Tag Archive for: stirlingshire

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.

Fly Fishing in Stirling with Professional Fishing Guides

Fly fishing Stirling offers beginners and experienced anglers alike a host of fishing opportunities. Stirlingshire is home to some of the best Salmon fishing, Trout fishing and Pike fishing in Scotland, all within a thirty minute drive from Scotia Fishing HQ.

The Trossachs National Park, the home of Loch Lomond, is on our doorstep and offers quality fishing in picturesque surroundings.

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This set of falls act as a temperature barrier in the spring, spring run Salmon often accumulate below here in the correct conditions

Salmon Fly Fishing in Stirling

Stirling is an ideal base for Salmon fishing in Scotland, it is home to one of Scotland’s lesser known gems the River Teith. This bonnie little river is part of the prolific Forth system, which in 2010 was the most prolific stretch of river in Scotland! The Teith offers Salmon anglers the chance of a Salmon from opening day in February right up to the last day of the season.

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A beautiful spring salmon

 

Scotia Fishing provide guided Salmon fishing trips on a private beat that in recent years produced a 40lb Salmon to one lucky angler! This river also produces fantastic Sea Trout fishing in late spring and early summer.

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Stunning fresh Sea Trout caught when fishing for Salmon!

The beauty about Stirling is it has the main motorways north and south on its doorstep, the river Tweed, Tay, Tummel, Isla and Earn are only a short drive away should conditions be unsuitable for the local rivers. Scotia Fishing offer a range of guided Salmon fishing trips in Stirlingshire

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A lovely wild brown trout caught fishing traditional Scottish wet fly techniques..

Trout Fly Fishing in Stirling

When it comes to Trout we’re fortunate to have some of best Trout fly fishing in Scotland located right in the heart of the Trossachs.  It is home to two of the country’s finest rainbow trout fisheries, Carron Valley Reservoir and the Lake of Menteith.

Both venues hold international fishing competitions annually where anglers from all around the globe travel to fish. One of our guides Lennie got to the semi finals of the club championships in 2014 and knows the Lake very well.

The lake not only offers first class fishing, it has first rate facilities, surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife (it is not uncommon to see Osprey’s fishing here) and has some fascinating history.

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Here are the kind of views on offer in the Trossachs…

The Wild Trout season runs from the 15th of March to the 6th of October but there are still options to fish for Rainbow Trout out with these dates.

Scotia Fishing provide guided fly fishing in Stirling for Trout on these special lochs and lakes. You can find out more by clicking on the links above or by contacting us using the “contact us” button at the top of the screen.

 

 

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A horse of a Pike caught in the Trossachs fly fishing from a float tube.

Pike Fly Fishing Stirling

The Trossachs is home to some of the best fishing in Scotland for Pike where 30lb plus specimens are caught most years. There is no shortage of Pike lochs in the Trossachs, our guides know these waters like the back of their hands. We know the best times of year for the individual Lochs and will choose according to your date.

The Trossachs is a must-see part of Scotland and what better way to experience it than enjoying the majestic views and array of wildlife whilst fishing from a boat or float tube.

Scotia Fishing can organise guided Pike fishing trips in Stirling with fanatical Pike fishing guides that have the experience to locate and catch these big Pike that inhabit our Trossachs lochs.

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Pike on the fly, from a float tube – it’s better than sex!

 

Pike fishing is available all year round but from November – March fishing is best with dead baits as the Pike do become less inclined to chase a moving bait.

Check out our Pike gallery for photos from our Pike fly fishing trips in Scotland.

 

For more information about guided fly fishing Stirling please get in touch using the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page or by following the link throughout the post.