Fishing River Tummel for trout and salmon

This is a large system of rivers and lochs much altered by the impact of hydro electric schemes but it continues to produce some excellent fishing opportunities. Its headwaters drain Loch Laidon on Rannoch Moor, and extend via Lochs Errochty and Garry to the River Tilt, a vast area of the highlands. The infant River Tummel leaves the Loch Rannoch and continues its journey through Dunalastair Reservoir a shallow loch with a huge variety of insect life and some very large brown trout. From there the river continues to Loch Tummel and onwards to Pitlochry. This water contains some very interesting trout fishing. Loch Faskally is fed by two rivers the Tummel and the Garry. The Garry and its tributaries the Bruar and Errochty are affected by hydro electric schemes but the the River Tilt offers some salmon fishing. Below Faskally, the river is a large freestone river and it contains large numbers of brown trout and grayling. The River Tummel is probably the best value spring salmon fishing available in Scotland.

West Haugh and Dunfallandy salmon fishing beat on the River Tummel.

The beat extends for about three quarters of a mile, mostly double bank and has reasonable access and car parking facilities. There are seven named pools that allow the beat to fish well at almost any sensible water height. Click here for a beat map with descriptions of the pools. All of the water is good for fly fishing but spinning is also allowed. Best period is February to June with end of April /beginning of May the peak time. From May to July there are usually grilse and a few sea trout running and these are often caught by the angler who is up early or out late. August can be a dour month, it just depends upon rainfall. Fishing perks up again in October when the autumn fish arrive. The season is from January 15 until October 15.

Recommended tackle for fly fishing is a fifteen foot rod during normal flows (a longer rod can be used with benefit in the springtime if the water is high) . In the summer a shorter double handed rod or a single handed rod is sufficient. Best flies are Willie Gunn and Black & Yellow tube flies in the spring and Ally's Shrimp, Tummel Shrimp and Executioner later on. Chest waders a life jacket and a wading staff are recommended. Contact Ally for further information.

Pitlochry Dam salmon fishing

Pitlochry Angling Club's Portnacraig and Pitlochry salmon fishing beats are immediately below Pitlochry Dam and fish ladder on the River Tummel. Spring salmon arrive here in numbers from February onwards with peak numbers present in April and May. Permits are available on a daily basis from dawn to 17:00pm eaxh day. Three rods fish each side of the river and change banks at 12:30pm. Permits are available online at www.pitlochryanglingclub.com.

Casting at Peg's Leg Pool, East Haugh

East Haugh salmon fishing

East Haugh beat starts 1.5 miles downstream of Pitlochry Dam and extends to Moulinearn, about 1.5 miles above the junction between the River Tay and the Tummel. It consists of 1.6 miles (both banks) of excellent salmon fly fishing water. Fishing is best between April and June, later in the year grilse and sea trout feature in catches. There are seven very nice pools on the beat.

For further details about this lovely beat see http://www.fishtummel.co.uk/ Day permits, season day permits and syndicate rods are available for purchase.

Brown trout and grayling fishing on Lower R Tummel

Pitlochry Angling Club fishing includes left bank of the river from the Recreation Park in Pitlochry to the Bridge at Ballinluig and right bank from below Milton of Fonab Caravan site to the Bridge at Ballinluig. This stretch of the river is offers very good trout fishing. It is used by SANA for international fly fishing qualifying competions and several angling clubs for competitions. There are some excellent brown trout to four or five pounds and grayling over two pounds. Fly fishing really starts about mid April with hatches of Dark Olives and March Browns, then smaller olives and the Yellow May Dun appears. Grannom and other caddis are abundant as are stioneflies. Dry fly, wet fly or deep nymphing are the usual tactics. Fly only fishing until July. Permits are available online at www.pitlochryanglingclub.com.

Brown trout and grayling fishing on Upper R Tummel

If you enjoy bushwhacking, rough terrain, difficult wading and real wild fishing this is the place for you. There are lots of small tout and quite a few big fish in this river that is controlled by Clunie Dam and extends down to Loch Faskally a few miles below. A small light rod is best for tight casting between the trees. Caddis and olives are plentiful. This is a beautiful piece of unspoilt river but its best for fit and active fly fishermen. Permits are available online at www.pitlochryanglingclub.com.

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.

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