The Fishing

Fishing is over 1.3 miles on both banks, from the middle of the Quarry Pool at the top of the beat, to the tail of Braehead Pool. We have the fishing from opening day on 11th February until 30th September each year.

There is a fishing hut on the East bank at Cumberland - for the use of both members and visitors. A combination lock has been fitted, and the hut must be locked at all times when not occupied. Nothing should be left overnight in the hut. Combination locks with the same number have been fitted to other gates, and must be locked after entry and exit.

The width of the river varies from - easily covered, to very wide at the tail of the Cumberland Pool, where even Ian Gordon would struggle to put his line across.

It is all good fly water. Some pools fish best in low water, and some in higher water. Only a major spate would prevent a cast.

The river Spey is a fast and powerful river. Chest waders are a definite advantage in many instances, but inexperienced anglers are well advised to take extra care, and to avoid deep wading. In any case, fish are often closer to the bank than you think. In high water, the fish are usually hard against the bank. Wear a life jacket.

Until 2007, this was a private beat, very lightly fished, and 2006 was a beat record for the numbers of fish caught. Spring fishing has been slowly improving over the last few years, but is suffering from a lack of anglers.

The average size of spring salmon is around 8 or 9 lbs, but there have been a number of considerably bigger fish taken in recent years since the nets came off. Most years see fish over 20lbs.The grilse start to arrive in June and are usually in the 4 to 5lbs range. Seatrout start to arrive in ever increasing numbers from late April onwards.

Information on Pools from top down

The Quarry

Fish only from the white markers in line downstream. This pool will fish at all times of the year. Best fished from the east bank, but may be fished from the west bank, although access is more difficult. Will fish well down into the tail.

The Groynes and Upper Cumberland

A stretch of faster water was broken up by the introduction some years ago, of a series of groynes. This improved lies at the time, but spates have destroyed the groynes. Who knows what further spates will create here.

The Upper Cumberland is the narrower deeper and faster water in the area of the hut. This pool has been here before, and will continue to develop and alter with spates. Can be fished from both banks, although care should be taken when fishing from the high bank rocks. 

Cumberland Pool

The largest and most famous pool on the beat. So named, because the Duke of Cumberland's army waded across the Spey at this point on the way to Culloden - but this was before the Association had the fishing. Regardless of the height of the water, there will always be one part of this pool which will fish well, from one bank or the other.
Wading is possible all of the west bank, but only in lower water conditions in the tail on the east side, which we call the Greenbank. Fish will take well down in the tail. Probably the best pool to fish in high water.

The Snorkel

The Island stream has all but disappeared, leaving the lengthy Snorkel pool

The pool fishes well from the neck, all the way to the tail. It is not a deep pool and is lovely fly water.

In 2022 a new track was made to this pool, but is recommended only for 4 wheel drive vehicles.

The Pot and Upper Pot

Best fished from the east bank where wading is possible. The west bank fishes only from the high bank - no wading, and can be challenging. Fishable in all conditions other than very high water. A good pool with a strong flow. Fish well into the tail.

Above the Pot is a relatively short new pool called - Upper Pot. Best fished from the east bank. Will fish best in the summer during the grilse run. Can be difficult to access due to a large tree in the water. It will be interesting to see what happens when a spate moves this tree.

Braehead Pool

Can be fished from either bank -  the west bank is easiest to fish by wading. Spey casting is necessary from the east bank, with no wading until half way down the pool. Only anglers in reasonably fit condition should attempt this bank - wearing a life jacket.