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THE BEATS IN DETAIL Upperannan OTHER FISHING ACCOMMODATION ETC Accommodation OTHER STUFF
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KIRKWOOD FISHINGS Phone 01576 510200 for fishing availability Link to Kirkwood
Cottages page
Rules relating to all beats
Salmon The Annan may not be in the "Premier league" of salmon rivers, but it is not far off and offers great value for money. Why pay £2,000/week to fish on the Tweed? It is unlikely to be 10 times better than the Annan. The Annan's salmon season runs from 25th February to 15th November (inclusive), and currently around 90% of the salmon are caught in the last two months. In the 1950's the Annan was a Spring river, and a few still run in February to April, but we ask for these to be returned alive if they are caught. Official statistics show that the Annan’s salmon catch (in numbers) is usually in Scotlands Top 20, with an above average weight of 10+pounds. The Kirkwood beat, on the Annan, is known for big salmon. In most years we catch at least one salmon over 20 pounds, sometimes several. For salmon flies we find that shrimp, general practitioner, stoats tail, hairy mary, and monro killer are successful. Sea Trout For Sea Trout the Annan is one of the top rivers in Britain. Official figures back this claim up, and show our Sea Trout have an average weight of 2 pounds.
Kevin Messenger with sea trout of 8, 5 and 3 pounds caught at Kirkwood July, 1999 Scotland’s Sea Trout population was decimated during 1990-1993. Since then numbers have recovered on the Annan, to a very healthy level - 2,300 sea trout were caught by rod on the Annan in 1997; and 3,069 in 1998. In recent years the Annan has hosted the National Sea Trout Fishing Festival and the National Sea Trout Challenge. The fishing has been excellent. June & July are the best months.
Ian Melville with a sea trout of nine and a half pounds caught at Kirkwood in July, 1997 Sea Trout fishing is one of the most specialist types of angling. It is possible to catch them in daylight but most are caught at night. In a good night one will catch 4 or 5 and it is the most exhilarating of sports. The popular flies are teal blue and silver, invicta, black pennel, and butcher, although some lures are used and in low water, dry flies (pheasant tail) are successful, mainly in the evenings. Brown Trout For trout anglers, the River Milk is an interesting fishery. In some years it is stocked with a few indigenous trout, yet also has all the attributes of a Wild river. It runs through beautiful, unspoilt countryside, where this lovely little river invites you to cast a fly - wet or dry. Additionally there are trout lochs locally and a man-made Lochan, with stocked trout, at Kirkwood. Kirkwood Beat - for Salmon, Sea Trout & some Brown Trout
The Kirkwood Beat is around one and a third miles in length and is single bank only (the right hand bank). There are 12 named pools, although some are only good at certain heights of water. The river is quite wide here (say 30 yards) as Kirkwood is only 8 miles from the estuary. In places it is deep and chest waders are essential. For salmon a 14 ft rod is advised, and for sea trout an 11 foot rod.
Fishing at Kirkwood ranges from easy to ... not quite so easy It is beautiful fly water with some slow pools but also some rapid, streamy water. It is normally fly fishing only, but spinning or worming is allowed when the river is above a certain height. In exceptional circumstances the owners may give permission to spin at lower levels (e.g. if the river is dirty, or if someone finds our deep wading impossible). As spinning is not allowed at all on the far bank it is impolite to spin within sight of their fishermen even when permitted. The beat normally catches 25 to 60 salmon in a year and around 50 - 100 sea trout.
but '98 was a good year. A few brown trout are caught usually in April to June. Four rods are let on a weekly basis at Kirkwood but the owners keep 2 extra (occasional) rods. As parts of the opposite bank are unfishable due to a dense wood the beat is never too crowded. See map of fishing for the pools, parking, access and the Kirkwood cottages.
Jardine Hall Beat - for Sea Trout, Salmon & Brown Trout The Jardine Hall beat is around 8 miles upstream of Kirkwood. It consists of 1.5 miles of single bank (left hand) and half a mile of double bank fishing. It is narrower and more shallow than Kirkwood, so wading is easier but care should be taken on gravel. Likewise smaller rods can easily cover this beat. It is good fly water although spinning and worming are allowed at any height of water. At Jardine Hall there are half a dozen season ticket holders who only fish occasionally. We have two rods for the use of Kirkwood visitors. The annual catch is around 10 salmon, 40 sea trout & 20 browns. The River Milk - for BrownTrout, and a few Sea Trout and Salmon The Water of Milk is a tributary of the River Annan. There is around 11 miles of fishing in the most beautiful unspoilt surroundings, where you are unlikely to be disturbed by anyone except the sheep & cows, unless you want a guide or fishing companion, which can be arranged. The main attraction is trout to be caught in daylight during in the summer. There is a wild stock of small brownies, but we have restocked in some years with two year old indigenous brown trout. Salmon & sea trout also run the Milk and can be caught during and after a spate especially later in the year. This is "real" fishing... flicking a fly into a small river among lovely rolling countryside in search of a brown trout. It also complements the summer sea trout fishing on the main river which is mainly at night. Keen anglers can go for both.... trout by day, sea trout by night! Trout Lochs LOCH SKENE is a true hill loch with plenty of small wild trout. It has never been stocked. It is above the famous, magnificent waterfall the Grey Mares Tail, where from the Spring of 2000 you will be able to watch Peregrine Falcons at the nest. PURDOMSTONE is a natural reservoir, set in the hills above Ecclefechan. For £8 per day fishermen have use of the loch and boat. BROOM FARM FISHERY. Near Annan this rainbow trout fishery has something for everyone.... from a children's pond where catching a fish is nearly a certainty up to some more challenging ponds. There is also a coarse fishery Costs are very reasonable Lady's Lochan - for trout Fishing elsewhere There is a small heavily stocked pond ideal for kids as well as a coarse fish pond Fishing tackle for hire COARSE FISHING Chub & Grayling at Kirkwood We allow a limited number of anglers to go specially for the chub and grayling on the Annan at Kirkwood at certain times of the year. The best time is the winter - mid November to late February - while the Spring time - April and May - is sometimes good, but can only be booked at the last minute. Live bait is not allowed and all fish must be returned. This is not easy angling but the rewards are big fish - chub are often over 5 lb and grayling over 2 1b. It was here, in 1955, that Dr Cameron caught the famous "UK record" 10 1b 8oz chub. Cost £10/day or £35/week if staying in our cottages.
Kelhead Quarry - Nr Annan Castle Loch - Lochmaben
KIRKWOOD COTTAGES & FISHINGS For more details... ANTHONY & KIRSTEEN
STEEL Telephone 01576 510200 E- mail Cottages@Kirkwood-Lockerbie.co.uk Fax 01576 510363 Link to Kirkwood Cottages page HOME to Riverannan |
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