Nith - Tackle and flies

Tackle advice

The tackle required depends on the time of year and where you are fishing. If fishing on the lower or middle Nith stout tackle will be required in spring or autumn, or even in summer if there happens to be a flood. For fly fishing in the spring or autumn a 15 ft rods will suffice coupled with either fast sinking lines or floating lines with a fast sink tip, but bring the other sink tips 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.

In summer on the Nith a 12 or 13ft fly rod will suffice with floating line or sink tip. On some stretches even a single handed rod will suffice.

For sea trout a 10 or 11ft rod and appropriate line will suffice.

Flies to bring

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. The most popular patterns nowadays tend to be variations on the shrimp fly theme. A good tactic is to work the fly when it is in the water, getting the dressing pulsing can produce many a fish when there seems little opportunity.

It is advisable to contact your ghillie for up-to-date information on what is best for your trip.

Salmon Flies.

Waders and clothing

Most Nith beats require some degree of wading, so bring chest waders. Neoprene waders are suggested for early season and autumn and breathable waders for the late spring and summer. You are advised to wear an inflatable lifejacket for safety, whether fishing from the bank or wading. 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.

Warm waterproof clothes are also advisable as the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable.

Flies

Mayflies, stone flies and sedges can be found on the River Nith to prompt trout into feeding. There will also be a variety of terrestrials although only the hawthorn, black gnats and daddy long legs are consistently important. The calendars below represent the times when these flies can be seen by anglers and available to trout. Anglers should remember that whilst we look for insects in the air, the trout are only interested in food. The majority of the food sources that the trout eat will be subsurface and nymphs. Shrimps and fish make up the biggest part of the trout's diet.

The calendars can be used to show types of nymphs that are available and most active. These are the ones which are closest to hatching. Popular imitation patters for sedges include Hoolet, Hardy's Favourite and Sedge Hog varieties. These also transfer as imitations for stone flies. March Browns and Sepia Duns are usually around earliest in the season whilst the biggest, the Great Red Sedge, emerges slightly later in the summer. Mayflies also appear around late June and July but the timing of hatches always depends on the weather during winter and early spring..

Mayflies

Caddis flies or sedges

Stone Flies

Terrestrials

Salmon flies