River Eachaig Fishery Syndicate

River Eachaig Fishery Syndicate

River Eachaig Fishery Syndicate

River Eachaig Fishing Guide

May 2016

Welcome

Welcome to the river Eachaig. This short guide aims to set out the key information that you will need to fish the river. The Eachaig is a predominantly a sea trout river and good catches may be made when conditions are good. The sea trout is a sensitive creature and a demanding quarry. Our advice is to take as much trouble as possible to avoid displaying yourself to the fish: keep away from the river banks before fishing a pool and try to disturb the water as little as possible. The River Superintendent will be on hand to advise you on how to best approach the water.

The last Eachaig fishing guide was produced some thirty years ago. Season Eachaig fishers will notice a few alterations in the pools listings. Some historic errors and omissions from the original guide are corrected; 21a becomes the Island, Rashfield becomes the Pipe pool; the Scout Camp becomes Rashfield Farm and 25a becomes 'the ScoutCamp'. A couple of pools that were left off the original listing are reincluded : the Rabbit Warren and the Old Bridge Pool and we include two new ones: Macleans and Scott's Run.

Rods should also note that the Beat boundaries have been slightly changed with the inclusion of Wee Eachaig and Sea pool in Beat A and the inclusion of the Pipe pool (formerly Rashfield) in Beat C. We will review all these changes at the end of the year.

...Tight lines

Contents

A. Fishery Rules

B. Beat Rotation and Roster

C. Health and Safety

D. Parking points

E. Pool Guide

A. Fishery Rules

The following rules are issued by the Manager of the River Eachaig under the powers contained in the Management Agreement. The River Superintendent is there to assist anglers and ensure that these rules are observed for the benefit of the fishery.

1. Fishing is permitted from 12.00 midnight on Sunday night to 12.00 midnight on Saturday.

2. All rods are encouraged to attend the briefing by the River Superintendent held at 9am each Monday morning at the fishing hut.

3. The Eachaig is a fly only river and only in exceptional circumstances will the River Superintendent consider requests to relax this rule.

4. All salmon must be returned to the river including those that have accidently been killed. Rods are encouraged not to use treble hooks and to return fish carefully. When returning a fish, it should be held in the water facing upstream until it has recovered sufficiently to swim away.

5. We recommend the return of all sea trout bar those retained for personal consumption.

6. All catches must be entered into the catch return book in the fishing hut or communicated to the River Superintendent. Ideally this should be done at the end of the day of catch. Please make sure that all the requested information in the catch return book is fully and accurately filled in.

7. The river fished will be fished in accordance with the Beat Rotation set out in section B. and anglers should familiarise themselves with this before starting to fish. Rods must act in a respectful way towards fellow anglers sharing the same beat. Rods sharing a beat are encouraged to decide in advance of fishing how the water is going to be allocated between them.

8. All rods are required to read and adhere to the Healthy and Safety guidance set out in section C.

9. Anglers must use established paths for accessing pools and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

Any issues arising from the above should be drawn to the attention of:

Colin Scott (River Superintendent) Mob: 07557 128457

Robert Younger (Fishery Manager) Mob: 07791370837 Tel: 0131 556 4462

E-mail:

B. Beat Rotation System

The river Eachaig runs from its source at the outflow of Loch Eck to where it joins the Holy loch some 4 miles or so downstream. The fishing is all double bank over 40 named pools (see section E) and the fishing is organised on a beat system as set out below.

The Fishing Beats

During Weeks 1 to 4 the river is divided into two beats:

• Beat A comprises the upper half of the river from Still Pool (1) to Ballochyle (17) together with the Wee Eachaig (39) and the Sea Pool (40)
• Beat B comprises the lower half of the river from the Hut (18) to the Cothouse (38)

During Weeks 5 - 23 the river is divided into three beats.

The river is divided into three beats which are fished in rotation:

• Beat A comprises the upper third of the river from the Still Pool (1) to the Deer Park(13) together with the Wee Eachaig (39) and the Sea pool (40)
• Beat B comprises the middle third of the river from Massan Junction (14) to the Old Bridge Pool (25)
• Beat C comprises the lower third of the river from the Pipe pool (26) to the Cothouse (38)

Fishing Groups

Anglers are divided into two Fishing Groups in weeks 1 to 4 and three Fishing Groups in weeks 5 to 23. You need to know which Fishing Group you belong to establish on which Beat you are fishing at any time. To find out which Fishing Group you belong to please consult the online Fishing Roster on the Eachaig Syndicate section of the Fyne and Cowal Wild Fishing Website ( If you are not a syndicate member or do have access to the internet then ask the River Superintendent .

Beat rotation

Each Fishing Group fishes the river in accordance with the Beat allocation on the Fishing Roster shown opposite. Every 12 hours each Fishing Group moves Beat; moves occur at 3.00am and 3.00pm each day during Summer fishing, and at 12.am and 12 midday during Autumn fishing. Autumn fishing commences during the first fishing week commencing in early September.

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Daytime fishing commences 3.00 am and finishes 3.00pm

Night time fishing commences 3.00pm and finishes 3.00am

* Fishing commences 12 midnight on Sunday and ends 3.00am on Monday

** Fishing commences 3.00 pm on Saturday and finishes 12 midnight

Daytime fishing commences 3.00 am and finishes 3.00pm

Night time fishing commences 3.00pm and finishes 3.00am

* Fishing commences 12 midnight on Sunday and ends 3.00am on Monday

** Fishing commences 3.00 pm on Saturday and finishes 12 midnight

C. Health & Safety

Please read this carefully before starting to fish on the river Eachaig.

1. A river and its banks can house natural hazards for the unwary, where due to weather and nature paths may become slippery or uneven due to the proximity of tree roots and/or fallen branches may pose a risk.. Care should be taken at all times, proper footwear should be worn, do not carry unwieldy or unnecessary gear when negotiating the riverbanks. If crossing stiles or gates your equipment should be unloaded and set over the obstacle first; you should then cross with both hands free.

2. Wading in the river is potentially hazardous and anglers should be aware of changes in water speed, the movement of the tide and the pool depth. When wading, look out for natural obstructions such as stones, boulders or dips on the riverbed or floating debris that could cause you to lose your footing. Entry and exit of the river should only be made a recognised entry and exit points where you have assessed that you can do so safely; if in doubt don't.

3. All anglers should wear appropriate lifejackets/buoyancy aids when fishing or in the proximity of the river whether high or low water conditions exist. If wading in the river you are advised to make use of a wading stick; a whistle should also be carried to help attract attention in an emergency. At night you should have a torch with you to illuminate the path. We would also advise the carrying of a mobile phone although you should be aware that signal can be a problem at times.

5. Anglers and their companions are advised to wear safety glasses while casting or in close proximity to someone casting.

6. There are several High Voltage Power lines in the River Eachaig Area, including lines crossing the river at the Oak Tree Pool, Upper Benmore and Rashfield Island. Never carry your rod upright under power lines (the current can arc across your rod without the need for the rod to physically touch the lines. Always keep your rod low/horizontal.

7. Tell your companions or the River Superintendent where you will be fishing during your session on the river.

8. Property left at the hut is left at the risk of the owner.

9. If using the Dunoon & District Angling Club boats on Loch Eck please where the lifejackets provided when using the boats.

10. There is an accident and emergency facility at Dunoon Hospital.

Emergency Numbers: Police 01369 763 055; River Superintendent 07557 128457

D. Angler Parking Points

P1 Benmore Farm Lay-by. Heading north on the A815 turn left into the Benmore Botanic Garden. Drive through the car park, cross the bridge then turn right. Follow the road round for a mile or so until you see Benmore farm down on your right; drive on 100m and park in the lay-by. Access to Still Pool and Inverchapel Burn.

P2 Red Railcar. Headingnorth on the A815 about 100m north of the entrance to the Benmore Botanics you will see a young wood to your left. Turn left into the entrance by a decaying red railway carriage and park. Follow the path down to the river. Access to the Steamboat and Oak Tree (L) and the Inverchapel Bend.

P3 Benmore Sawmill. Heading north on the A815 turn left into the Benmore Botanic Garden car park entrance. Drive through the car park, cross the bridge then turn right. Drive upstream along the road running parallel with river and park the car where the road turns sharply left away from the river. Ensure that your car is not blocking any access roads. Access to Lower Steamboat and Kennels.

P4 Uig Hall. Heading north from Cothouse bridge on the A815 turn left to Uig and park by the village hall. Access to the Cauld, Benmore, Ford, Ashtree and Deerpark.

P5 Massan Bridge. Heading south from Cothouse bridge on the A815 after 200m turn take right hand turn into Glen Massan just after Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park sign. Follow road for two miles until you cross the river Massan Bridge. Park just past the Bridge on the right and follow the path towards the river where you will find an iron bridge. Access to Deer Park, Massan Junction, Red Scar, McMullens and Ballochyle.

P6 Ballochyle lay-by. Heading south from Cothouse bridge on the A815 after 200m turn take right hand turn into Glen Massan just after Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park sign. Drive along the road for a mile and a half or so and park in the lay-by on the right when the river is first sighted. This is the Ballochyle Bend. Access to Hut, Wall and Fail-me-never and the Wood

P7 Rashfield Farm. Heading north from Cothouse bridge on the A815 after about one mile turn left into entrance to Rashfield Farm. Follow road round till you face farm and turn sharply right down the short slope into the fenced anglers car park. Access downstream to Invereck and Lamonts and upstream to Rashfield Island and the Rabbit Warren.

P8 Cothouse Lay-by. Heading North from Cothouse bridge on A815 take the Kilmun turning to the right just past the bridge and park in the lay-by on your left adjacent to the Cothouse pool. Access to Cothouse, Bathing Pool, Bells and the Barrel.

P9 Fishing Hut. Heading North from Cothouse bridge on A815 take the Kilmun turning to the right just past the bridge. Follow the road for half a mile and turn right down small track to the right of the green corrugated iron fishing hut. Access for Wee Eachaig and Sea pool.

E. River Eachaig Pool Guide

(R) fishes from right bank (L) fishes from left bank (H) fishes in a high water (t) tidal

1. Still Pool (P1) (R) (H) Walk across field to reach pool.

2. Inverchapel Burn (P1or2) (R/L) (H) Pool is directly below Still pool.

3. Rough Water Pool (P2) Walk upstream from Oak Tree for 100m

4. Oak Tree (P2) (L) From P2 walk upstream for 150m to where a power line crosses the river.

5. Steamboat (P2) (L) From P2 follow path down to the river or alternatively by wading from above the neck of Little Steamboat and walking upstream on the left bank.

6. Little Steamboat (P3) (R) Walk to the Kennels and the pool is immediately above

7. Kennels (P3) (R) Walk down vehicle track towards river for 5m then head left into woodland along marked track to river bank. Pool immediately in front.

8. Ashtree (P4) (R) From iron footbridge walk upstream along the right bank for 250m. Ashtree pool is located 100m below the Benmore road bridge.

9. Upper Benmore (P4) (L) (H) Cross the metal stile on the left bank by the iron footbridge and walk upstream to top end of the field. Beware of overhead power cables.

10. Benmore (P4) (L) Cross the metal stile on the left bank by the iron footbridge and walk up the line of the river to a clump of gorse bushes. Cross the stile and walk up to the head of the pool.

11. The Caul (P4) (L) Cross the metal stile on the left bank by the iron footbridge and the pool is on your left as you walk up the field. May be fished from either bank.

12. Ford (P4) (R) Cross the iron bridge. Pool immediately below. Fish well down the pool at night.

13. Deer Park (P4) (L) Walk down left bank from iron bridge for 50m to reach pool located on river bend.

14. Massan Junction (P5) (R) Follow path towards river. Following opening in railings to the right just before the iron bridge down to the river.

15. Red Scar (P5) (L) Cross the iron bridge to the left bank and walk downstream along the path. You will see a pole marking the start of the pool. Good holding pool for sea trout waiting to run the Massan.

16. McMullens (P5) (L) (H) Carry on down the left bank for 200m or so from Red Scar. Enter water via ladder.

17. Ballochyle (P6) (L) Walk down from McMullens. From the pool neck below McMullens there is continuous fishing round the river bend.

18. Hut (P6) (R) (H) Walk down track 30m. Pool is on bend of the river; confusingly there is no longer a Hut.

19. Wall (P6) (R) Immediately downstream of the Hut

20. Fail-me-never (P6) (R) Walk downstream from the Wall for 50m or so.

21. Rabbit Warren (P7) (L) Follow the river fenceline 200m upstream from the Island. Pool fishable from a shingle beach.

22. Island (formerly 21a) (P7) (L) Cross the field towards the pipe bridge and head upstream on the left bank past the footings of the old bridge. Cross the stile and walk up for 200m. Just past a clearing, walk up the fence line for 20m to the head of the pool. Be aware of the overhead power line which crosses the pool.

23. TheWood (P7) (R) Cross the Pipe bridge and walk upstream for 200m or so. A Good holding pool for sea trout. Pool can also be accessed by following the track along the right bank downstream from the Wall and Fail-me-never.

24. The Rock (P7) (R) Located just downstream of Wood Pool.

25. Old Bridge Pool (P7) (R) Cross the Pipe bridge onto the right bank and walk up stream 20m and cross stile just before footings of old bridge. Fish from gravel bank into deep channel running along left bank.

26. The Pipe (formerly Rashfield) (P7) (L)

From Pk7 walk across field to the pipe bridge. Start fishing just below embedded tree stump.

27. Rashfield Farm (formerly Scout Camp) (P7) (R)

Cross the Pipe (or wade the tail of the Pipe Pool) and walkdown right bank for 50m

28. Macleans (P7) (L) Walk 100m down left bank past Rashfield Farm. Deep pool formed from woody debris.

29. Scout Camp (formerly 25a) (P7) (L) (H) Walk down the left bank for 200m. Pool located at bottom of field just before the Invereck bend.

30. Invereck (P7) (L)

Walk down left bank 200m from Rashfield Farm and pool is located on river bend below the Scout Camp. Alternatively wade the river at the tail of Lamonts and walk up river to the Invereck Bend.