In addition to my courses, I have a certain amount of fishing available separately. Either view here or telephone the office for availability and prices.

Upper Caberston, River Tweed

Upper Caberston is located in the beautiful upper Tweed Valley in the Borders of Scotland. The Beat consists of approximately a mile and a third of double bank fishing winding its way from Traquair Water at the upper limit, right down to the Bridge at Walkerburn. The Beat is fished by 6 rods rotating in pairs around 9 named pools including the (in)famous Cauld Pool where, in the years before the dyke was breached, the poachers could snitch Salmon out of the Salmon ladders using that well known fly the Walkerburn Angel.

All the fishing is either from the bank or by easy wading with good access. Though there are a few spring fish and a summer run of Sea Trout, the prime Salmon fishing months are Late September, October and November when the main run of autumn fish runs the upper Tweed and given water spectacular sport is possible.

Significantly this area is often fishing at its best when many of the lower beats are washed off. There is a good fishing hut, with kitchen and WC and an excellent Ghillie, Steve Dickson. Steve works part time off season but full time during October and November.

Spring & summer – The beat is let either by the week for salmon, sea-trout and brown trout, with the full use of the hut and the part time assistance of the ghillie, or as last minute day rods on the un-let weeks without the hut or ghillie.

September, October & November Lets - Rods are let in 3-day periods of Mon-Wed and Thurs-Sat.

The pools from the top down are as follows:

Island pool - This is a running pool opposite the upper Island which consists of a rapid with two shelves that form brief stopping points between the Bishops and Traquair water. It is best fished from the Island side.

The Bishops - This is a long stretch of lovely fly water enhanced by two small croys. It takes a lot of our fish and though Bishops tends to work best from the left bank, particularly in high water, it fishes in lower water from both sides.

The Clure - Otherwise sometimes called the bus stop due to the post that sticks out from the lower left bank, this is really the fast deep channel that eventually runs round the corner and into the Gooselandale. The Clure works best from the right bank.

The Gooselandale - This is the slower deep holding pool above what is left of the old weir. With our removal of the old croys that were channeling the flow over to the right bank, this is now one of the best high water pools on the entire upper tweed. In fact on two days in 2005 we took the only fish from the tweed from this pool, proving that it is never too coloured to catch if you are the right place. It fishes from the left bank in high water and from both banks in low water.

The Cauld Hole - This is the weir pool, greatly improved by the big flood in January 2005. Fish stop here before running the weir. Not easy to fish, with numerous back eddies and opposite flowing currents it still takes a number of fish each season from both sides.

The Upper and Lower Runners - Two pools with a gravel bar dividing them that start opposite what in high water is our lower island. The upper fishes best from the right bank and the Lower Runner from the left.

Weavers - A long, fast run, with a deeper channel against the left bank and numerous lies along its entire length, from the hut down almost to the rugby field opposite the village. Lovely fly water all the way and a consistent fish taker at low water levels.

Shaws - On all the old maps this was a separate pool that became part of Weavers when one of my predecessors installed four croys to speed up the flow. In the summer of 2005 we removed the croys and reinstated this as it once was, a fantastic high water deep holding pool which fishes from both sides but is better from the right bank.

The Bridge Pool - The last of our pools, which runs down to the Iron bridge in Walkerburn. Beautifully improved for us by the big flood in January 2005. This is the quintessential salmon pool, a fast run in to a deep holding corner where the Walker Burn itself comes in, then a long smooth holding section, spilling into the classic V tale and a long rapid below it. The Bridge pool works at every height and from both sides but is more easily fished from the left bank.

What to bring - In ideal conditions the water will be fairly high and your double handed rod and sinking lines with light tube flies of 1-2” will be the order of the day. In lower water sink tips or intermediates and flies in the 6-8 hook sizes should take fish. Spring fish tend to like lots of flash, so I prefer gold, silver and yellows at this time, whereas in autumn fish tend to react aggressively to red and orange.

A single-handed 8wt rod is also a useful addition in August and September for some of the big Tweed Sea Trout. Although some of the pools can be fished from the bank you would do best to bring chest waders and those made from neoprene are best for cold water.

It is also strongly recommended that you wear a lifejacket, eye protection glasses and carry a wading stick when on the River.

Location - To get to the Beat: Take the main road (A72) from Galashiels to Walkerburn. In the middle of the village turn left down Caberston Road. Then after 100yards turn right down a narrow entrance just beside the school (stone wall). This will take you down a track past the Rugby Club on your left. The hut is about ½ mile on down this track by the River.

Accommodation - Hotel accommodation is available either in Walkerburn at the George Hotel just a few hundred yards from the beat Tel. Dawn Roger on 01896 870336 or in Innerleithen at the Traquair Arms Tel. 01896 830229 or the Caddon View Tel. 01896 830208 (both about 2 miles from the Beat). B&B accommodation is available adjacent to the beat run by Ian Robson Tel. 01896 870229 or at the Windlestraw country house hotel (1/2mile from the beat) Tel. 01896 870636.

Caberston beat rules

Rods are let subject to the Beat Rules, in lots of 3 days fishing, either Mon-Wed or Thurs-Sat with availability as follows:

Fishing Rules

1. Rods will fish the Beat in rotation organized by the Ghillie who will hold a draw at the start of each 3-day period. Changeover is at 1pm. No fishing is allowed during the hours of darkness and rods must be off the water no later than 1 hour after sunset and may not start fishing again until 1 hour before sunrise. Please would the last person to leave ensure that the hut is locked and shuttered and that the gates are closed behind you on the way out.
2. All fishing will be by fly only throughout the season.
3. Tweed regulations stipulate you must not use any line that sinks faster than 10 seconds/mtr or 4”/second.
4. Hooks/Flies: Maximum hook size permitted on the Beat is size 6.
5. Keeping fish: It is a Beat policy to encourage a healthy return of spawning stock. Please therefore release as many fish as possible, particularly the hens. However, each rod may if they wish, keep up to 2 fresh fish that he or she has caught per week, after which all fishing must be on a catch and release basis. All coloured or gravid fish must be returned. All nets must be of the knotless variety and no gaffs or tailers are permitted.
6. All fish caught (including those released) must be entered in the Record Book in the fishing hut.
7. Access: Please do not drive cars on the fields. There is good vehicle access all along the left bank using the Mill Lade track, which we have opened up. There is a car park for those fishing the Bridge Pool or the lower right bank, just by the bridge on the left bank. Those fishing the right bank can either cross the River on foot in low water or drive around by going over the bridge, then turning right and going approximately half a mile, parking on the right by the small plantation. (Please don’t block the farm gates).
8. Safety: All rods fishing the Beat are strongly recommended to wear a lifejacket and eye protection glasses and to use a wading staff. Fishing in remote areas and especially in cold conditions carries a higher than normal degree of risk. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically fit for this type of activity and that you inform us in writing if you have any condition we should be aware of in order to be able to minimize these risks and maximize your safety and enjoyment.
9. General: Rods are expected to behave and fish in a sporting manner and in accordance with these Rules and the Tweed Commissioners’ recommendations and regulations. Anyone considered by the Ghillie to be behaving in an unsporting manner or who does not comply with these Rules will be asked to leave and no refunds will be given.

Booking: Please note that your fishing is not reserved until we have confirmed your booking and receipted the payment in full. Payments are non-refundable. If for any reason you are unable to take up your fishing after payment, we will endeavor, but cannot guarantee, to re-let your rod(s) but will deduct a handling charge of £50 + VAT.