A quality environment

Due to constant management the riverbank is a very special place. Throughout the spring and summer there is an unending succession of wild flowers and other herbaceous plants.  Indeed, such is the quality of the natural environment that much of our bank has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  We have a couple of log cabin fishing huts, with fireplaces. They are lovely places for riverside picnics. 

Borrowston Beat

This beat was part of Kincardine Estate’s fishing since the 1880s. In 1982 it was transferred to my brothers and until 2005 was managed together with Kincardine Beat as one fishery. It has been sold and future management arrangements are likely to change and are unclear at the time of writing.  

Recent fishing on the Dee

In 1995, faced with a worrying decline in catches (a world-wide phenomenon), the Dee fishery managers initiated a dramatic action plan to protect stocks and aid their recovery. Catch-and-release was a first and obvious step followed by the buy-out of all the netting within the Dee Fishery District which was completed in 2000. In addition a continuous programme of habitat enhancement is protecting an increasing length of tributaries from damage from livestock and results are being measured already. (see the latest reports on management action by reading the newsletter and annual report on the Dee fishery website http://www.dsfia.org/ ). 

The first fruits of the catch-and-release exercise, which continues, were expected in 2001. In 2001 and then again in 2004 the Kincardine Beat catch of salmon was the best since 1988. Our 5-year average, which dropped as low as 64 salmon in 2000 has recovered to over 120 salmon per annum – an 88% improvement. The sea-trout catch in 2004 was the best since 1980. In that it takes some 6 years for the offspring of a released salmon to return to the Dee it is still early days in our efforts to restore the Dee's fishing. Nevertheless the Dee remains Scotland's greatest spring salmon river. I have every expectation that this recovery will continue.

We do expect fishers to observe catch-and-release - since the start of 2000 we have killed only 5 salmon out of a catch of more than 660. Such a good performance is being emulated up and down the Dee and we are grateful for the co-operation of all those who are helping restore the Dee's salmon run. There is much to do and, with a large part of the salmon life-cycle being at sea and outwith our influence, the future does remain 'in the lap of the Gods'. Nevertheless we are proud to say that the Dee's anglers and fishery managers are playing their part to the full.  

Lettings and Availability

Like most beats we have many 'regulars' who return to fish here annually at the same time each year. We start the procedure for letting the next season immediately the previous one closes. By mid-November we have a pretty clear idea of the regular tenants' requirements and can start filling in any gaps. If you are not one of our regular fishing tenants it is helpful if you could let us know when you want to fish and how many rods. The greater the flexibility you can give us the greater chance we have of being able to fit you in. It is also useful to have details of your fishing experience including what rivers you and your party have fished on previously.

By mid November we can start putting our available fishing on to our websites where, if you want, you can book on-line, alternatively contact us.

Availability / on-line booking:   Kincardine Beat = http://www.fishdee.co.uk/borrowston