Hoddom

Location

Summary

Five year average: 260 salmon/grilse
and 78 sea trout
2.5 miles left bank and 1 mile right bank, 10 pools
3 huts, WC, ghillie can be arranged
Maximum rods: 15 fly fishing with additional 5 when spinning
Price range: £15 to £40 +vat per rod/day (excluding online fees).

Description

Hoddom's fishing is situated just 4 miles from the sea and comprises of about 2.5 miles of double bank fishing with 10 named pools (and lots of fishing in between them).

The beat is set amongst stunning woodland that burst into a kaleidoscope of colours every autumn. The ungrazed banks are rich in wild flowers from late spring through to late summer offering excellent cover for anglers to sneak up on fish.

Much of the beat offers classic fly water with strong flowing streams interspersed with steadily flowing glides. The beat is generally fairly easy to access though care should be taken when wading at night or when there is a rise in water.

As a general guideline based on the Brydekirk gauging station ideal levels for fly fishing are 1'3" to 1'10" and for spinning over 1'10".

Please note that all salmon must be returned until 1st June.

Hoddom is normally the top beat on the river for sea trout and salmon with records of 430 salmon for 2004 and over 1,000 sea trout in 1998. In common with much of the Annan salmon catches have been steadily rising on this beat for the last few years.

The sea trout fishing starts to get good around mid May with June and July being the peak months. If there is rain the grilse fishing in August and September can be very good with the larger salmon coming during October and November. Due to its close proximity to the sea even the last few days of the season are reliable for clean fresh fish straight of the tide. From mid November through to March the river is open for grayling fishing, which at times can be superb. Fish over 2lb are not uncommon and there is every chance of a fish over 3lb.

The beat is generally fly only for salmon and sea trout but there is a mark on the bridge in the middle of the beat. When this is covered anglers are allowed to spin. Many salmon anglers find that fly-fishing at this level is more productive than the spinner.

POOLS
Milk Foot, Horse, Goats, Hallguards, Bridge, Churchyard, Dukes, Banks of Hoddom, Scales and Meinfoot Flats.

BEST FLIES
Green Highlander, Jock Scott, Black Fly.

BEST LURES
Yellowbelly Devon, Flying 'C'.

SPECIAL OFFER

People who book onto Hoddom at any time of year will get a free day's Grayling fishing to be taken between 15th November and 14th March.

We can also provide guiding services and anyone wishing to take advantage of this service should contact Finlay Wilson on 01721 760241 or by e-mail on finwilson@fishwild.co.uk