TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. RENT Rents for the period 15th January to the end of the season are attached. Prices are per boat or per wading / bank rod, with VAT to be added at the prevailing rate (currently 20%). Each boat carries two rods. There are two boats (and so four rods fishing from boats) and four wading / bank rods. Bookings can be from just one wading / bank rod up to the entire beat.
2. RESERVATIONS We do recommend that tenants take out their own cancellation insurance, in case for any reason they are unable to come. Subletting or rod sharing is not allowed. The tenant in whose name the fishing is booked must be one of the rods and is responsible for his/her party. In the event of the tenant being unable to fish on any day or days booked, he/she is asked to give the Estate Office the name of the nominee who will be responsible for the party. It is important that all members of a party be familiar with these Terms and Conditions. There is a copy in the boathouse and lunch hut, or we are happy to send out additional copies on request.
3. BOUNDARIES (a) The downstream limit is marked by the line between the two white posts on each bank where the River Isla joins the River Tay. (b) The upstream limits are marked by a notice board on each bank of the March Pool.
4. GHILLIES, BOATS AND WADING / BANK RODS There are two ghillies, with up to eight rods fishing at any one time. Depending on conditions, the boats may need to transport the wading / bank rods to the appropriate pool. Similarly, the ghillies may need to assist the wading / bank rods, even when with other customers in the boat. The head ghillie will decide where to place all the rods and boats. He will try to accommodate any specific requests, but may not be able to on all occasions. He will try to ensure that all rods and boats have access to all appropriate parts of the beat over the course of the day.
5. ACCESS All rods start at Ferry Cottage Boathouse. This is just off the main road on the Stanley side of the bridge over the Tay. The postcode is PH1 4QW.
6. HOURS OF FISHING The boats will be available from 09.00 until 17.00 and the ghillies will be on duty from 08.30 until 17.30 with one hour off at lunchtime. The decision as to where and when the boats may be used rests with the head ghillie. Tenants may not take out boats themselves. If you would like to wade or fish from the bank before or after these times, please discuss with the head ghillie first. N.B. Holders of trout fishing permits have permission to fly fish for trout from 8am until 6pm (or sunset, if earlier). They are obliged to give way to salmon anglers, and you should not feel inhibited in asking them to do so.
7. CATCH We strictly adhere to the Tay District Salmon Fishery Board recommendations which are currently: 15 January to 31 May
- All fish are to be released.
- Furthermore it is a criminal offence to keep any salmon, including a heavily bleeding one, from the start of the season to the end of March. 1 June to 15 October
- All fish of any size to be released Sea Trout
- All sea trout are to be released throughout the entire season. Heavy bleaders, deseased fish: if a fish needs to be dispatched it remains the property of Meikleour Estate. The Estate will send all dead fish to the Tay hatcheries for analysis. If fishing out with normal hours, particulars of any catch (i.e. weight, lure and pool), including nil returns, should be given to the ghillies at the next normal-hours encounter or, if that is not practical, the tenant responsible is asked to leave a note with the details. Any accidental fish kill (including heavy bleeders) must be reported, we have a legal obligation to do so.
- Fish Handling: We kindly ask our guests to keep fish handling to a minimum, especially during the spring season and in low water and warm weather conditions. Ideally we would like fish to be kept in the water at all times.
8. FISHING METHODS Baiting with prawn or shrimp is illegal. Worming is only allowed from 1 June to 31 August. Any other legal method of angling is permitted. Advice should always be sought from the ghillies in case of further changes.
9. DOGS Dogs are welcome. Please ensure they are kept under control (we have pets that do roam about the river banks) and clear up after them.
10. GENERAL LIABILITY We accept no responsibility for loss or damage to the property of tenants' or any members of his/her party. Nor do we accept responsibility for any injury to the tenant or any members of his/her party. In the interests of safety, no alcohol may be offered to the ghillies. Although we accept no liability for personal fishing accidents, it is recommended that anglers (whether fishing from the boat, bank or wading) and any other boat passengers should wear life jackets, which are available to borrow if necessary. You should ensure that your own insurance covers your equipment.
11. ILLEGAL FISHING We would be grateful if tenants would report to the ghillies or to the Estate Office, any poaching or illegal fishing which they may witness.
12. GYRODACTYLUS SALARIS Please help us prevent an outbreak of Gyrodactylus Salaris, which has had catastrophic effects on some foreign rivers. If you have fished outwith the UK in the last three months, please let your ghillie know. If you are in any way uncertain if your equipment is sterile and safe, disinfection can be easily done in our fishing hut.
