Depending on which month of the season you fish the river, will directly determine the appropriate tackle you will need to bring. As a brief guidance, 15ft-16ft fly rods will find general use up and down the river throughout the season, but smaller rods in the summer months often find favour for grilse and sea trout fishing.

As for correct density of fly lines, again time of year will decide this but a floating line, a sink tip or intermediate, and a fast sinking line (2/3" per sec) will cover most eventualities. Care should be taken to balance your fly rod with the appropriate weight of fly line to maximise your water coverage.

A fully automatic lifejacket should be seen as a necessity when either fishing from a boat or wading in the river. Many beats now provide lifejackets for their guests' use and you will be strongly recommended to use this facility by your boatman or ghillie. Some form of eye protection is strongly recommended, whether in the shape polarised sunglasses or clear safety glasses to protect your eyes whilst fly fishing.

A strong, sturdy wading stick is also highly recommended on an angler's 'must have' list and the additional support it provides when fishing through a pool, inspires a more confident wade. Make sure the end is weighted and has a rubber stopper to minimise noise and vibration as you wade down through a pool.

It is impossible to give a definitive summary of tackle to bring for your visit to Tweedside. Time of year, water height and water temperature are all deciding factors on which tactics to use for any given day on the Tweed. For more detailed and accurate information about the tackle and safety equipment you will need (ie lifejackets, safety glasses etc), please contact your boatman or ghillie after your fishing has been booked.

Hiring/buying tackle

Visiting and local anglers are able to purchase tackle from local tackle shops and mail order outlets. Those marked with an asterisk (*) in the next column also hire out equipment.

River Tweed

Flies to bring

The Tweed can lay claim to some of the most famous salmon flies ever tied for the pursuit of salmon. Garry Dog and Jock Scott are among the many well-known patterns that the river has inspired, and can still be found in many Tweed fisher's fly boxes. As well as traditional patterns, modern fly tying techniques have also inspired a new breed of deadly flies like the Temple Dog and the ever-evolving family of deadly shrimp patterns. Some of the most widely used patterns are Junction Shrimp, Willie Gunn, Comet, White Wing, Garry Dog, Yellow Tosh, Ally's Shrimp, Cascade Shrimp, Plop Fly, Temple Dog, Purple Shrimp and the Thunder & Lightning.

As for size of fly or tube to use, a general guideline is the colder the water, the bigger the fly, fished deeper in the water. Each individual beat will have their particular favourites where the boatman or ghillie will be able to advise not only which pattern, but equally important, the correct size of fly to use for a given day.

Tackle shops
Tweedside Tackle* Kelso 01573 225306	36-38 Bridge Street, Kelso TD5 7JD. Comprehensive selection of tackle, locally-tied flies, shooting equipment, men's, ladies & children's country clothing. Major brands: Saracione, Loomis, Hardy, Greys, Guideline, Tibor, Simms, Patagonia, Vision, Snowbee, Wychwood, Le Chemeau, Schoffel, Aigle, Dubarry. Please call or email (link opposite) for free advice.
Borders Gunroom * St Boswells 01835 822844	Main Street St Boswells TD6 0AA. Fly fishing and fly tying specialists. Extensive selection of salmon and trout flies and fly tying materials. Rod and wader hire. Rods, waders and accessories by hardy, Greys, Sage, Loop, Bruce and Walker, Vision, Guideline, Snowbee and Orvis. Expert advice given by experienced staff.
J & A Turnbull Galashiels 01896 753191	Mr Hardy J and A Turnbull Tackle Shop 30 Bank Street Galashiels TD1 1EN
T.Shaw's Salmon Flies Thurso 01847 891485	Professional Flytyer. Extensive range of patterns.Tied to order by myself. High standard. Sensible prices. 6 Page list. 10 Shore Street, Thurso, KW14 8BN