Fishing – a quick guide to trout permits on some Lothians rivers

The trout fishing season started on Wednesday, March 15 and you may be interested in getting a permit for local waters.

Here, as a reminder, are a sample of waters who have submitted details to The Edinburgh Reporter.

And a reminder that the Water of Leith season does not start until April 1 and permits are free. The Water of Leith Visitor Centre say they should be available a week before the official opening and they are also available from Post Offices at Junpier Green, Currie, Balerno and Colinton plus fishing tackle shops across the city. The river is no longer stocked.

RIVER ALMOND: Fish with fly or spinner on approximately eight miles of the River Almond between Cramond and Kirkliston for salmon, sea trout and brown trout.

That’s the offer from Cramond Angling Association who issue permits on a catch and release basis in keeping with their ethos of conservation and sustainable fishing.

An adult season is £35 and it costs £25 for anglers over 60. A full-time student permit is £25 and it is £10 for a junior member (under 15). Apply to Treasurer@fishalmond.com

A day permit for an adult is £10, day tickets for those over 60 and full-time student £5 and a junior £2. Permits are non-transferable.

Day permit agencies are Barnton Post Office, 109 Whitehouse Road, Barnton, Edinburgh EH4 6BU t: 0131 339 1236; Cramond Falls Café, 10 School Brae, Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6JN t:0131 312 8408; Scotmid Kirkliston, 1-7 Station Road, Kirkliston, West Lothian EH29 9BE t: 0131 551 1224

For further information, including beat maps and club rules please visit www.fishalmond.com

RIVER ALMOND: West Lothian Angling Association (WLAA) have permits available for salmon and brown trout an eight-mile stretch of The Almond from Kirkton Weir in Livingston to Clifton Hall at the M8 Motorway near Newbridge. The cost is £15.

They are available on line at WLAA.org.uk and the seven-year-old organisation aims to provide, promote and protect angling opportunities within the West Lothian area.

Members are permitted to fish using fly, spin or bait techniques and membership is open to all members of the public..

To encourage youngsters, juniors between the age of 9 and 16 can join free as part of an senior membership. All young anglers will receive their own membership card.

RIVER TYNE: East Lothian Angling Association’s waters cover most of the River Tyne as it flows through East Lothian.

Permits allow anglers to fish for brown trout and, if they are lucky, for sea trout and salmon. Catch and release is encouraged but by law all salmon must be returned.

Details of permit prices and where to buy them can be found on www.elaa.co.uk along with other information regarding the Association and angling on the Tyne.
More information can also be found on Facebook.

RIVER ESK: Musselburgh and District Angling Association has a new committee. Chairman is Chris Halliday, Jamie McDonald is president, Grant Dickson is the treasurer and Stevie Devine is secretary.

If you are interested in fishing the River Esk then permits are £20 and they are available from Ace Bike Co at 101 North High Street, Musselburgh EH21 6JE (just behind The Brunton Hall, t: 0131 665 4468). The shop is open from 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday).

Permits are also available at the Edinburgh Angling Centre at Granton Retail Park, 65 West Harbour Road, Edinburgh EH5 1PW (t: 0131 202 6351)