish either of our two Lochs free of charge on a catch and release basis. For more information, please contact the fishing desk on 01848 600415 or our River Manager on 07765002142. Syndicate Lochs As you can see from our fishing price list for 2016, Hillhead and Farthingbank Lochs are not included. Hillhead and Farthingbank will be syndicated from this year. For further information, please contact the Estate Office or our River Manager. 4. ACCOMODATION Our preferred partner, the Buccleuch & Queensberry Arms Hotel in Thornhill, is able to offer breaks including fishing and other rural pursuits. In addition, day fishing permits may be bought at the hotel. www.bqahotel.com | 01848 323101 4 5. RIVER NITH BEATS 5.1 NITH LINNS Fly fishing preferred, spinning and worming possible HELLS CAULDRON POOL: Steps from the A76 take you down on to the river. A long narrow pool ideal for spinning from the rocks. Very difficult walking. MALCOLMFLAT POOL: Steps from the A76 take you down to the pool. Best for the fly fisher, and for spinning if the river is running at about 2½ ft. Fish from the rocks as wading is very difficult. LONG STRAIGHT POOL: Another good pool on the beat. Heavily wooded on both sides of the river. Steps lead down from the A76. Ideal for both fly and spinning. Runs for about 250 metres. Fish from side as wading is very difficult. MILESTONE POOL: One of the best pools on the beat. One for the fly fisher. Access from the A76; steps take you down to the river. Runs for about 200 metres. Fish tend to lie behind rocks in the (5.1) NITH LINNS middle of the river. Heavily wooded on both sides of the river. Able to wade along the side. AUCHENSELL POOL: Fish this pool from the rocks. Ideal for the worm fisher and also ideal for the spinner lower down. A lovely spot with woods coming down to the river’s edge. PALM TREE POOL: Steps lead down from the A76. Ideal for fly fishing or spinning when the water is at the right height - about 2½ ft. COW POOL: A wonderful spot to spend a day’s fishing, with the timber coming right down to the river’s edge. A long narrow pool running for about 150 metres. Very rocky underfoot which makes wading very difficult, but can be done with a wading stick. A very good Salmon holding pool. One of the best pools on the beat. OTTER POOL: The last pool on the beat. Ideal for spinning. A very good Salmon holding pool. Fishing from a high rock face. Wading is out on this one. Access is from the quarry on the A76. You can fish this pool at any height of water. 5 5. RIVER NITH BEATS 5.2 UPPER BEAT Fly fishing preferred. Spinning permitted at Ghillie’s discretion. BELL POOL: Not as deep as it appears, and hard to work the fly adequately. IVY LIE: Best over 2 ft when it is one of the best pools on the beat. MERMAID’S POOL: Deceptively shallow except immediately under and above the rock. Fish tend to congregate above the rock on south side, and as water falls move up to the Nith Linns. BRIDGE POOL: Fish tend to lie tight into far bank and below centre pier. Spins well. PRIEST’S POOL: Fish lie on the north side and in lower water. There are a number of intriguing lies. (5.2) UPPER BEAT BUGHT’S POOL: Fish lie in the north side in lower water. A gravel strand runs down the centre of the river from fallen beech stump to SEPA hut. In higher water beware as the weight of water will prevent you retracing your steps. A deep gully on the south side will ensure a damp exit. DOVECOTE KNOWE POOL: The best pool on the beat at any height and one of the few holding stretches.