The River Almond, once classified as the most polluted river of its size in the UK, has gradually been improving since the dark days of 1884, when angling on the River Almond had ceased completely. The River was at one point said to flow "nearly black at times and oil and particles of coal dust had been seen", but the creation of the Forth Purification Board saw the start of this improvement. Thanks mostly to the industries that relied upon its water falling into decline, the River Almond has improved vastly over the last 30 years.
The River Almond starts its travels from the Cant Hills (B Fair), just North of Shotts, then winds its way North Easterly via Harthill, Whitburn, and Blackburn(joined by the Cultrig Burn A2) to Seafield, where it is joined by the Breich Water(B Fair) (some say that the Almond should really be named the Breich), which is fed from the Gladsmuir Hills. The River then flows through the industrial new town of Livingston, via a number of weirs to Mid Calder, where the Linhouse Water joins at the westerly end of Almondell Country Park. The Weir below the Linhouse Junction is passable, a salmon pass was installed in 1978, but the biggest threat here is from poaching.
The River continues on its journey through West Lothian into Midlothian and takes another tumble over the weir a Clifton Hall and at Kirkliston it is joined by the Brox Burn (C Poor, but I believe this has been reclassified in 2007). Then onto the Niddry Burn (B Fair)and the Swine Burn(recently upgrade from Poor to A2 Good), this is where the Cramond Angling Club's fishing starts. Then it rounds Edinburgh Airport to be joined by the Gogar Burn.
The Gogar Burn starts life close to the A70, fed from the Corston Hill, making its way through West Lothian along the A71, where its pure waters are very quickly polluted and to rub salt in her wounds, she runs under South Gyle and Edinburgh Airport via a culvert, before again seeing light just yards from its junction with the River Almond.
Day Permit
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Barnton Post Office, 199 Whitehouse Road, Edinburgh, EH4 6BU
0131 339 1236 -
Orvis, 19 Hope Street, Edinburgh EH2 4EL
Tel No: 0131 226 6227 -
Scotmid, 1-7 Station Road, Kirkliston West Lothian EH29 9BE
Tel No: 0131 551 1224 -
Edinburgh Angling Centre Unit E Granton Retail Park, 65 West Harbour Road, Edinburgh EH5 1PW
Tel No: 0131 202 6351
Season Permit (Club Membership) - How to join the club.
Please send the completed application form to the Club Treasurer and include a self-addressed stamped envelope and cheque to:
22 Parkgrove loan EH4 7QX.
The application form for the club membership can be found on the Cramond Angling Club website
Other Permits available from West Lothian Angling Association
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WLAA Rules and Code of Conduct – 2021 Season
West Lothian Angling Association (WLAA) is responsible for all fishing on 8 miles of the River Almond. The WLAA leases the fishings from the Crown Estate Scotland and it includes all migratory and native species and is bound by the lease requirements and other statutory requirements (national, district, or local). The WLAA is committed to the provision of fishing at an affordable cost, working with others to promote best practices and manage the fishing for the benefit of its members and the fish species (including their environment).
There are a number of species of fish in the river which are covered by the permits, these include:
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Atlantic salmon and sea trout (Migratory Species)
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Brown trout (Native resident species)
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Perch, pike (Other resident species)
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Permits can be obtained through www.Fishforth.org
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Linlithgow Angling Club (LAC) aims to improve and promote fishing for brown trout, sea trout, and salmon on the River Avon.
Organise member outings to local still-waters.
Maintain the health and well-being of the River Avon by carrying out riverbank maintenance, control of Invasive plant species, performing invertebrate surveys, fish population surveys, and water purity tests.
Occasional social events.
LAC has the exclusive rights to Beat 4, which is for fly fishing only and comprises around 8km of double bank fishing from approximately, the Union Canal aqueduct to the Bo’ness railway viaduct.
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Beat 5
Pool A stream at the top from the left bank (hellish wading, big boulders, take a wading stick!) wet fly, long line (I use an 11′ 3″ #8 switch rod)
Pool B Seatrout Run from as high as you can get and fish from the LB – the main flow is at the RB and the deepest; try not to wade until the gravel spit as there are many DEEP holes – wading is good below the spit, from halfway down from the spit there are deep boulders RB and to center where the Seatrout lie, best into the darkening for Seatrout.
Beat 4
Pools 37/38 Trout run into the Farm pool, LB used to be able to fish to the trees at the foot of the farm pool, but the bank is too unstable below the chairs.
Pool 43 Long pool, from halfway down to the tail LB long line fish close to the RB and allow the line to swing downstream.
Favoured Flies: Salmon, #8 to #12 double long shank hair wing orange, red or black overall colour, preferably small jungle cock and always GP-Topping tail
Seatrout, Connemara Black, Silver Invicta, Dunkeld, Blae and Black, Kate McLaren, and Stoat’s Tail (Silver)
For more information on the Club and how to apply for membership, contact the Club Secretary, David Manion at davidmanion@live.co.uk
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The Esk as part of the Musselburgh District Angling Association is thriving as a fishery. The new tenants that lease it from the East Lothian Council are making a tremendous effort to tell the angling communities locally how good the river really is.
With the club offering 3 miles of fishing along the lower stretch of the Midlothian Esk, there is something for everyone just 25 minutes from Edinburgh.
The club also offers grayling tickets during the winter and salmon, sea trout, and brown trout fishing during the open season.
Musselburgh and District Angling Association confirm that season tickets are now available to fish the River Esk.
Anglers can get them at Ace Bike Co, North High Street, Musselburgh, next to the Brunton Hall, and the Open All Hours (known locally as Tracy’s) in Eskview Terrace.
Alternatively, anglers you can now also buy online using the book now button on the Facebook homepage or by visiting https://www.fishforth.org/…/musselburgh-district-angling-a…/
The price for an adult season is £20 and under-16 and over 60 season tickets are £10. A day ticket is £5.
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Fishing on the Water of Leith from Balerno Bridge to Bonnington is free at the moment but you do need a permit. The fishery is managed by the Fishery Officers on behalf of and in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council; the Officers are volunteers and patrol the river regularly and check permits and offer helpful advice to anglers
The season opens on 1st April and runs until 30th September. Permits are essential to ensure that you know the rules and regulations and comply with these when fishing the river. This helps to maintain the long-term sustainability of the fishery. The river is no longer stocked with trout and we rely on anglers to uphold and promote the 'Catch and Return' policy. Other species may be caught fishing, they should all be returned safely to the river. There is no fishing for any species out with the season indicated above. Permits are available from a number of outlets (see the list below). The river is no longer stock
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What type of Fishing can you do?
Fly fishing - for the length of the river, we recommend wet flies size 14/18 nymphs with lines of 3lb breaking strain. Dry fly fishing is recommended in summer only
Bait fishing - from Slateford down to West Bowling Green Street bridge in Bonnington only. Maggots or small worms are best, fishing with a 3lb breaking strain and a small hook.
What will you catch?
Brown Trout, Grayling, Stone loach, Minnow, 3 Spined Stickleback, and Flounder. Please note Salmon and Sea Trout fishing is Not Allowed and that River Lamprey and Bullheads are rare and protected so it is illegal to disturb them.
Find your FREE permit from:
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Post Offices at Junpier Green, Currie, Balerno, and Colinton
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Fishing Tackle Shops across the city
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The Water of Leith Visitor Centre
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The East Lothian Tyne is a small spate river, passing through Haddington and entering the Firth of Forth just north of Dunbar. The river is principally a brown trout river but with improving runs of migratory fish, in particular sea trout.
The fishing on the river Tyne is managed by the progressive East Lothian Angling Association, which issues day and season tickets at very reasonable rates. Permits are available from a wide variety of outlets locally.
Fishing for wild brown trout, sea trout, and salmon in the picturesque county of East Lothian
The Tyne is a natural fishery and is not artificially stocked – ELAA supports catch and release.
The East Lothian Angling Association lease and manage the majority of the river, from above Pencaitland down to the tide at Tyninghame.
The Tyne has a good stock of wild trout and is now managed exclusively as a wild trout fishery. The Tyne gets a good run of sea trout from around May onwards, these fish are often sizeable, and provide a challenge to the angler.
The odd salmon may be encountered, given good water levels and time of year.
Local vendors for permits:
LEISURE TIME SPORTS, 51 Market Street, Haddington
VEERMAN’S, 130 High Street, Tranent
ACE BIKES, 101 N High Street, Musselburgh
DUNBAR PET FOOD LTD, 18 Westport, Dunbar
GANNON SPORT, 126 High Street, North Berwick
GAMEFISH, Howe Street, Edinburgh
MARKLE FISHERIES, Markle, East Linton
THE MART, Haddington Road, East Linton
THE WORKSHOP, 20 Links Road, Port Seton
EDINBURGH ANGLING CENTRE, Granton Retail Park, 65 West Harbour Road, Granton, Edinburgh
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Secretary Lee Ross
15 Leet Street
Coldstream TD12 4BJ
The Berwick & District Angling Association controls several miles of the river Whiteadder with some prime Salmon, Sea Trout, and Brown Trout fishing.
The Association water starts just above Allanton Bridge near Chirnside in Berwickshire and runs over limestone ridges, through meadows and wooded valleys before meeting the Tweed about half a mile above Berwick upon Tweed. The river has many fast streams and deep holes holding the bigger fish.
Salmon Permits
The cost of salmon permits is as follows and is current as of the 2021 season.
Full Season Salmon Ticket £160 (£20 discount if bought before 15th March)
Includes Brown Trout when in season
Concessionary Salmon Ticket £130 (£20 discount if bought before 15th March)
No fishing on Saturdays for Salmon or Sea Trout.
Includes Brown Trout when in season
Day Permits £30
Includes Brown Trout when in season
Brown Trout Permits
Full Season Permit £35
Concessionary Season Ticket £25
Age 65 or over
Week Permit £20
Youth Permit £FOC
Age 16 years or under
Day Permit £10
Permits can be obtained from the following by post including a stamped addressed envelope :
Mr Robin Whitecross,
Clarabad Mill Farm,
Paxton,
Berwick upon Tweed
TD15 1TJ
By calling at:
Harrisons Newsagents, Berwick upon Tweed.
Allanton Inn, Main Street, Allanton.
Chirnside Paper Shop & General Store, Chirnside.
Foremans Butchers Norham
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