As Christmas approaches another year at Scotia comes to an end. 2026 will see season number 12 for Scotia, how exciting and we cannot wait to get started in the new year.
In 2025 low water periods saw challenging migratory fishing conditions throughout Scotland with the smaller spate rivers affected most. Even some of the big four salmon rivers had low water conditions for most of the season. Particularly the Dee and Tweed. Quite the contrast from last year where we had lots of rain to keep the river levels topped up throughout the year! That being said we still managed to get our clients so me good fishing.
Spring Fishing in Scotland Report 2025
The Spring dry fly fishing was great in the early part. We had some excellent wild brown trout fishing on the River Tweed and Tay.
Great to have returning regular clients Tom and son Ed. They enjoyed some excellent dry fly fishing on the River Tweed. Ed managed this leviathan on the dry fly – what a trout!
Also back returning was Russ, Smashing it with two nice trout from the Tay and Tweed respectively.
He loves a big trout, hates a photo! 🙂
We also had plenty of family beginners introductions to fly fishing.
Great to see so many mums and kids joining in on the fun of fly fishing!
The spring dry fly fishing is one of the highlights of our calendar This is a challenging way to catch wild brown trout and never easy. We managed a number of nice trout for our clients this spring.
The Spring salmon fishing season was a slow start for us. Most fish that were running just simply weren’t stopping! We did persevere and managed a few with more lost than landed.
Mr Redmond managed this cracker on the fly on the Tay’s Junction Pool after only a few minutes tuition!
Summer Fishing In Scotland 2025 Report
My favourite time for Salmon on the River Tay saw catches increase as bigger numbers of fish entered the system.
The ladies always have the magic touch with the king of fish! Mrs Maston was no exception. She was on fire with this fine Tay Salmon! She certainly enjoyed reminding her husband who had caught one throughout the day.
It was a pleasure to have this Hungarian Father and Son duo fish with us on the Tay and Tweed.
They hit perfect conditions and had a day from the gods fishing on the Tweed, managing five sea trout and two salmon.
The son managed a great salmon first cast on the Tay. Literally!
The summer is a great time for youngsters to get into fishing with the water temperatures not as cold they can fish comfortably for hours. Young James or “Wee Jimmy” as we affectionately called him was a superstar with some nice trout caught for his first time fishing.
It was great to have Miles back with me on the Tay.
He had a fantastic two days under my guidance with three free run Grilse all on the fly on his second day for a total of four salmon!
It was a pleasure to guide him again and watch his skills improve.
Despite dry conditions for most of the summer we had a wee bit of rain to top of the rivers. Even if only a couple of inches, this always coincides with an improvement in fishing prospects regardless of the river you fish at this time of year.
Autumn Fishing in Scotland report 2025
Fishing in Autumn in Scotland is usually a reliable option, particularly for migratory species. As the nights draw in and the temperatures drop the colours show and the fish usually come on the take a lot better! Our most productive month was September this year with a few multiple catch days in high-water conditions.
Richard and Andy returned which was great to see, and they managed a few between them on their days fishing with Callum.
This family from Middlesborough smashed it out the park with 5 salmon and a few sea trout. They even managed a first for me – a double hook-up!
Next up was Sergio. He blanked on his first day but covered the river superbly! On his second day he asked what fly he should pick. I advised pick what you’re confident with but give them something size 6-8 dressed fly. First run down the pool he got an amazing take as this male in full tartan breeks nailed the fly just subsurface.
19.5lbs of weighed River Tay muscle! It was a special moment to see him land his PB and his energy was infectious. I hope I am like this at 75! Looking forward to his return in 2026
Let’s not forget the ladies!
Ann was fishing in high water conditions in September. Managing a brace of Salmon at her first attempt whilst fishing with her husband. Just look at the smile!
A beauty of a brown trout for Jennifer! Her husband Joe managed two salmon as well, another great day on the river!
September trout fishing can be good and we often see surface activity come back to life if the temperatures drop sufficiently. Aaron had some action with us on the Tweed in challenging conditions but still managing to find them.
Sea trout are always welcome at Scotia. We managed some nice ones in Autumn for guests on switch and single hand rods when fishing for Salmon and Trout.
Mr Eagan managed this Chunk on a 5 weight – what a fight! His first ever sea run brown as well.
Chris and Tim were back again and we managed to find a nice sea trout for Chris on the switch rod along with a smash and grab Salmon in-between some pool hogging from the opposition!
Tim managed to land his PB grayling, unexpectedly on a salmon fly!
This young couple were enjoying their honeymoon and decided to try salmon fishing. They both fished hard all day and managed to catch right on the last cast of the day!
As October ended we barely saw any frosts and the last week was a wash out after such a prolonged spell of low water.
Winter Fishing Report in Scotland 2025
As November arrived we focused on one of our favourite species here at Scotia – Grayling! Scotland can boast some of the finest grayling fishing in Europe with our central Scotland rivers holding good healthy stocks of Grayling and always the possibility for a trophy!
As the firsts arrived in November we saw some fantastic sport on the Perthshire rivers for Grayling. A number of clients have managed to land their first ever Grayling fishing Euro – Nymphing under Callum Conner’s guidance.
The Californian’s swapped the sun-kissed shores of Venice beach for the frosty banks of the River Tay! Fishing in sub zero temps they managed a few Grayling between them!
Cole was visiting Scotland whilst touring the Uk and wanted to Catcha grayling, something he couldn’t do in Canada. He fished hard all day and at the end was rewarded with this male specimen!
The winter is only just beginning but prospects continue to look good, especially when the river is settled. It’s been a great start to the winter fishing season and we look forward to the rest of December and 2026.
Massive thanks to all our clients in 2025 from the whole team.
Merry Christmas and happy new year to any readers until then. Keep up to date on our instagram to see the latest goings on for Scotia!