Tag Archive for: edinburgh

Positive fishing season in Scotland 2020

Despite the uncertain times the fishing in Scotland this year post lockdown has been very positive, if not world class at times!

Firstly, it has been immensely encouraging to teach so many newcomers to the sport of fly fishing over the summer. Families, ladies, children, boys & men – I truly hope this continues!

This particular youngster below managed his first ever capture on a fly rod, a solid Rainbow Trout.

This was during a 2 hour lesson with SGAIC instructor & head guide Callum Conner after learning the roll and overhead cast within 30 minutes!

A chunky bow in the net for this young first time fly fisher!

There is no doubt after coming out of Lockdown we had missed the best of the dry fly fishing on our rivers. However, the lack of angling pressure saw us return into a bonanza first few trips as the trout were eager to take just about anything we threw at them!

Panamanian Student Isabelita had an outstanding day with a bunch of big trout and grayling on her first ever fishing trip!!

Panamanian Student Isabelita had an outstanding day with a bunch of big trout and grayling on her first ever fishing trip!!

The Sea Trout fishing has been exceptional on the Tweed. One can only presume the positive effects of net removals etc. On the back of any lift in water levels we were connecting with some very chunky caesars!

I even managed a cast myself at times…

What a fight of this lively bright Sea Trout!

I have observed most of Scotland’s rivers are fishing well this season but most related to us has been the salmon fishing on the River Tay & Tweed. July & August were the best I have witnessed in my time of Salmon fishing on the River Tay.

Our clients done well on the river with the most memorable day being father and son duo Peter & Bertie managing 3 Salmon and 2 Sea Trout – not bad for your first foray into Salmon fishing!

Here is Bertie with his first ever Salmon!

Returning client Derek fished with me five years ago and was great to see him back! After losing his first fish on a spinner right at the net, he changed to the fly and landed this hard fighter!

As we move into Fall/Autumn our attentions will turn to the Upper River Tweed for Atlantic Salmon along with some Pike fishing in the Highlands with lures, fly and dead-baits when the cooler temperatures set in.

A flawless 20lb plus Pike caught a couple of weeks ago by our Head Guide

So safe to say we are looking forward to the colder weather and searching for a few crocs in both species!

As the morning frosts increase it will then be time to target one of our favourite species, Grayling! For anyone it may be of interest we made this short film last winter about Grayling fishing on Scotland’s iconic River Tweed!

Anyone looking for casting tuition and guiding services get in touch – we still have availability for the rest of the season and prospects look good!

Callum Conner

Best Pike Fishing in Scotland Near Edinburgh

Scotia Fishing have access to some of the best Pike fishing in Scotland near Edinburgh!

Edinburgh is a fantastic location to visit in Scotland. The city has all you would ever need as a tourist visiting Scotland. Beautiful architecture, historic streets, palaces, castles, a beach and one of Europe’s best cities for food and drink!

It also benefits from being ideally situated only one hour from beautiful countryside and some of the best Pike fishing!

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Best Pike Fishing Guides

Scotland is a bit of a sleeping giant when it comes to Pike fishing. When you think of Scotland, you will likely think of Atlantic Salmon fishing. Scotland is the home of Salmon fly fishing, so we can fully understand this thinking.

However, we feel the Pike is the underdog, If the Salmon is the king, the Pike is the prince!

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Our Head Guide Callum Conner is recognised as one of the best pike fishing guides in Scotland.
He’s been a fanatical Pike angler from a young age. Covering the length and breadth of Scotland to amass a wealth of knowledge on Scotland’s best Pike lochs and when it is best to fish these lochs. 

During this time he has built up a respectable record of large 20lb plus Pike captures. He’s also one of only a hand-full of anglers in the country to have caught a wild of Pike of over 40lbs! (image above)

Using this experience we will guide you on carefully chosen venues to suit your experience.

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Best Pike Fishing Lochs in Scotland near Edinburgh

Pike fishing in Scotland will take you into some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer. Fishing the iconic Scottish glacial lochs with roaring stags and aggressive tail walking Pike to interrupt the tranquility.

The glacial lochs are the ultimate challenge for the visiting Pike angler. Due to their size, local knowledge is paramount to success.

A good guide will use his experience to assess the conditions and how best to fish the loch. This will maximise your chances of success.

The glacial lochs are the best for larger Pike. We recommend booking a minimum of three days to give you the best chance at landing a 2olb plus specimen!

We’re fortunate enough to have come across some lesser known private lochs and have gained privileged access for our clients.

These private lochs have some of the best Pike fishing in Scotland near Edinburgh. Big numbers of hard fighting Pike can be caught here all year round.

These lochs have fewer 20lb plus Pike, but lots of sporting Pike in the 4-10lb class which are outstanding on light gear and fly!

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Best Fishing Methods to catch Pike in Scotland

Spring Pike Fishing

In early spring the Pike can be be lethargic until the water warms up. During this period we will fish for Pike with bait (dead-baiting) during the morning session.

After lunch we will try fishing from the boat with lures and flies in shallow to medium depth water. Using a depth finder to locate the drop-offs from shallow bays into deeper water with sinking fly lines. 

Once the water has warmed up and the Pike have spawned by mid to late May we will fly fish from the boat with 9ft #9 fly rods from Loop Tackle and streamer style flies or for spinning anglers we use light lure fishing rods 7ft in length rigged with fixed spool reels, braided mainlines equipped with an array of soft plastic, spinner baits and surface lures from Sakura-Fishing. 

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Summer Pike Fishing

Summer pike fishing is our favourite! This time of year we can find the Pike in shallow areas and sometimes sight cast to them with surface lures and surface flies. This is the best way to catch pike in Scotland!

Pike will often bow wave chasing fast stripped flies just subsurface. At this time of year your guide will use the Minn-Kota engine to manoeuvre quietly into position for you to reach the sun-bathing Pike!

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Autumn/Fall Pike Fishing

Autumn/Fall see’s us revert back to Spring style tactics for pike fishing. As the water cools so does the Pike’s willingness to chase a bait. This all depends on the climate at the time. It is Scotland – so very hard to predict!

As October approaches the Pike will be slowing down and lure fishing opportunities become restricted to the warmer mid-day before eventually resorting to dead-baiting all day. 

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Winter Pike Fishing

We fish for Pike using dead-baits mostly from October to April. This method involves fishing with static baits.

Using a variety of different frozen baits we cast into the loch at various areas using a selection of rods to cover a suitable area. As the baits thaw the scent permeates into the water.

The Pike has a very advanced sense of smell and will sniff out the baits, sometimes very quickly. On its day, this is a very effective method and large catch days are possible.

Has this post wetted your appetite to try some Pike fishing?

Read our reviews on Tripadvisor about pike fishing near Edinburgh.

For more information on Pike fishing trips in Scotland, you can contact us via the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page.

Grayling Fishing in Scotland

I’ve been Grayling fishing in Scotland since I was 18 and I can remember when I caught my first ever Grayling down on the River Tweed. After a few trips without success, I managed to eventually catch one after applying some advice I was given on a fly fishing forum (they can be helpful places sometimes!).

I was fishing for Grayling in the summer and set up with a duo of klinkhammer and gold beaded hares ear. I was told to strike every time the klinkhammer disappeared and eventually I struck and it moved – I had hooked something.

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Where the love began, my first ever Grayling and equally impressive hair style – blonde streaked mullet… Those were the days hey?

I landed the fish (which was over 2lb) and safely returned it before proceeding to catch another smaller one and calling it a day. That’s where the love began.

Over the years I have fished various rivers throughout Scotland, building up local knowledge on the rivers and refining my techniques. Without blowing my own trumpet I’ve been lucky enough to land my fair share of specimen Grayling along the way.

It was on the 1st of January 2015 I first beat my personal best with this horse of a Grayling caught on a red tag hares ear and measured at 48cm but look at the shoulders on this thing!

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This was a personal best at the time…

I have caught and weighed Grayling up to 2lb 12oz and this was a bit longer but unbelievably fatter! Easily 3lb plus. That’s only a number though, I just enjoyed catching the fish. Far too much emphasis in fishing these days is on pounds and ounces, just enjoy it!

Now I have beaten it twice in what has been a special, special year for myself personally with Grayling of 3lb 4oz then 3lb 5oz.

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Huge Grayling caught in rising river – the rule books aren’t gospel! Apologies for the background photoshop but fish like these are pretty special and we have to protect our marks and more importantly these fine fish.

It’s hard to believe this majestic looking species were considered a pest many years ago. Persecuted by anglers and ghillies worried they ate all the Salmon eggs.

Thankfully attitudes have changed and they are now a much sought after quarry in Scotland, particularly in winter.

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Fly fish stunning Scottish rivers

Grayling can be fished for all year round although it’s advised to avoid fishing for them during spawning times for obvious reasons. Although related to Trout & Salmon they spawn at different times preferring early Spring.

The great thing about Grayling fishing in Scotland is even in the coldest depths of winter, driving sleet, heavy snow, rain and wind they will still feed when little else is willing to take a fly. I have caught them in temperatures as low as minus 17 degrees celsius!

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Bugging for Grayling

Grayling fishing in Scotland is up there with some of the best quality sport we have in the country (in my opinion). We have a number of quality rivers such as: the River Annan. Earn, Clyde, Isla, Nith, Tay, Tummel, Tweed & Teviot.

All these rivers offer fantastic Grayling fishing with with healthy populations and specimen captures every season.

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Young Jaco from Italy was a star! Three big grayling he had this day. Two over 3lbs!

Whether you are based in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirlingshire, The Borders, St Andrews or Perth there is good Grayling fishing to be had within an hours drive – what are you waiting for?

If you’re interested in Guided Grayling Fishing in Scotland please get in touch now.

We provide full equipment, waders, permits, transport, guides, lunch and photographs from your day to keep as a souvenir.

New for 2015 is our Winter Grayling Fishing Packages with special offers available.