The tackle required depends on the time of year and where you are fishing. If fishing on the lower or middle rivers stout tackle will be required in spring or autumn, or even in summer if there happens to be a flood. For flyfishing in the spring or autumn 15ft rods will be required coupled with fast sinking lines, but bring the sinktip just in case of a mild dry day. Weight forward or even shooting heads can be worth bringing, as a longer cast may make all the difference on some beats.
Many anglers opt to spin in high water. A good 10ft spinning rod will be required with a large capacity fixed spool reel or even a multiplier with 15lb line. Popular baits for bank fishing include devon minnows, especially wooden 'floating' devons fished with a lead weight, toby salmos, blair spoons and Flying C's. For harling from the boat many ghillies will supply you with rods and the appropriate plugs, however not all beats allow harling.
In summer a 12ft fly rod will still be necessary with floating line or sink tip. A decent rod is also required on the Forth but on other tributaries a 12 or 13ft rod will be more than ample. On some stretches even a single handed rod will suffice.
Both rivers require wading, so bring chest waders.
You are advised to wear an inflatable lifejacket for safety, but to be safe, bring your own. Please remember it is important to have these serviced regularly. A stout wading stick will also aid safe wading, but ensure it has a rubber cap on the end to minimise disturbance.
Again fly choice will depend on the time of year. In the spring and autumn weighted tube flies may be required, but if the water is low flies tied on larger doubles or trebles will be sufficient. In summer bring doubles and trebles down to a size 10 or even smaller on some tributaries. On the River Isla for example microtubes with 14 or even size 16 trebles might be all that is required. The most popular patterns nowadays tend to be variations on the shrimp fly theme. A long tail is guaranteed to produce many a longer tale! Your ghillie will advise on the most appropriate patterns.
Salmon Flies.
Grayling Bugs.
Seatrout Flies
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