Kinnaber is numbered among the top fly beats in Scotland, thanks to it being a streamy beat located above the mean spring tide mark. At all times therefore comes the chance of catching a fish straight off the tide. Quiet one moment the beat can come all aboil the next. It is the river’s front hall, the plaything of winds and tides, rains or sun to be fished in accordance.
Traditionally the North Esk is a good spring river. Sea trout tend to start early at Kinnaber coinciding with the best runs of spring salmon. The incomparable July and August experience at Kinnaber is to hitch tiny tube flies and skate them fast and across the stream.
The bend curvatures on this high energy stretch are ideal for flushing through gravel released by events upstream, or settling them usefully on the wading side of the river where the depositions increase scour and flow over the deep side, thereby making Kinnaber an even better low water fly fishing beat.
Accommodation is available in the river-side lodge, custom-designed for the beat, overlooking the lie where fish stop on their way in on the tide. Fish rise a mere cast away from the bar windows. The kitchen is well equipped, with washing and drying facilities, a wood burning stove, tv and WIFI througout, and wader-welcoming floor surfaces. Accommodation consists 3 twin rooms each with en-suite shower and wc.
The lodge is sited on the north side of the beat which is the preferred side for fishing by having private vehicle access to all the pools. A road bridge crosses the river to the south side at midpoint bringing rods to an upstream and to a downstream access point. The pools are all very close together, there being almost no non-fish bearing water inbetween.
Day fishers have access to the day room in the lodge, including kitchenette and wc.
GHILLIEING. Part-time Ghillie Ron Gray is in charge of the beat and has fished it for years, knows every corner as well as some of the advanced fly fishing techniques characteristic of the beat. For full time ghillieing he can lay on someone at extra cost.
ACCOMMODATION can be booked additionally for half week or whole week bookings, where at least 2 rods are taken.
