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DOUBLE BANK FISHING ON THE RIVER TUMMEL AT PITLOCHRY
The
River Tummel is a large river, especially noted for its spring salmon but
also with runs of summer salmon and grilse.
Portnacraig
and Pitlochry beats have been amalgamated into one beat for the season 2009 with
a 5 year average of over 150 spring fish, one of the most prolific beats on
the Tay system. The fishing comprises double bank fishing from 100m below the
dam to the Aldour road bridge 1km downstream. The top 150m or so have been
reserved for fly only fishing and will be clearly marked. The beat offers 3
rods per day on each side with the rods changing at 12.30. Anglers wishing to
start their day on Portnacraig bank should book on that ticket and vice versa
for the Pitlochry bank. Offering rods the chance to swap at lunchtime should
offer anglers the best chance of success given that Portnacraig fishes best
with a bit of water whilst Pitlochry favours low water,in general.Day fishing
permits end at 5pm, all season.
Fishing
off the Portnacraig bank one would hope for medium to
highish water which encourages the fish to hold to the Portnacraig side of
the river. Starting at the top of the beat is a fast run of “riffley” water where fish lie waiting
to ascend the fish ladder which they do in increasing numbers once the water
temp. has risen to around 10 deg C. This run can be especially good for
grilse in July and August and is “fly only”. Next down is a much deeper pool
which is more suited to spinning, perhaps, but the tail of this pool is a
great cast for the fly. Salmon lie well back on the lip of the pool and takes
can be very aggressive as the fly will be coming round at some speed. Below
the Summer Stones(which aren’t visible except in very low water but are slightly
upstream of the parking bay) is a long run of good water. Below the surface
are many ledges and slabs and fish can be expected to take all down the run,
often quite close in to the bank. There is no need to wade deeply here as all
the water can be comfortably covered from close to, or on, the bank. The tail
of this pool is marked by the Suspension Bridge and this is, arguably, the
best taking run on the beat. Salmon lie in this steady water just below the
Suspension Bridge, which is not deep. Casting across and allowing the
fly/lure to drift round on the current is all that is required and provides
many salmon off the beat. In low to medium water you can work right down
under the bridge, continuing downstream about 50m until the depth and flow
make it necessary to come back out onto the bank. In summer low water
conditions anglers can push much further down the bank, wading out just a
couple of metres and many fish are taken very close into the bank.
Fishing
off the Pitlochry bank one looks for lowish water which
encourages the fish to run up the narrow channels on this side. Fish can
be taken very close to the bank so there is no need to try to cast to the
opposite bank, fishing short will cause less disturbance and offer every
chance of a running fish. The top of the beat is clearly marked as is the top
150m which is “fly
only”. Starting at the top of the beat and working down you
will cover all the likely runs. As you come down to the Suspension bridge
there is a large rock beside which is some deeper water. Fish lie all through
this section. Anglers would be best advised to come out at this stage and
re-enter the water just below the bridge. A small burn enters the Tummel at
this point and just below this area is a favourite lie for running fish.
Again, fish hold very close in so stealth rather than mighty casting is
required. Some bank clearance has taken place below this point and it is well
worth pushing 100m or so down the bank, where fish lie in the steady water. Spinning
and fly are permitted on this beat with fly accounting for over 50% of
the fish taken. Due to the nature of the beat anglers should be respectful of
others on the opposite bank and allow a reasonable distance before commencing
fishing. Anglers should also move down the runs at a reasonable pace to give
everyone a fair chance of covering the water.
The
2009 visitor ticket prices are: Jan/Feb/1st half March/2nd
half June to end of season £25,2nd half March/1st half
June £45, April/May £55.
Legal
parking in the area continues to be in short supply. The old turning space,
which is just past Portnacraig Inn on the access road to the Dam, can be used
for parking by anglers fishing the Portnacraig bank. Pitlochry bank anglers
can use either the Recreation Ground car park or the 3 places at Ferry road.
Please do not block access to the private garages when using Ferry road.
Parking areas are shown on the Beat Map,below.
Beat Map(
Please click to open beat map)
Beat
conditions(Please click to read full beat
conditions)
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Portnacraig
Pitlochry
"The Summer Stones"
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How to book. Tickets will be available
online through FishTay at www.FishTay.co.uk
or Pitlochry Tourist Information Centre, 22 Atholl Road, PITLOCHRY, Perthshire PH16
5BX (01796 472215, 01796 472751). Individual anglers will be
limited to a maximum of two days fishing per month over the period April and
May.
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