River, Loch and Pond FishingQueensberry Estate | Drumlanrig Mains, Thornhill, Dumfries - PDF document

River, Loch and Pond FishingQueensberry Estate | Drumlanrig Mains, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway, DG3 4AGTel: 01848 600415 | Email: sporting@buccleuch.com | www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk Drumlanrig Fishings have increased from previous years and now cover a 10.5 mile stretch of the River Nith on the Duke of Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate. This includes a 7 mile stretch that has been carefully managed for generations as the magni�cent home of Their Graces, Queensberry. The 17th Century pink sandstone castle provides a spendid backdrop to the river, which is at its most attractive where it runs through the grounds of the Estate. In addition, we now offer �shing on part of the River Scaur, The lochs and ponds are all located near town which serves a large rural district and is situated 15 miles north west of Dumfries. The Estate is located just off the A76 and is signposted from the M74 (J14 The River Nith is the largest river in Dumfries and Galloway, and has an established reputation for the quality of its salmon and sea trout. On its long and winding journey, the river travels from its source at New Cumnock in Ayrshire, to its mouth at the Solway. salmon caught has been around 8lb although �sh over 20lb are not unusual. Grilse can average 4-5lb, Sea Trout 2lb and Grayling 2lb. The Sea Trout �shing is best in the summer months while the height of the Salmon season spans September through to the end of November. Unlike many other rivers, the Salmon season runs from 25th February until 30th November. Grayling �shing runs from 1st December to 31st March. The �shing on the River Nith comprises mainly double bank �shing. The river broadens from a rocky gorge into a mainly gravelled riverbed with suitable pools and reaches which provide good accessible �shing 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, with greater runs throughout the season up to and including November. 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 �shable water at all times except perhaps during periods of extreme drought or high �ood. Nith Linns runs for 2 miles immediately above the Upper Beat and is mainly �shed 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 has been added this year and runs for 3.5 miles below the Lower Beat with a number of streams and pools. 3 miles of this beat provide double bank �shing. The River Scaur �shing comprises 8 miles of double bank �shing plus 1/2 mile of single bank �shing. 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 speci�c information on �shing please contact Rab Kerr, River Manager (Tel 07765 002142). For the latest catch returns and river conditions, please visit www.�shnith.co.uk or www.rivernith�shings.co.uk. We offer availability online via the FishNith website )www/�shnith/co/uk) or by contacting the FishPal call centre on 12684 581723/From 3126- bookings can also be made directly with the Estate Of�ce or- outwith normal of�ce hours- either at the Buccleuch ’ Queensberry Arms Hotel- Thornhill or with the River Manager/ 3. ACCOMODATIONOur preferred partner, the Buccleuch &offer breaks including �shing and other ruralwww.bqahotel.com | 01848 323101 4. RIVER NITH BEATSFly �shing preferred, spinning and worming 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 dif�cult MALCOLMFLAT POOL: Steps from the A76 take you down to the pool. Best for the �y �sher, and for spinning if the river is running at about 2½ ft. Fish from the rocks as wading is very dif�cult.LONG STRAIGHT POOL: Another good pool on river. Steps lead down from the A76. Ideal for both �y and spinning. Runs for about 250 metres. Fish from side as wading is very dif�cult.MILESTONE POOL: beat. One for the �y �sher. Access from the A76; steps take you down to the river. Runs for about 200 metres. Fish tend to lie behind rocks in the 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 �sher and also ideal for coming down to the river’s edge.PALM TREE POOL: Steps lead down from the A76. Ideal for �y �shing or spinning when the water is at A wonderful spot to spend a day’s �shing, 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 dif�cult, but can be done with Fishing from a high rock face. Wading is out on this one. Access is from the quarry on the A76. You can �sh this pool at any height of water. (4.1) NITH LINNS 4. RIVER NITH BEATS4.2 UPPER BEATFly �shing preferred. Spinning permitted at Ghillie’s discretion. Not as deep as it appears, and hard to work the �y adequately.MERMAID’S POOL: Deceptively shallow except immediately under and above the rock. Fish tend to congregate above the rock on south side, and 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.BUGHT’S POOL: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.holdingstretches. Only �shable from the north (4.2) UPPER BEAT 6 4.3 MIDDLE BEATFly �shing preferred. Spinning permitted at Ghillie’s discretion.ISLA HOLM STREAM: Not much use for holding salmon but a good stream for trout / sea trout. Fish this from either side.Good salmon holding pool. Gravel bed on west side of the river. Best �shed from west side. Good fast stream between Crowbank Pool and Lower Crowbank Pool. Good for sea trout. Fish with �y from west side.LOWER CROWBANK POOL: Good salmon holding pool. Not much good for the �y �sher, but very good for spinning.STEPPING STONES POOL: Good for salmon / sea trout. Best �shed from west side of river.TIBBERS CASTLE POOL: Fly could be best bet. Best �shed from west side of river.MORTON POOL: Yet another pool made in 1996. Again, could be good for holding salmon / sea trout. Fish either �y or spinner. Fish this spot from the west side.This is a really good salmon pool. A good strong stream running into a large holding pool which is good for both �y �shing or for spinning. Half way down there is a ledge of rock on the west side of the river. Gravel bed on the east side. Best �shed from the west.SANDY FLATS POOL: Very good for trout / sea trout. Deep pool between the two groins which is good for holding salmon. Spin this area. The rest of the pool is best for the �y �sher. Always best �shed from the Morton Mill side. 4. RIVER NITH BEATS4.4 LOWER BEATMaximum of �ve rods. Fly �shing preferred. Spinning permitted at Ghillie’s discretion. One of the best pools on the river. Fish seem to lie on the far bank of the river. Good for either �y or spinning. Always �sh from Tibbers side.QUARRY POOL: Good fast stream that runs from the corner for about 100 metres. Excellent for �y �shing, the next 100 metres is more of a spinning pool. Ledge of rock runs up through middle of this part. Fish tend to lie along the side of this. Good gravel bed on the Tibbers side of the river. Fish from here.This is probably the best pool on the river at the present time. Fish from the rocks at the top end right through. Either �y or spin. You can �sh this pool from either side but best with the �y from the east side of the river from Waterside Farm.DOCTOR’S POOL: Fish tend to lie on the far bank of the river. Fish right through to the last groin where �sh tend to lie on lower side. Gravel bed on the Tibbers side so �sh from The last pool on the beat. Best with the �y for the �rst 100 metres. Row of Alders on the Tibbers side makes �shing quite dif�cult but the last 100 metres is ideal for spinning. Good salmon/sea trout stream.WHITEHILL POOL: This pool is best �shed from the east side of the river. Good for either �y or spinning. Large rocks on the Tibbers side of the river where the �sh tend to lie. The entire Lower Beat can be booked for exclusive use (for up to 5 rods). Contact the Estate OATFORDEATFly �shing, spinning and worming as appropriate according to water conditions.and ELLARS: Access from the A702 on the Penpont side of Boatford MATHERS: Also accessed from the Penpont side of Boatford Bridge. Mathers is best �shed from the left bank as the river banking on the right bank is very steep.SEWAGE POOL and KELLOCKS: Accessed from Banking Gate. This is good easy water.CAMPLE FOOT: Accessed from the track at Blawplain or from Kirkbog. Best �shed from the left bank but can also be �shed from the right bank.MATHIES: Also accessed from the track at Blawplain or from Kirkbog. Best �shed from NEW HOLE, CRAN POOL, LAKE FOOT and SCAUR FOOT: Accessed from Blawplain or from KirkbogROCK POOL and RED BROOS, From the car parking area at Scaurfoot, �shers have to cross the Scaur Water to �sh the lower water.. THIS MUST NOT BE ATTEMPTED IN HIGH WATER. Alternative access available from Porterstown Farm by crossing 2 �elds. Double (4.3) MIDDLE BEAT | (4.4) LOWER BEAT 8 as appropriate according to water 1. From Glenmanna Bridge, downstream to just north of Camling, 2. A second stretch from just below Penpont, downstream to where the river joins the Nith near Keir.Salmon and Sea Trout from early June to the end of July. The River Manager will be happy to provide guidance and further information on request.5. RIVER SCAUR BEAT (4.5) BOATFORD BEAT | (5) SCAUR BEAT BOATFORD BEAT PENPONT THORNHILL Banking Gate Burnhead KEIR MILL Start of Beat End of Beat PENPONT AULDGIRTH SCAUR WATER DUMFRIES CARRONBRIDGE Kirkbog Fishing Hut  w    2 2 F d e L 2 w z w z 1  w  d Porterstown Farm Private Fishing Track CAMPLEWATER Parking Blawplain Glenmanna Chanlockfoot Druidhall Arkland Laight Auchenhessane Start of Beat End of Beat Private Fishing Camling Camling PENPONT NITH PENPONT THORNHILL Blawplain Burnhead KEIR MILL Start of Beat End of Beat PrivateFishing AULDGIRTH SCAUR BEAT Morton Holm Parking 10 All lochs (5) are stocked with quality Rainbow Trout and are located near ThornhillQueensberry, KBEORTONEight acre loch stocked with Rainbow Trout. The loch lies a few miles to the east of TARBURNThree acre loch stocked with Rainbow Trout. The loch lies within the surrounding LATEHOUSETwo acre loch stocked with Rainbow Trout in the parkland of Drumlanrig Castle with piers to provide good bank �shing.ARTHINGBANKTwo acre loch stocked with Rainbow and Brown Trout within the woodlands behind Drumlanrig Mains providing good bank �shing.2.5 acre loch stocked with Rainbow and Brown Trout within the woodlands behind Drumlanrig Mains providing good bank �shing.ORTONOne acre pond stocked with tench One acre pond stocked with tench the Dabton Woodland. River Nith Salmon / Trout season 25th February to 30th November (excluding Sundays). Grayling season 1st December to 31st March. Fishing on the River Scaur opens on 1st April and closes on 30th September. No �shing is permitted at any time beyond Glenmanna Bridge or within 100 metres of Glenmarlin Falls. The waters above Arkland Bridge close on 16th August. Employees of the Queensberry Estate are permitted to �sh on all beats. Fishing customers have priority on the pools within the Castle Beats and employees are requested to move if a customer arrives to �sh a particular pool on these stretches. In an effort to prevent introduction of the Gyrodactylus Salaris parasite to the river system, �shers are required to thoroughly clean and treat tackle, waders and �shing equipment, in accordance with the Scottish Executive Guidelines before taking access to the river. An information lea�et can be obtained from:SEERAD: 0131 244 6225 | www.scotland.gov.ukDEFRA: 08459 335577 | www.defra.gov.ukWelsh Assembly Government Agriculture and Fisheries: 02920 823567 www.wales.gov.ukLoch Fishing season (including Coarse Fishing on Ponds) 1st March to 30th NovemberSee attached price list. All prices are inclusive of VAT. TYou can book �shing on line at www.�shnith.co.uk or by phoning the Estate Of�ce, Fishing Desk (01848 600415). Alternatively you can contact the River Manager (07765 002142) or the FishPal call centre pleased to take bookings for day tickets in person or arrange accommodation and �shing packages (01848 332101; www.bqahotel.com). No River Board Licences or other charges are required in Scotland. The Estate cannot accept any responsibility for cancellation of bookings due to bad weather. It is therefore recommended that appropriate cancellation insurance is taken Booking con�rmation / permits should be carried while �shing and must be shown on request. If the maximum number of Rods on the water is not allocated, Buccleuch Estates reserve the right to assign these Rods. Drumlanrig Castle reserves the right for two Rods to �sh at any time. This is exercised only occasionally, and every effort will be made to contact the customer should this intention be known beforehand. It is a statutory requirement to record accurate returns of �sh caught and so customers are particularly requested to be punctilious in making these returns (including Nil Returns), which should be submitted to the Estate Of�ce. Out of hours returns should be deposited in the red mail box attached to the front wall of the building.ATCHRiver: Rods are not permitted to kill more than 2 Salmon (including Grilse). Thereafter all �sh should be returned as quickly as possible with the minimum of handling. It is strictly prohibited to take, destroy or injure smolt and fry of Salmon. Grayling are strictly catch and release. We operate a catch & release policy for Sea Trout therefore all Sea Trout (including Herling) must be returned. Rods are permitted to kill the �rst 2 �sh caught with a day �shing permit. Thereafter �shing is on a catch and release basis only.Catch and release only.In all instances, for a childs �shing, the maximum number of �sh to be kept is one per : Fly �shing is preferred. Bait can be used for Grayling �shing. Spinning is not permitted when the gauge at the Drumlanrig Bridge registers below 1ft (except in the deeper, slower moving pools). Otherwise, it is at the discretion of the Ghillie, depending on water conditions. Worm �shing is only permitted on the Castle Beats in the Linns, the Boatford Beat and on the Scaur Beat at all heights throughout the season. The weights used by �shermen shall not exceed two pieces of No.1 shot. Fishermen may not use more than 2 hooks when worm �shing and only then if the hooks are tied in close proximity on a single strand of line. Hooks shall not exceed 13mm in length and 7mm gape. Natural minnow, arti�cial or natural prawns or shrimps During the whole season all gravid or stale �sh must be returned to the river immediately Flies, lures, etc: The use of a gaff is prohibited Red or Orange Ally’s Shrimp tied on a double hook in sizes 8, 6 or 4. Other suitable �ies are Stoat’s Tail, Hairy Mary, Yellow Dog, Blue Charm and Brown Turkey. These should be mostly around size No 6. In high water a 2” Yellow Dog is suggested. Sea Trout: Peter Ross, Greenwell’s Glory, Medium Olive and Black Spider. The usual size being No. 12 and 14 but, at night up to size 10 may be required. For spinning, a Devon or Blue Silver Minnow is recommended. Fly �shing only is permitted with barbless hooks. Please do not leave any litter anywhere. 14 Access and parking facilities are shown on theplans. All gates are to be closed and roads mustbe unobstructed. Vehicles may not be drivenacross agricultural land. Dogs will not beManager, and only then if they are kept underclose control at all times. This is necessarybecause of the presence of stock in the majority of �elds adjoining the river. No �resanywhere.OATSday are left at the owner’s risk. Please ensure huts are left ina good condition. Any damage to the huts should be reported to the River Manager or Estate Of�ce. Boats are available on some lochs at an additional cost (see pricelist for details). At the end of the day, the boat must be returned to the boat house which must be securely locked and barred before the Rods leave. Life jackets are provided and must be worn. Any defect or damage to the boat or boathouse should be reported immediately so that repairs can be effected.Fishing customers will use the boats, boathouses, stiles, crossing places, access routes,parking spaces, �shing huts and paths at their own risk and no responsibility will be occurs, customers are required to inform the Estate Of�ce and an incident form must If a �shing customer wishes the services of a Ghillie or Tutor (at an extra cost), then this should be organised with the River Manager, who can answer any queries or offer advice on the beats. He can be contacted on Mobile 07765 002142. If a �shing at the beginning of his �shing let, he should ask for this facility at least three weeks beforehand when the necessary arrangements can be made. If a Ghillie is retained, then there is no such necessity as he will be fully familiar with the water. 15 FISHING AT OUR OTHER ESTATESDrumlanrig Castle | Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, DG3 4AQ01848 331 555 | info@drumlanrigcastle.co.uk | www.drumlanrigcastle.co.ukWhatever your idea of fun, from racing down mountain bike trails to watching your kids monkeying about in the adventure playground, the Castle has more activities than you can shake a stick at. If you love nature, there’s plenty to keep you enthralled as you walk along the way-marked paths or pedal the off-road cycle trails. You can enjoy off-road adventure of a different kind with Landrover tours of the estate. �shborderesk.co.uk 15 ADDITIONAL SPORTDrumlanrig provides a wide variety of other sporting and outdoor activities chapelfarmdogfood.co.uk01848 600 402 roxtons.com