Tips and Fishing Rules

Top tips

  • Opt to fish a dropper when wet fly fishing if you want to improve your chances
  • Fish the river as it is dropping ideally after rain in the Summer.
  • Nymph fishing is a great option for anglers and proving far more successful in recent seasons.
  • A medium scoop net is ideal for all species.
  • You will mostly be on the grass and banks so rubber soles are a better choice than felt due to slippery wet grass and mud.
  • Thigh waders can be used here, wellies may be more comfortable. Chest waders are not required but can offer wind and rain protection, and avoid getting you soaked if the long grass is wet.
  • Fish into the evening especially with sedge patterns, upstream and swinging them can be great fun!

Equipment seasonally

  • 8-11ft #4 and up. Good for control in the wind
  • Floating line only or intermediate depending on water conditions.
  • A dropper is recommended always
  • #12, 16, 18, 22
  • Dries – Greenwells Glory, Sedges, Mayfly end of May
  • Montanas replicate stoneflies, Gold beaded Hairs Ear, Pheasant Tails, best to experiment.
  • Sea Trout use the usual wets – whatever your favourite is.
  • Salmon anglers generally fish Beat 3 and Beat 5 for salmon.
  • The favourite leader for Sea Trout is 6lb Maxima Ultragreen, minimum 4lb for Trout is recommended.
  • Always carry and use a net for C&R purposes.
  • See Beat 1 rules, and for Federation beats separately.

 

Fishing rules

  1. The fishing season shall be as follows:
    Brown Trout – 15th March to 6th October
    Migratory Fish – 15th March to 31st October or such date as laid down by the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board. No SUNDAY FISHING for migratory fish. The Avon is closed to all angling from 1st November to 14th March inclusive.
  1. Beats 3 and 5 shall be available for angling by any legal method as advised by the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board. The use of “diving minnow”, prawns and “power bait” is prohibited at all times. The use of worms to angle for migratory fish is only allowed between 1st June and 26th August. . Fishing for brown trout with worms or other organic bait should be done with line of no more than 4lb BS with single hook no larger than #12 No more than one treble hook can be used on any bait, lure or fly.
  1. Each angler is entitled to kill a daily limit of FIVE Brown Trout.
  1. The River Avon is currently classed as a GRADE 3 river and NO SALMON ARE TO BE KILLED until further notice from the Scottish Government. Only ONE Sea trout between 14” and 20” should be killed per angler during the season. All Anglers must return details of all migratory fish caught to the Secretary of their Club before their AGM giving Date, Weight, and numbers of fish caught.

 

  1. Federation Bailiffs, warranted or otherwise, and Committee Members shall be entitled to patrol all beats and are empowered to remove any angler who is not a member of an Affiliated Club. Warranted Bailiffs have the power of arrest under the Law. Each Club can nominate up to a maximum of five bailiffs who may be put forward for Accreditation to the RFFT.
  1. Gaffs, tailers and knotted landing nets are illegal under current legislation. Only knotless landing nets are allowed. When releasing fish they should be handled as little as possible and with wet hands.
  1. Club Membership details are to be carried at all times and must be produced on demand when requested by Federation Bailiffs or other members. Bailiffs and Officials have the right to inspect bags and tackle of anyone fishing the River Avon. Any one refusing to comply with such a request may have their membership withdrawn.
  1. Anglers are requested to report any incidences of pollution, fish poisoning or Poaching to Federation Bailiffs. In the case of pollution swift reporting is essential so a call may also be made to SEPA via their hotline at 0800 80 70 60
  1. Anglers should respect the property and rights of all Riparian Owners and act with tact and politeness at all times. Members should avoid damaging crops, fences and vegetation; shut all gates through which they pass; leave no litter; light no fires and observe the Country and Outdoor Access Codes.
  1. Only ONE ROD may be used at any one time by an angler and it must be held in the hand whilst fishing.