The Smithston Fishings form one of the most productive fisheries on the River Doon in Ayrshire. They comprise some thirty-five named, streamy and varied pools along their length. It extends to just over 2 miles and is double bank for most of this. Smithston is a noted summer and autumn salmon fishery which can provide quite outstanding sport with the fly.
The river benefits from compensation flow from Loch Doon and is the only river in Southern Scotland to have this, which means that it is never too low to fish. The river also clears quickly after a spate, meaning that there are very few days lost to high water in the season.
The season on the Doon opens on February 11th and closes on 31st October. The first salmon are usually expected from the fishery in June but the stock builds up in July and successive summer runs bring fresh fish to the beat in increasing numbers to the end of the season. The fishery has been lightly fished in June-August in recent seasons.
Smithston is fished as three beats, each taking two rods on a rotational basis, changing at 1pm each day. The arrangement offers productive water to each rod irrespective of the beat being fished.
There is a fishing cabin with ample parking area at a point where the Middle and Lower Beats meet. There is vehicular access to this via a track from Carnochan farm.
The fishery benefits from a regular bank maintenance programme throughout the season.
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Smithston provides excellent and varied fly water throughout the summer and autumn. The compensation flow means that the river is always fishable when others suffer from low water..
