1. FISHING ETIQUETTE Good manners and courteous behaviour are encouraged at all times.
a) A fisherman commencing to fish in front of someone fishing the opposite bank should commence fishing at least one hundred yards downstream from the opposite angler, or in a different pool. When starting behind the opposite fisherman allow a separation of at least fifty yards.
b) A fisherman must make steady progress downstream while fishing a pool thereby allowing any following fisherman on either side of the river equal progress through the pool.
c) A fisherman should show awareness of others fishing the river. For example he should be prepared to lift his line out of the water by request should another fisherman on the same or opposite bank be playing a fish. Remember the fellow fisherman opposite has an equal right to enjoyment of the water.
d) Fishermen will not be permitted to share rods.
2. FISHING METHOD
a) Fly fishing only is permitted. The following are forbidden: Spinners; baits such as a shrimp, prawn or worm; 'megabait' and similar products; chemical 'dips'; illuminating or glowing lures. If in doubt ask the ghillie.
b) The upstream method of fishing with sunken tackle is forbidden.
3. WHERE MAY I FISH?
a) There are 3 'rods' on Borrowston beat. By agreement with the owners on the opposite bank only one person on our bank can fish each rod. The rods are clearly marked on the maps in the fishing huts.
b) The rods are rotated on a daily basis at 1.00pm. c) In that the limit of 'rods' on the opposite bank may vary from ours it sometimes will appear to us that there are two fishers against our one. Seen from the other bank however the same applies!
4. THE DEE CONSERVATION CODE
a) The Dee Conservation code will be observed. At present this means that all Salmon, Grilse and Sea Trout must be released back to the river.
b) If, despite your efforts to avoid harming the fish, it bleeds copiously from the gills, it will die if released. In such circumstances kill the fish quickly and humanely. You are not entitled to keep such fish. They will be given to the proprietor. The purpose of this rule is to avoid any temptation to kill fish.
5. MISCELLANEOUS
Beat Advice
A RELEASING FISH Please remember that taking a played fish out of the water has been likened to shoving an exhausted human head into a bucket of water immediately they have run a race. Try to keep the fish in the water at all times and release it with the least interference or damage you can. It is easiest to do this by stepping into the water (where it is safe to do so) alongside the played fish. Don't damage the fish by scraping it up the bank. More advice on releasing fish is on posters in fishing huts. The purpose of catch and release is to return healthy fish back into the river so that they survive to breed. Between February 2000 and Sept 2004 we have killed only 18 salmon out of more than 1,250 caught. Thank you and please help us keep up this fine work.
B EQUIPMENT
Rods: We recommend the following: Feb-early June and September - double-handed rod 14ft - 16ft Mid June - August - double-handed rod 12ft - 14ft Generally speaking a single handed rod is only worth using in low water conditions and it is certainly unsuitable for some wind and water conditions. Do not rely on a single-handed rod as the only means of fishing on the Dee but do please by all means bring one along in the summer.
Lines: depends on water temperature and height, bring at least one of each category: a) sinking tip or slow sinking or intermediate b) floating line Note: fast sinking lines are not suitable
Waders: Chest-waders are required + wading stick Clothing: Warm and waterproof!
Safety: Eye protection please consider wearing safety glasses, preferably polarised (we recommend Solar Shield)
Life jackets we provide inflating jackets if required.
C. TUITION We have requests each year for tuition. Some are from complete beginners but others from those keen to improve, for example, their spey-casting technique. Our ghillie, Bill Palmer, is an excellent teacher but please be aware that if he is expected to spend much time teaching one person then he cannot attend to everyone else. Therefore it is simply not acceptable to bring complete beginners when we are fully let and expect Bill to teach. He has instructions to try to look after all our tenants equally. Complete beginners are welcome in the quiet times of the season - July and August . Please let us know that you require tuition and we shall try to accommodate your visit accordingly.
D. INSURANCE OF YOUR PROPERTY The insurance cover in the fishing huts does not extend to items left there by tenants. If you wish to leave your belongings in a hut it is at your own risk and you are advised to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for sports and other items when travelling.
