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River and Loch Fishing - Trout (and Salmon)

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General

Over 110,000 visitors fish in Scotland every year, generating just under £30m worth of tourism spending. The vast majority of them are UK fishers. It is common to restrict anglers to fly fishing only.

This is traditionally the more select end of the market and they are less likely to take large numbers of fish with them. (A popular alternative in southern England is to offer fishing with bait or spinners.

All equipment is provided and a flat, hourly charge is made, with an additional charge per pound of fish caught.) Both trout and salmon are popular sports, but given the margins obtainable from salmon, there are very few owners of salmon river fishing who are currently not deriving this return.

There is some risk that the "blood sport" tag, that is attached to fishing by some, will stick, but currently this is not a problem.

Please remember that special consideration must be given to the VAT aspects of diversification as the new activity may not be treated the same as the existing farm business from a VAT standpoint.

Market

A riparian owner with a reasonably stocked trout river is likely to find a market through angling clubs or, if prepared to take on the administration, through adverts placed in fishing magazines.

If a syndicate can be found to take the lease they will do any necessary management of stock and will provide a bailiff if necessary, themselves.

A salmon river is probably best sold through an estate agency which is accustomed to dealing with this type of work.

Physical Requirements

Clean water is essential (with no imminent threat from upstream pollution), particularly for spawning. River bank or loch. c10m unobstructed land is required behind a fly fisherman, to allow for his back-cast. Stocking - if a number of trout in a loch is low, restocking may need to be considered.

In this case only brown trout should be used, as these are natural to our rivers and may breed there if they survive. Restocking should include a range of sizes of fish, as smaller fish, if they survive to grow on, provide a more `interesting' fish.

It is important to avoid a situation where larger fish have been fished out, but simply replacing with 9 - 10" fish (3/4lb) only, will result in an unhealthy population structure.

Some Anglers' Clubs will restock rivers, but it is uncertain whether these clubs or their neighbours reap the benefits unless they own or lease 5 - 10 miles of river. Advertising should mention recent restocking, particularly where larger fish are involved.

Stock retention can be improved by creating pools in the river. It is illegal to block a river, but using partial dams made of fallen trees and "bags" of stones can be effective.

Costs

The following costing information is general and current prices should be sought for budgeting purposes.

Capital Costs

Very low, provided you already own the river bank. Fishing platforms, boats, etc add to the value of the loch site.

A 14' fibreglass row-boat, with water ballast costs .£1,000 - £3,000. Outboard, if permitted, ~£500.

Running Costs

May require a bailiff. May want to provide equipment for hire.

  • Rods £14 - £50 (top of range £350)
  • Reels £15 - £100
  • Lines £ 9 - £20 (top of range £50)
  • Flies 35p Lures (for rainbows) 51p - 55p
  • Flybox £2 - £15
  • Fish bags £15 - £50 (£25 - £50 are much tougher, longer lasting)
  • Landing nets £20 - £50

Also waterproofs, waders, etc.

Returns

Trout day tickets vary from:

£1 - £10/rod for bank fishing } This depends on the level of stock management, etc.

£15 - £40 for a boat (3 rods) } River fishing beats can return £30 - £200 per day for salmon and trout fishing (dependant on part of season) or up to £6,500 per week on exclusive rivers.

Constraints

If fish are to be brought in from any distance, a licence may be required for restocking as a disease prevention measure. This can be overcome by using local stock, having your own fish farm or hatchery. The fishing seasons are: Brown Trout March 15 - October 6 Rainbow Trout Not being a native species, there is no close season for Rainbow Trout in Scotland Coarse Fish There is no close season for coarse fish in Scotland Salmon and Sea Trout The season for migratory fish varies from river to river as detailed below: Annan, February 28 - November 15 Beauly, February 11 - October 15 Dee (Aberdeenshire), February 1 - September 30 (voluntary March 1 start) Deveron, February 11 - October 31 Don, February 11 - October 31 North Esk, February 16 - October 31 South Esk, February 11 - October 31 Findhorn, February 11 - September 30 Forth, February 11 - October 31 Helmsdale, January 11 - September 30 Ness, January 15 - October 15 Nith, February 25 - November 30 Spey, February 11 - September 30 Tay, January 15 - October 15 Tweed, February 1 - November 30 Wick, February 11 - October 31 Ythan, February 11 - October 31

Training

No information available

Grants

Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.

Further Information

Publications

Mills Trout and Salmon. See Fishing New Books.