RIVER TUMMEL - EAST HAUGH BEAT
Location
The beat is situated two miles downstream from Pitlochry Dam, close to the A9 trunk road which provides a fast link to Perth, 24 miles to the south. Pitlochry is a small town set amidst spectacular scenery, offering a wide range of recreational facilities including the famous Festival Theatre situated on the right bank of the Tummel and adjacent to the fish ladder.
The Fishings and Fishing Policy
The beat comprises of 1.5 miles, both banks, of the River Tummel which is a major tributary of the River Tay. Salmon fishing commences on 15Th January and closes on 15Th October. Fresh fish enter the beat from early January, but as salmon will not ascend the fish ladder at Pitlochry until late April there is a build up of fish in the beat in the early part of the season.
The number of let rods is limited to 6 and any legal method of fishing is permitted. Because of the size of the river in the springtime many anglers are deterred from fly fishing. However, more fish per hour of fishing time are still caught on the fly at this time of year.
In the summer months late evening and early morning fishing is most productive for grilse and sea trout.
The owners retain 1 rod throughout the season.
It is the policy of the owners to give booking priority to the previous year’s tenants.
The Beat
The beat consists of seven named pools in which wading is generally good. The banks are largely open and unobstructed but anglers will require chest waders to cover the water effectively at normal water heights Both fishing huts may be used by regular tenants by prior arrangement. If you use these facilities please leave the huts clean and tidy as you found them and make sure that they are locked.
Safety
Anglers are advised to provide their own buoyancy aid (or life jacket), eye protection, a hat and a wading staff when fishing.
Returns
For the 2005 season the beat fished exceptional well with 105 salmon and grilse being caught for the season the bulk of these fish being caught before the end of July. It was particularly pleasing to have really good sport with grilse in the early summer. As usual August was a quiet month but the final weeks of the season were reasonably good, however, the quality of these fish meant that most were returned The number of fish ascending the ladder at Pitlochry above average this year and hopefully this is an improving trend.
Access
Left bank - Approximately 1.5 miles north of Ballinluig, a track is located in a cutting to the left of the dual carriageway directly opposite the sign posted road junction to East Haugh. (A metal gate is positioned at the entrance). 200 yards along this track there is a turning area and a parking area. Access to the river is via a pedestrian level crossing over the railway. This is about the middle of the beat and the pool adjacent to the hut is Peg Legs Corner. Please do not park at the turning circle adjacent to the crossing.
Right bank - The river is accessible using the track that passes through Tomdachoille Farm. Access to this track is from the Pitlochry to Ballinluig road on the south side of the river. Take the track to Tomdachoille Farm and the right fork avoiding access through the farm house grounds. Please leave all farm gates in the position you find them. The gate to the access track may have a combination lock in place and details of the access code will be issued with the permit to fish. Please park adjacent to the fishing hut and do not obstruct any access or park on agricultural ground. The bottom of the beat may be accessed by the track alongside the field. A parking area is set aside at Moulinearn Pool adjacent to the track. Please do not veer from the existing tracks onto farm land.
Voluntary Catch and Release
The Tay district Salmon Fisheries Board is promoting a voluntary catch and release programme for multi- sea winter fish. The main proposals and recommendations are that from the start of the season to 30th April a maximum of one fish per angler a day should be taken home. From 1st May until 31st August- all grilse under 56 cm. in length can be taken. All other fish should be treated as above. From 1st September to end of season two fish per angler per day can be retained. All red fish and gravid fish should be returned to the river. Full particulars will be available at the fishing huts or from Mr D Reid on how fish should be treated etc.
General Conditions
Tenants are expected to observe the country code and to fish in a sportsmanlike manner. All kelts and gravid fish must carefully be returned to the river. Please NOTE holding a fish up by the tail to admire/photograph it will seriously injure the fish. We would encourage tenants to return all coloured fish to the river particularly during the autumn.
EACH TENANT IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR RETURN (INCLUDING NIL RETURNS) TO D Reid. WITHIN 7 DAYS.
Letting :- D Reid, Rivaldsgreen Cottage, Barkhill Road, Linlithgow, West Lothian, SCOTLAND EH49 6HL
E mail - donreid@btopenworld.com Web Site http://www.fishtummel.co.uk/
NOTE: From Feb. 5th until March 18th bookings will be handled by David Crabb Mobile number 07801351584 or 01382 532096
Bookings
Bookings may be made through D Reid at the above address and will be reserved for a period of 7 days. Should payment in full not be received in this period, the booking will lapse. Refunds due to cancellation will only be made if the fishing can be re-let. A charge of 10% will be deducted from the refund to cover administration. Cheques should be made payable to D.C. REID
