Fishery
The beats follow the River Findhorn Conservation Code and this forms part of the fishing Conditions for these beats. Please see the District Salmon Fishery Board Conservation Code for more information.
Fishing starts at 6am or first light if later, if you wish to arrive earlier and set up this is not a problem, and finishes at Dusk or 11.59pm.
Please fish the pools on the beat and if need be fish down the pools again.
Spinning is not permitted on this beat at any time.
Dogs must be kept on lead as there is livestock around. Cars should not leave the track and all gates should be left as they are found.
All fish caught, including nil returns must be reported to Mr Neil Wright, email neil.wright@galbraithgroup.com
or in writing to:
Neil Wright
Galbraith
Reay House
17 Old Edinburgh Road
Inverness
IV2 3HF
Should you require guidance on finding the fishings please contact Fishpal in the first instance Tel: +44 (0)1573 470612
Please note that there is no Ghillie on this beat and there is no requirement to call prior to arriving. This is stated in the standard fishpal terms but does not apply to these beats.
Anglers fish at their own risk and it is advisable to wear life jackets, these are not provided by the fishery and guests are recommended to take them with them.
The 'bucket bridge' for beat 3 is used at the your own risk.
River/Area
Findhorn District Salmon Fishery Board Conservation Code 2019
Anglers must release:
All fish caught up to 14th May inclusive
From 15th May:
All fish over 9lbs / 28 inches (4 Kg / 72 cm) All coloured, stale and gravid fish
As many hen fish as possible
If an angler catches a fish that they feel is likely not to survive, then the angler can retain it, but they must report immediately to the estate, the bailiff (Sean McLean 07920 483081) or the FNLFT (Bob Laughton 07887 535986) , who will decide what to do with the fish. This course of action also applies to all fish over 9lbs, which would normally be returned throughout the season under the FDSFB Conservation Code.
RELEASE RATE Anglers are asked to achieve a minimum of:
75% of all salmon/grilse and sea trout caught from the 15th May
KEEP RATE Guidance only as Release Rate above should take priority:
A maximum of 1 salmon (under 9lbs) or 2 grilse (fish under 4lbs) per rod per 6 days
METHOD Before 1st May fly fishing is encouraged.
Most beats are fly only all season. From 1st May it is mandatory.
Pinched or barbless hooks are recommended. Avoid using triple hooks.
6 SIMPLE STEPS:
1. Use the strongest practical nylon cast to aid quick landing of fish. Long playing leads to the build up of harmful metabolites such as lactic acid which kills fish even after they appear to swim away unscathed.
2. Use single or double hooks but avoid using triple hooks. Pinch the barbs by carefully crimping them with slim-jawed pliers.
3. Try and plan your release strategy as you are playing the fish - think where the best area would be to net or beach, unhook & release your fish. Avoid sandy beaches and silty bays, and where there are extensive areas where the water depth is shallower than the depth of the fish.
4. Take great care in handling fish. It helps if there are two of you so try and fish in pairs. Do not pick the fish up by the tail and carry it to the bank for unhooking purposes. If possible use a wide-mouthed small knot- less mesh net to minimise handling and remove the hook and release the fish while still in the water. Wet the hands first or use surgical gloves and wet them as well, avoid the gill area, do not squeeze the stomach and take care not to rub off scales. Turning the fish upside down will often prevent it from struggling. Use your knees or the river bank to keep the frame of the net level and just above the water surface.
5. Use long-nosed artery forceps or slim-jawed pliers for removing hooks.
6. Try to minimise out of water and handling times. Return the fish as quickly as possible. Some photographers keep fish out of the water far too long, considerably reducing their chances of recovery. Support it until it has recovered enough to swim away.
FishPal
EXTRA CORONAVIRUS RULES
These rules are to help ensure that not only you, but also other anglers, gillies and walkers, are protected as far as possible. They will apply to all past and future bookings made through FishPal.
1. Social Distancing. Always keep at least 2 metres away from ALL other people on the river (unless in your own household). In particular do not shake hands with anyone.
2. Do not share cars, boats, huts, tackle, nets, crockery, food etc with anyone else (unless in your own household).
3. No longer expect any ghillie to shake your hand, set up your equipment, make you cups of tea, or drive you round the beat. Do not hand any tip directly to the ghillie. Leave it where it can easily be found.
4. Bring your own food and drink and do not share.
5. Bring your own hand sanitiser and wipes and use regularly during the day, especially if you have to use any WC provided by the fishery (try to avoid if you can). Wash your hands regularly wherever possible.
6. Wear gloves when touching doors, gates, styles, fences or any equipment that is not your own.
In addition you must use your own common sense at all times to reduce the risk of cross infection. If in doubt, don't do it!
STANDARD BOOKING CONDITIONS
1. Once you have booked you cannot change your dates or number of rods (the only exception is when you book through the help desk, have notified us of any mistakes within 7 days of the date of making the booking, and provided proper evidence that the mistake is the help desk's and not your own).
2. If you need to change your rod or days, they can be booked separately if you need extra ones and they are available. If you need less rods or days, or decide not to come after all, then we can try to relet them for you, but cannot guarantee to do so. There is a £10 + VAT charge for trying and if successful a further 10% letting fee + VAT.
3. You cannot sublet the fishings you book without our permission and then only by private arrangement and at the same prices and conditions as for this booking. No agent other than ourselves or the fishery manager may be used to help obtain a sublet.
4. Rods may not be shared on any one day without prior permission of the ghillie or fishery manager, which is often refused and should never be relied upon.
5. In Scotland it is illegal to fish without written permission, so you must bring this confirmation, or a copy of it, with you when you fish.
6. Charges: All bookings are subject to a booking charge which will vary according to the amount being booked. The exact charge will be clearly displayed on the very first booking page once you have set what you are wishing to book. There are no charges for processing debit cards. Credit cards can not be used unless you confirm that you are a non EU angler and will be surcharged by 2.5%.
7. Please note that in line with general practice, we cannot give refunds for fishing spoilt by poor weather, water or fishing conditions. If for any other reason a refund is offered by the fishery it will be responsible for refunding you direct. Only if we still hold the relevant funds will we do it ourselves (funds are sent to the fishery at the start of each month)
8. You must ring the ghillie, or other contact set by the fishery, at least two days before you come, so he knows that you are coming and that you know where and when to meet him.
9. You must report full details of any fish caught to the ghillie or other contact provided by the fishery promptly.
10. We have asked fisheries to provide lifejackets or buoyancy aids of a design that will not impair your ability to fish in comfort. We strongly advise you to wear one when using a boat or when wading in strong or deep water. If you don't, you are doing so at your own risk. If you are not happy with the equipment provided, or any other safety issue, please ring us immediately, so that we can arrange for the situation to be rectified. A general guide to safety can be seen by going to this page
11. If you have any problems with the standard of service provided on the fishery, please tell the ghillie or fishery manager straightaway and if you don't get a satisfactory response, please contact the office immediately, so we have time to act before you leave. Failure to do so will severely hamper any chances of us obtaining fair redress for you.
12. To help prevent an outbreak of Gyrodactylus Salaris which has had catastrophic effects on some foreign rivers, all rods fishing must complete a Gyrodactylus declaration on arrival at the fishery. This states that either you have not used your fishing tackle abroad in the last three months, or you have done so and had it properly sterilised, or you have done so and NOT had it sterilised. In the latter case, you must agree to sterilisation taking place before you start fishing, and accept that there may be some delay in getting this organised. A copy of the declaration form can be seen by going to this page and more information on Gyrodactylus by going to this page
13. All bookings are also subject to the conditions set by the relevant fishery.
14. The booking system and its management are at all times acting only as an agent for the fishery. All letting contracts are therefore between the fishery and the person taking the fishing.
15. The system management and/or the fisheries reserve the right to immediately withdraw fishing without compensation from anyone who breaks these or associated conditions, or flouts normal standards of behaviour or fishing etiquette.
16. You need to bring your own fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies etc) unless you have specifically agreed with the fishery well in advance that they supply this for you.
17. You need to be reasonably healthy and mobile to access most fishings. If you are not, you must notify the fishery or ourselves before you book, to ensure that you can be looked after safely and properly.
18. Anglers are reminded that parking of cars should be in designated parking areas and is always at the anglers own risk.