Thankfully this situation has been changing (albeit very slowly) since around the 1970`s

This picture is not really surprising since the river trout of Scotland have long been overshadowed by their apparently more glamorous counterparts, the salmon. In the glory days when migratory fish were prolific, trout were regarded as low status fish, at best a lesser substitute for the table should no salmon be caught, and at worst an annoying vermin to be eliminated if at all possible. For hundreds of years few river management’s in Scotland, other than the Tweed, recognised trout as an important angling species. Thankfully this situation has been changing (albeit very slowly) since around the 1970`s. Complex factors including the spiralling decline in salmon catches, changes in laws governing catchment areas including the introduction of Protection Orders, and a steady demand for river trout have led some of the more enlightened streams to allow and encourage fishing for trout as well as salmon. And why not, for many Scottish rivers provide supreme trout habitats, excellent feeding and butter fat trout. The trout angling is excitingly diverse and challenging with plenty of scope for fly fishing methods including dry, wet, rolled nymph and all manner of variations in between. Here then are a selection of those rivers which provide top quality trout fishing at modest cost. First off has got to beTHE TWEEDThis enigmatic border river has a huge history of providing top quality, well managed trout angling. There is a Protection Order (PO) here which means you must obtain a day ticket prior to fishing, however costs are still minimal. Trout and grayling can be caught along most of the rivers 92 miles and are present in all its tributaries including the Teviot and the Whiteadder. The brownies vary in size from a few ounces to goodly specimens of 2lb or more. Generally speaking, the slower pools below Kelso produce most of the larger naturally wild trout while the busy stretches around Peebles and Galashiels provide angling for stocked browns. You will quickly notice the difference between stocked and wild for the Tweed Foundation who actively manage the river have adopted a policy of blue dotting the introduced stockies. Anglers are encouraged to put back any trout not marked thus and may take home a few stocked fish for the table if so inclined. The natural feeding on the Tweed is very rich and the water flows gin clear with fine beds of Ranaculus weed. To all intents it’s a chalkstream environment and your tactics must be to outwit the trout either by upstream dry or nymph or across and down wet. Wading is the norm and a 10ft rod, 5 -7 floating or intermediate line and 3/4lb nylon will do along with a good cross section of traditional river trout flies. The Greenwells Glory (dryor wet) is the most famous of Tweed flies but there is plenty of scope for anything from the Hares Ear nymph to Iron Blues, Sedges, various Spider patterns and Partridge and Orange (usually 12 to 18). Anglers will also fish bigger `night flies’ like a Cinnamon & Gold or the Invicta for sea trout as well as browns. Trout permits are easily obtained in the adjacent border towns and the booklet `Fishing in the Scottish Borders’ (Scottish Borders Tourist Board publication) is most helpful.- Highly recommended for excellent trout fishing in ahistoric and beautiful setting.THE CLYDELike the Tweed, the River Clyde is an exceptionally productive border river, with a long and illustrious history of trout fishing. There are differences between the two however, for while both rise in the Moffat hills, the Clyde flows north and west while the Tweed races south and east to the Berwick coast. By tradition the Clyde has been fished from the Glasgow side while the Tweed is more an Edinburgh river. Various fishing skills have grown up around this river not least the art of dressing delicate trout flies known as Clyde Style tyings. These flies were always sparsely dressed however they differed from other wets with a prominent upright wing tied in at right angles to the body. Some of these patterns probably came into being over 200 years ago but all have stood the test of time admirably. Today you can still approach the Clyde confidently with flies like the Sandfly and the Yellow May Dun. Tackle should be on the light side and most parts the river can be covered adequately with floating line and rod of 9/10ft. The water is fast flowing and clear with very good bottom feeding in the form of Gadgers ie large stonefly nymphs. Hatches are profuse from about mid April onward with excellent March Browns and Iron Blues. Olives, Yellow Sallies and Sedges all come on song during the year. Bank fishing and some wading is the norm and though the river relies heavily on restocking of trout, this is no pushover water. The fish quickly naturalise and can be difficult to tempt in the fast transparent glides. Permits (under the Clyde Protection Order) are available all along the river from local angling clubs, post offices, hotels, tackle shops etc.- Recommended particularly in May and June when a quiet escape from the city is called forTHE TAYGoing north the next major trout river is the Tay and its feeders including the Tummel and the Lyon (both equally as fine). Though the Tay rides on its reputation as a salmon haunt par excellence, you should regard its trout as being of similar quality. Some very large well fed specimens (2lb plus) lurk here in the deep clear pools and wading is normally obligatory. Note for safety use a wading stick and floatation vest, the Tay is a mighty river in every sense. Early and late season trouting is normally best and you will need a long rod (10ft or bigger) to throw a good length of line. Delicate presentation is still critical however and seasoned local anglers favour a diversity of techniques from Czech nymphs fished upstream, to wet fly across and down Spiders. Equally, dry fly is required when the trout are active on the surface and elk or deer hair sedges are popular as are dry March Browns or Greenwells. Exciting trout angling can be had along most of the Tay system according to access agreements but there are fine stretches near Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Birnam. A Protection Order is in force and day tickets are available through local shops, hotels, post offices and tackle shops. Trout anglers should give way to salmon anglers.- A must for those who want to fish for challenging big trout on a big water- THE DONThe Aberdeenshire Don is one of the great unsung trout rivers of Scotland, considered by many to be the best stream of all. It’s a sweetly clear fast flowing river with fine trout habitat in the form of gravel, boulders and weed beds including Ranaculus. The trout are a mix of wild and introduced but all are canny selective beasts best fished for during the first half of the season, April to June. The natural feeding is exceptionally rich making trout wary of all but the most naturally presented morsel. A 9 – 10ft rod is adequate and take chest waders, some of the best trout holding areas seem always to be under the far bank! Flies are much as for the Tweed with most success coming to patterns fished on the `dead drift’. Local exponents of this art recommend keeping in constant contact with flies and lifting off quickly as soon as the flies begin to drop below your feet. In other words fishing on the `dangle’ is not as successful as rapid upstream or across casting. This is a great river in the heart of fertile farming country. Visitor permits under the Don PO are available through local AC`s tackle shops and hotels. – Much advocated by those in need of inspiring, testing trout fishing———

Next month Lesley takes a seasoned look at some of Scotland’s top wild trout lochs.