Salmon Fishing River Doon Scotland
O. S. Map 70
Loch Doon at the
head of the river benefits the salmon fishing on the Doon by
providing a compensation flow of water in times of summer drought, a
benefit not available to the other Ayrshire rivers. Bonnie Doon,
immortalised in the poems of Robert Burns, is an attractive and
productive salmon river flowing 23 miles from the Galloway hills to
its outfall just south of the town of Ayr.
In
addition to the compensation water from Loch Doon, the river relies on
rainfall to give of its best in terms of salmon sport. Before the dam
was built on Loch Doon, the river had a reasonable spring run of salmon.
Since then, the spring run has declined. The best of the fishing is now
in September and October, with earlier months producing fish given
adequate rainfall. The work of the River Doon Angling Improvement
Association has proved effective in maintaining salmon stocks in recent
years and the river enjoying catches in the region of 1500 salmon a
year, taken on some excellent fly fishing beats such as Doonfoot, Smithson and Skeldon. Access to the best beats is restricted, being privately let or
syndicated. Fishing is sometimes available to visiting anglers on a day
ticket basis, particularly on the water controlled by the local angling
clubs. At the top of the river, the Drumgrange and Keirs Angling Club
offers day permits for their beat, which is highly productive in
September and October.
Angling Clubs and Associations
Drumgrange and Keirs Angling Club
Mr T McClure, 17 Riecawr Ave,
Dalmellington tel: 01292551390
Patna Angling Club
Mrs Sheila Campbell,
Parson's Lodge, Patna.
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