Cross encouraged as new season opens on The Almond

Adam Cross, chairman of Cramond Angling Association, welcomed the new season on The Almond with the first cast and said: “It is a good river and we hope we have another good season.”

The club had over 100 members last season and also sold a number of day tickets. Cross is encouraged and he was delighted to welcome old and potential members to the opening BBQ at Cramond.

Permits for this season are only available via the Fishing Around the Forth website with an adult ticket costing £40, senior citizens (65 and above) £30, full-time student £15 and child (under-16) £5.

Day tickets are on sale at Barnton Post Office and The Edinburgh Angling Centre for £10 (adult), £5 (senior citizen and full-time student) and £2 for a child under 16.

The club have around eight miles of water from the foreshore at Cramond to near Kirkliston and Cross said that buying a ticket means you can fish for salmon, sea trout and brown trout.

He added: “There is plenty of wildlife in the water and further upstream brown trout were caught last year. I love it and most of the river is accessible by bus from anywhere, two buses if you are out Dalkeith or Gorebridge area.

“Parking areas are in a number of locations and you can walk the whole stretch of the river to the back of the airport. You can park at Kirkliston and walk upstream from there.

“There are a lot of good beats. A lot of good beats are in areas where it is difficult to get into, you can wade, and some of the best beats are where some of the big fish hide.”

Cross urged anglers to have the correct safety equipment like a life jacket and wading stick. He said: “The river bed can be quite rocky and you have to watch where you are stepping.”

He was asked for the best patterns to use and said: “To be fair I come down with a box and you can try a fly which everybody has been using and it does not work so get used to tying knots as you will be changing flies regularly.

“Fishing here is well worth the money. If you were going to a stillwater it could cost you over £30 for a day and you come here and you get a season ticket for just a little bit less. To me, it is a no-brainer.

“People in the river are all good guys, you can get a good conversation, people will help you out and, if you are a new member, a member of the committee will come with you for a walk and explain things, particularly areas which are unsafe to fish.” 

PICTURE: Adam Cross making the first cast of the season at Cramond. Picture by Nigel Duncan

PICTURE: Adam Cross making the first cast on The Almond to open the season. Picture Nigel Duncan

PICTURE: Members and potential members chat at the opening BBQ. Picture by Nigel Duncan