Kailzie Fishery near Peebles has become popular since it re-opened nearly a year ago under the ownership of Connor Newcombe, but it also boasts a 1.75 mile stretch of the nearby River Tweed where anglers can fish for salmon and sea trout.
The beat is around 400 yards, just across a field, in fact, from the Kailzie Fishery headquarters, and there are, said Newcombe, some big fish in the river which is now open for fishing. He knows as he fishes the water.
Newcombe currently offers a day ticket on his bear for £25 and that rises to over £70 in the high season. Generally, wading is easy as the bottom is gravel and a two-handed rod is not necessary.
A 10ft, 7wt rod with standard stillwater set-up will suffice along with well-known wet flies.
Newcombe admitted that the chances of hooking into a salmon right now are slim and added: “We have had pretty high water for the past three or four weeks but, unless, you are out trying you do not know what will happen.
“In June or July onwards and you have a really good chance of a salmon, but the sea trout fishing is pretty phenomenal here.”
He added: “The wading in this beat is good as it is pretty much all gravel however usually warn people about one pool if they are not that confident. Casting is not difficult as we keep the banks trimmed, but you never know what size of fish you are going to hook into.”
Newcombe said that sea trout is a wonderful sport to get into and a floating line will suffice and he recommends fishing first hour of darkness and an hour before sunrise.
“Early morning and late afternoon and the sport is fantastic.”
Goats toe, a classic wet fly, are his go-to pattern for the river along with teal blue and silver and bloody butcher, and he recommends reading the water as regards the size of the hook used.
He added: “Salmon and sea trout fishing is exciting and when they take in the dark it is an adrenaline sport.”
PICTURE: Connor Newcombe with the Kailzie Fishery fly pond behind him. The River Tweed is only yards away. Picture Nigel Duncan
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