Hirsel Fishing
To Fishermen, mention of the River Tweed has a mystique that is well deserved – it is one of the world’s great Salmon Rivers.
The Tweed is the second largest river in Scotland and catches more Salmon to the fly than any other river in the United Kingdom.
The river is governed by the River Tweed Commissioners (RTC) set up in 1857 and the river’s success, as a salmon river, is largely testament to the efforts of the RTC over their 150 year history.
The Hirsel Estate is bounded along its southern boundary by the River Tweed, which also provides a source of water for irrigation, and whilst historically the family owned the Salmon fishing rights over half of the river (Scottish bank), these were exchanged, in part, for the Salmon fishing rights on the English bank at Birgham Dub – where the Estate now own the fishing over the full width and both banks of the river.
Birgham Dub is one of the better beats on the “Lower Tweed”, situated between Kelso and Coldstream, fishing is for 2 / 3 rods, with two boats and two full time Boatmen during the Season – 1st February to 30th November each year.
The five year average number of Salmon caught is just under the 350 fish – the majority of which are caught during the autumn months (September to November). Whilst numbers caught will largely depend upon the state (height) of the river, throughout the autumn, the average number of fish caught is in the region of 15 - 20 Salmon a week.
Fishing is let in blocks of 3 or 6 days throughout the year and “first refusal” is usually given to those people who have taken fishing the previous year; however, during the last week of August, the Estate donates a number of days to various associated charities (Tweed Foundation, Atlantic Salmon Trust, Heather Trust and other similar organisations) providing others with an opportunity to fish on “the Dub”.
For those coming from further afield, accommodation can be provided in one of the two (serviced) holiday cottages on the Estate.
The Estate also owns Salmon fishings on the Whiteadder in the Lammermuirs 20 miles away.
Enquiries about fishing at the Hirsel should be made to Cass Delaney at the Douglas Estate Office (01555 851536) or by email to office@daestates.co.uk