Tweed Salmon Fishings

It is extremely hard to give good all round advice that is fair to all, as everybody has different requirements. Also fishing at certain times of the year on the best beats is still in short supply and therefore you may never get exactly what you want, whatever money you offer and however long you wait.

However, having said that, there are one or two guide lines, which may help you to choose a reasonable beat, and which I give below. I hope they are a help to you and I am always willing to give impartial advice to anybody who telephones.

References to Upper Tweed relate to the water above Galashiels, Middle Tweed that from Galashiels down to Kelso, Lower Tweed that from Kelso to Tillmouth, and Bottom Tweed the water below Tillmouth.

The season is from February 1st to November 30th, so please forget December and January!
If you want to spin, you are legally restricted to the period from February 15th to September 14th, as at all other times only fly fishing is permitted. Effectively this will rule out the Upper Tweed, as only autumn fish arrive there in any numbers.
If you want to go for the big salmon & sea trout for which the Tweed is famous then you are really restricted to the main Autumn run. This may not start until mid September and well into October on the Upper Tweed.
Be aware of how difficult and expensive it is to get a good autumn week on Middle or Lower Tweed. You may have to sit on a waiting list before you can get a chance and then it may cost you up to £600+VAT per rod per day for the best weeks (although quite a few beats are still cheaper than this and it is slightly easier to find weeks than in previous years). On some beats such as Hendersyde, one way to avoid a lengthy waiting list is to take a spring week first.
Be aware of the usual pattern of runs on different parts of the Tweed. The Bottom Tweed beats are suitable most of the year round, the Lower Tweed does not normally fish well in June & July, but is much better in the spring and excellent in September, October & November. Middle Tweed is reasonable in the spring and excellent in October & November, and some beats fish well in the summer as well. Upper Tweed is a waste of time until the first flood in October (All this is subject to the weather being normal - not to be taken for granted!)
If you want good fishing at economic prices, take advantage of any unusual weather conditions and book at the last minute. Suggestions would be Middle & Lower Tweed immediately after a summer flood or Bottom Tweed in a dry November. If you have to book further ahead, the summer on Bottom Tweed, spring on Lower Tweed, or autumn on the Upper Tweed are the best buys.