The Upper Tweed is well known for the quality of its grayling fishing and the private Dawyck Estate stretch is second to none. Having been lightly fished and carefully managed over the last decade there are some serious specimens to be found here. The average size and general condition of the grayling is quite simply world class with fish up to and over the hallowed 50cm mark. They’re often not easy but are present in healthy numbers and there are few more picturesque parts of the river to target them.
Two rods available per day with over two miles of double bank fishing to explore, all of it excellent fly water. Strictly catch and release and fly only.
Dawyck Estate is situated in the spectacular Stobo Valley, regarded as one of the most picturesque in Scotland. The river here is secluded from the road with more than 3 miles of streamy runs, glides and deeper pools split over 3 beats, all with easy access. Rods are given beat instructions, advice and a detailed pool map from the fishery managers, either Finlay Wilson or Gwyd Williams, at the start of their fishing. The surrounding estate lands, natural woodland and Upper Tweeddale hills provide a magnificent backdrop to the fishing while otters, kingfishers and Osprey can often be seen.
Rods will be met at Stobo Village Hall, 8.45-9am.There is no ghillie but guiding/casting instruction including any equipment required is offered by prior arrangement. Finlay is a professional fly-fishing instructor and guide and a member of the Hardy & Greys Academy.
Smaller double handed (12-14ft rods in decent water) or single handed rods are quite adequate to cover the water and most fishing is with floating or sink tip lines. A faster sink tip and/or heavier tube fly is generally more than sufficient to get deep enough. All the usual Tweed suspects will produce fish while coneheads, small loop tubes, temple dogs, francis' and pot bellied pigs are all worth having in the locker.
PLEASE NOTE - Rule 19 booking conditions as follows:
19. Catch and release, particularly of hens, is encouraged in all circumstances. All stale/spent fish shall be returned unharmed. Ticket holders are restricted to a daily limit of 2 sea trout and one salmon per day.
Given good water levels Dawyck will fish well from September onwards for salmon, though it is generally fished very lightly until later on. As with many Upper Tweed beats, the biggest concentration of fishing effort takes place in November when really October can be prime time.
Dawyck has the advantage of dropping and clearing remarkably quickly. With no tributaries of any size upstream, the river here can be perfectly fishable soon after significant rainfall.
Wild brown trout, grayling and sea trout fishing is available from April to September. The Tweed's stunning wild trout offer tremendous sport, especially early season on the dry fly, with fish up to 4lb and occasionally even bigger to be had, while the quality of grayling and sea trout fishing on the Tweed is also first class. For further details, contact Finlay at FishWild on the Instruction & Guiding page on FishTweed.
For a comprehensive list of places to stay whilst in the Borders visit the Where To Stay section on FishTweed
Why you need to fish here
Dawyck Estate is situated in the spectacular Stobo Valley, regarded as one of the most picturesque in Scotland. The surrounding Estate lands, natural woodland and Upper Tweeddale hills provide a magnificent backdrop to the first-class fly water, fishing while otters, kingfishers and Osprey can often be seen.
