CONDITIONS OF LET on the BOWHILL ESTATE

SEASON
The season begins on 1st February and ends on 30th November. The river is not fished on Sunday.

RENT
From 2nd February                 £25.00 + VAT  (£28.75)
From 31st August                   £50.00 + VAT  (£57.50)
From 28th September             £79.00 + VAT  (£90.85)
From 16th November              £60.00 + VAT  (£69.00)

PREFERRED METHOD OF CATCH
Fly fishing is the preferred method of catch although spinning may be practised between 15th February and 14th September.  It is illegal to use worms, prawns and shrimps as bait/lure or to use multiple hooks.

GAFFS
The use of gaffs is prohibited.

REMOVAL OF FISH
It is illegal to:
• Sell any fish caught before the 15th February or after 14th September even if months have elapsed and it has been stored by freezing or smoking.
• Kill Kelts, Smoults and Parr.
• Take unclean or unseasonable fish, which includes fish about to spawn or in the process of spawning.
• Buy or sell wild Salmon roe or to fish with any form of Salmon roe.
• Deliberately foul hook fish.
All gravid or stale fish must be returned to the river immediately with as little damage as possible.

FISHING BEATS
Fishermen must not move between beats except with the prior consent of the Ghillie.

PERMITS
Permits should be carried by Fishermen at all times while fishing. Vehicles parked at the roadside should display a vehicle permit.

ACCESS
Access and parking facilities are shown on a large scale plan which can be obtained from the Estate Office on request. Vehicles may not be driven across agricultural land. Fishermen must comply at all times with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

ASSIGNING OF RODS
Fishermen are permitted to assign their rods to other fishermen provided that the Estate Office is informed in advance.
N.B. Payment for the fishings remains the responsibility of the original fisherman.

CATCH LIMITS
Fishermen are not permitted to kill more than 3 Salmon (including Grilse) and 6 Sea Trout per day. Thereafter all fish should be returned as quickly as possible with a minimum of handling. It is strictly prohibited to take, destroy or injure smoult and fry of salmon.

GHILLIES
The Estate employs a full-time Ghillie who is on hand to answer any queries or offer advice on the beats. If a fisherman is unfamiliar with the river and wishes to be shown the pools he should contact the Estate Office at least two weeks in advance to organise this.

RETURN OF CAUGHT FISH
Fishermen must record all fish caught (including nil returns) on the back of the fishing permit and return this to the Estate Office within 2 weeks of the let at the latest. It is a statutory requirement to record accurate returns of all fish caught.

DOGS
Dogs are not permitted to accompany fishermen without the consent of the Estate Office and only then if they are kept under close control at all times.

GYRODACTYLUS SALARIS
In an effort to prevent the introduction of the Gyrodactylus Salaris parasite to the river system all fishermen are required to thoroughly clean and treat tackle, waders and other fishing equipment, in accordance with Scottish Executive guidelines, before taking access to the river. A Certificate of Confirmation to this effect will be required to be signed by all fishermen prior to fishing. An information leaflet can be obtained from the Bowhill Estate Office or:
SEERAD, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TW. TEL: 0131 244 6225. WEB: www.scotland.gov.uk
DEFRA, Fisheries Division II A, Room 106, Whitehill Place East, London. SW1A 2HH. TEL: 020 7270 8826. WEB: www.defra.gov.uk
Welsh Assembly Government Agriculture and Fishers, Policy Division 2, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ. TEL: 02920 823567.

For availability and booking, contact Ann McGregor on Tel. 01750 20753, email amcgregor@buccleuch.com or use the Contact Us form.  Online bookings can be made through Fish Tweed.

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