The Tweed, alongside the River Nith, can boast the longest season of any Salmon River in this country. The season begins on the 1st of February and runs right through to the 30th of November, with fishing available from Monday through to Saturday (no Sunday fishing).

The length of the season is indeed a complement to the numbers of migratory fish that run the Tweed system and good sport can be enjoyed from the first to the very last day of the season.

Spring fishing

Spring fishing opens up on the river on the 1st of February and although not for the faint hearted, this month can offer the salmon angler a good chance of catching a Tweed 'Springer'. From the 15th of the month it is also possible to spin for salmon for those who prefer this method or for those who would like a brief rest from fly-fishing.

March sees the beginning of true spring with trees starting to bud heavily and the water temperature beginning to rise steadily. With the increased temperatures and longer daylight hours, salmon begin moving more freely through the beats and Middle Tweed should begin to enjoy increased catches.

April and May tend to be the months of transition on the river when often the cream of the Spring fishing can be enjoyed. Sink tips, intermediates and full floating lines become the most effective fly lines for presenting the fly to the salmon. As the water begins to warm up through May, classic floating line techniques with small flies close to the surface, can induce some heart-stopping sport.

Fishing on the River Tweed

Lower Tweed

Playing a fish in Temple Pool at The Lees

Summer fishing

The warm weather months of June, July and August have become very popular amongst Tweed anglers due to the simple fact that some excellent fishing can be enjoyed for very reasonable prices. If the water level is running low on the gauge, the lower beats of the river will benefit from summer fish, grilse and sea trout coming in off the tide. If, like the last few years, summer rain fills the system with good water levels, the Tweed and its tributaries can see their pools stock with fish and very much in the mood to take a fly. Sea trout are becoming a sought after summer fish in their own right and some very encouraging catches are being recorded well up the system.

Autumn fishing

Autumn fishing on Tweedside draws visiting anglers from all over the world to cast a fly for its famous run of big back-end fish. This is the time of year when the river is quite literally stuffed full of migratory fish heading for the upper reaches of the river system to pair-up and spawn. The autumn run begins in September with early back-end fish coming off the tide and exploding through the beats at speed. With good water levels, the fresh fish will be well spread throughout the Tweed system and most beats will be catching fish. Autumn is now well on its way as October encourages the main back-end run to begin.

Traditionally October anglers will experience the best sport of the season, with many beats enjoying double figure days! The autumnal beauty of Tweedside only serves to heighten the thrill of fighting a fresh run salmon, straight from the sea. Although the water temperature is falling and the days are becoming shorter, November will see a mixture of fresh and coloured fish of all sizes moving through the beats. All fish are becoming sexually mature and are powered by the desire to reach their particular spawning redds and ultimately, to breed. Lower beats will still experience good catches, but the main phase of fish will normally be concentrated on the middle to upper reaches of the Tweed system.