The Complete Fisher Forum

[whynot]

Burns near Moffat? Almost paradise. I'll do a more detailed post sometime but have a look at these.

The Moffat Water - flows through the town but is more interesting further upstream but watch your footing - free as far as I know. Starts from the Grey Mare's Tail.

The Annan - As you drive up the Main street fork to the right and head up the glen. The Annan is like a highland burn up here. Any time I fished it no one bothered me except for a couple of nosey farmers who came down to watch me and remark that they'd never seen anyone fishing there. I actually had a couple of 15 inchers that amazed one of them.

The Kinnel. Nearer Lochmaben but only twenty minutes away. Lots of game wee trout - free.

The Ae. Also near Lochmaben and the Kinnel. Very good trout and some grayling although I've never had one.

The Water of Milk. Near Lockerbie. Hard to find a place to park so just squeeze in where you can. Some very good pools with a better class of trout. Watch out for nosey farmers again.

That should keep you going for a while. Note that the Annan and its tributaries are not covered by the Solway Act so even if someone does approach you asking to see a permit (very, very unlikely) no problems should arise. Don't ask at any of the tackle shops in Dumfries. They know nothing about wild trout fishing in the area.

There are another two or three smaller burns that I've never really spent any time on. I'll try to find some old pictures but most of these small rivers look the same.

[Bovver]

Thank you for that info... I have of course seen some of waters mentioned before but have never fished them yet. I think it is because of the not needing any permission that makes me wary and nervous about just stopping the car and finding a spot to fish. Expecting angry land owners to get the 12 bores out!!!! I will definitely check some out next time I am there.
Thanks again and look forward to some pics and tips
Ian

[whynot]

I understand why you might be worried but generally if I say I think the fishing is free you are unlikely to get into trouble. However, since I am a native and have fished around for more years than I care to remember I probably know enough not to get into trouble and when to buy a permit. Scots law has some interesting differences and an offence is only committed if you "take" a trout. Other species do not count. Note that this does not apply to "protected" waters and fishing for migratories. Only the police or bailiffs appointed by a local salmon fisheries board have powers of arrest. Normal bailiffs are powerless, even on protected waters. Also note that there must be "corroboration", i.e. two police officers or bailiffs.

All of this being said I have only once been asked to show a permit in the past twenty years and that was on the Tummell and I did have one. Do you seriously believe that bailiffs patrol these small rivers or that the police are likely to turn up quickly to catch a suspected poacher? If you are obviously fishing for trout using a small rod and light line no one really bothers.

Don't worry, be happy and keep fishing.

[Bovver]

Cheers Whynot.. When are the best times of the year to fish these waters?

[whynot]

Any day with a "y" in it during the trout season. Like all of these streams they fish best if there is some extra water. Start and finish of the season when the trout are leaving after spawning or running up to spawn are probably best.

Try a wire bodied black spider with a twist of peacock herl behind the hackle. Another is a nymph with copper bead head and copper wire body (from old electric cables) with a sensation of harelug behind the bead. Both size 14. I do not think there is a river anywhere where trout will refuse these.

[TyraNoah]

This is where I'd really enjoy to the brim! Is it all seasonal?
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