Lower Bolfracks beat starts about three miles west of Aberfeldy on the road to Kenmore (A827) and finishes about one and half miles west of Aberfeldy at Home Farm.
Access to car parking at Neils and the Haugh both have padlocks for which a code is required (available on booking).
6 rods are normally let with 1 house rod retained making a total of 7 anglers maximum on Lower Bolfracks beat.
Reviews
2nd August 2020 - I fished Lower Bolfracks a few years ago and the change to the beat is extraordinary .It ihas been upgraded and has brilliant access , signage and huts.It puts to shame major beats up and down the tay and on most big rivers
17th March 2021 - Jim keeps the beat well trimed has done exceptional amount of work on the banks easy to walk along and get into the water some easy wading and some more challenging .plenty wild life and flowers make fishing more enjoyable excellent fishing have fished it many times over the years improves if it is possible every time I go need to land more fish instead of long range c&r lol .looking forward to end of season BBQ always good fun thankyou Jim cheers JC
14th August 2021 - Hi Jim good to meet you at the beat yesterday. All very impressed with the extensive improvements you have made including the huts paths drains cut grass areas etc. Also like the bird boxes! I'm sure your enthusiasm will bring many new customers. Keep it going! CM
18th August 2021 - Its not often I write a review but after the excellent week I spent fishing for the wild trout and grayling on Jim Stewarts water i felt it was only right to do a review. When you arrive at the beat its obvious Jim has spent alot of hours maintaining the beat. Putting paths right along with walkways and steps down to the water and bird boxes squirrel feeders and bat boxes in the trees. The fishing its self was the best I have had in over 4 decades of fly fishing with numerous trout including a few over 2 pounds and two over 3 pounds and a handful of above average Grayling. My advice would be book a day and contract Jim before you go as he has a wealth of knowledge of the beat which is invaluable. MG, Cumbria
Pools on the Lower Bolfracks Beat
Neils
Neils is a pool often overlooked by the regulars. To be fair it is not the easiest pool to fish the fly, which many prefer. There is a good new car park and wide path cut to the croy. Under 2ft - leave 2nd rod at the seat and rod rest - walk between the stone and fence upstream to a grassy area on the bottom of the Carse pool. Fish out to the left in the hard water walking from the grass back to the stone - not further out (usually going on the inside of the stone and try covering the end of the croy from above it. Below the croy, here the banks are steep and wooded. Wading is possible in low water, even though - keep close to the bank and only 2-3 rod lengths is enough to cover where the fish lie. Anything over 2ft - fish off the walkway - which is castable with a fly rod for a competent fisher off the left shoulder - or with a spinner/flying C as it holds fish right to the tail of the pool. In higher water, below the hut for 200yard under the trees all the way down - fish are seen to run up the middle of the pol and is worth a cast down to the top of the small island - but do not wade out - remain close to the bank. This lower part is more for the spinner/lures. Low water will take the fly.
Between Neils and Dalrawer there is a hard run near to the bank which has got the deeper over the years. There is a small island which has a deep run between it and another smaller island closer in to the bank. Between the two islands is a deepish hard water run that has opened up. It goes down to the right of the hut 80-100 yards. Where the very last tree overhangs the pool - it doesn't look deep, but in 4 inches of water I couldn't cross it - there is a deep hole here - it will hold fish at some point and I will have one before the season ends! On the far side of the island - there is a shallowish run into deep run on the far side under the trees that runs from Neils right in to the top of Dalrawer, but only fishable under 2ft of water.
Dalrawer Island
Dalrawer Island is a pool many make a bee line for. There is a lay-by for easy parking. Access is down a new set of steps and across channels of the river that runs either side of a small island. Care must be exercised especially in water over 2 - 3 foot as it may not be possible to get out to the islands. The main pool itself is gently shelving to the opposite side where there is a deep run the whole length of the pool. Again the fly works itself nicely. In low water one can wade from the top of the pool right the way to the tail. Make sure you fish to the tail of the pool opposite the power line on the other side, or sunken tree roots on this side. The fish lie amongst the stones lower than the power line pole and stump - so make sure you fish past the stump. The tail is a good spot to fish in high water one can wade from there on a diagonal back to the bank and fish right down to the hut at the top of the House Pool.
House Pool
There used to be a boat on House Pool, and for many years it was not fished at all. Until a few years ago this was impossible as there was too much undergrowth, but this has been opened up for some interesting fishing. The pool is deep and full of rocks and the right hand bank has a deep trench. You can wade the entire length of the pool at the right height to the Haugh in 1ft, but it is not the easiest because there are large stones - but is a nice bit to fish with the fly. Wading is not recommended above 2ft, but fishing from the new paths spinning and flying c's through this pool and anything above this height is now fishable and can be rewarding in these conditions.
Haugh
At the Haugh there is good parking for a few vehicles.
Access is through the double galvanised gates below Bolfracks House.
The Haugh pool is underfished. You can fish right behind the seat and rod rack as you drive through the gates in up to 2ft of water entering directly behind the seat. Fish down under the trees to the croy - more spinning and lure fishing for first 200 yards because of the trees - but in low water you can wade out further and use the fly rod. Where the power line crosses overhead - there is a deep hole - I can't cross it at summer level, but take care casting due to the power line overhead. I usually use a spinning rod here as the 16 footer gets a bit close!. Once under the power lines - you can fly fish from here down and around the back of the croy. It's ideal for dangling your fly in the hard water especially in low water, but from 50 yards above it - go through with a flying c and lures right to the sign at the end of the beat.
Home Farm
Below Farleyer, Lower Bolfracks fishings finish with the Home Farm Pool. There is easy parking at the farm entrance, but please ensure you do not block the access. There is a new wide path cut right to the top of the pool. Use the high path to access the top of the pool, go right to the top of the beat to the sign where there is a fence post and three new steps into the pool. Walk in and upstream to the fallen tree which is underwater, but only in levels below 1ft 6in, then fish out left into the hard water - the grilse lie out here and is often a place where they can be seen jumping from there to the first net on the bank. This is a surprisingly deep pool, it is known for its big fish. Both the fly and the spinner work well. Indeed for the fly a cast is hardly necessary. A long rod makes it possible to fish almost on the dangle! The pool is very long. The pool should be fished to the right of the hut and come out at the burn. Below the burn down towards the island, which you can fish three-quarters of the way down to the town waters, there are a few little holes which are worth a cast, but mainly due to the height of the bank, spinning and lures is advised.
Please note - there is no overnight parking allowed at any of the parking areas associated with any of the beats.
ALL LITTER MUST BE TAKEN AWAY.
Why you need to fish here
very under rated beat .... not crazy priced great fly water and spinning no pressure from ghilles , fish from sun up till dark
