River South Esk, Angus fishing for trout and salmon

Ally lands a sea trout on KAC beat

River South Esk

This river system rises high in the Grampian Mountains and drains some two hundred and forty five square miles of Angus, from the wilderness areas of Glen Doll to its final destination, the North Sea at Montrose via Montrose Basin. Salmon are present in the lowest reaches of the river when the season opens. The middle reaches usually enjoy their first sport around the middle of March and the second week of April will see the arrival of fresh springers in Glen Clova. May is the best month for spring salmon fishing. Given water, grilse can be expected on summer floods from June onwards and later in the season fresh fish continue to arrive in the lower beats until the close. South Esk is best known for its runs of sea trout. Some years fair numbers of sea trout lie into its pools and provide night fly fishing. Kirriemuir Angling Club offer fishing on several miles of the most beautiful parts of the upper river in Glen Clova.

Kirriemuir Angling Club (KAC) salmon and sea trout fishing in Glen Clova

An extensive beat that is virtually all double bank fishing about seven miles in length from Crossbog Farm at the bottom of Glen Clova to the Glen Clova Estate march. The portion of river through the top of Glen Clova is mainly slow and meandering, punctuated by just a few faster pools. In the slower stretches the salmon find sanctuary in deep corners where in low water a tiny plastic tube fly may just temp them to react. The lower part of the beat from Gella Bridge downstream is mainly fast broken water with a number of well defined holding pools that offer interesting fishing for salmon and sea trout. Fishing is by fly only except in spate conditions when spinning is allowed. Recommended flies, Ally's Shrimp, Cascade, Dunkeld, Stoats Tail, Silver Stoats Tail and a selection of small plastic tube flies. Visitors permits are available from Don Powell, Newsagent, Bank Street, Kirriemuir or from the secretary of Kirriemuir Angling Club, Bill Dick who can be contacted by phoning 01575 573277 or by sending an e-mail.

Fishing at Clova Hotel

Clova Hotel trout, salmon and sea trout fishing in Glen Clova

The Clova Estate beats of the River South Esk extend upstream from the Kirriemuir AC water for around nine miles. The river is small and easily fished with a single handed rod. It fishes best after rain when the level is dropping and fresh fish have arrived. This is a particularly beautiful part of Angus and if the salmon fishing is dour due to the lack of rain there is wild brown trout fishing in Loch Brandy and fishing for stocked rainbow trout in the hotel's new loch, Loch Heath. Clova Hotel website is www.clova.com and you can e-mail them for bookings and information.

Booking

Any private fishing described may be booked by e-mail giving me a note of the dates and number of rods required, subject to availability. A deposit will be requested to confirm the booking. Deposits will be forfeited in the event of cancellation, unless the fishing can be successfully re-let. Guides/ghillies may be provided. Fly casting and trout, sea trout and salmon fishing instruction of any type can be arranged.