Auchessan Estate East of the BridgeAuchlyne Burn Mouth

The information on the available access to beats is provided in detail at local permit sale points. The Tay System separates easily in definable sections. Within each is an angling club, the secretary or TLC representative of which, will be able to provide further information. It is important for visitors to realise that there are also estates which administer their own fishing under the Order, as well as other beats which are under the permit scheme of local angling clubs.
Visitors should be aware that on many of the upper sections of the system, a permit can allow fishing on many beats over quite large lengths of both loch and river bank. Further down stream, some of the beats are smaller and require individual permits.
The maps are designed to show beats covered by angling club permits as well as beats which issue individual permits, and both these, and reference to details on the clubs and individual riparian owners section should provide answers to any questions.
This section gives a broad guide to the nature of the fishing available and, where available, a link to specific beat web sites.

The River Cononish

The river above the road bridge between Tyndrum and Crianlarich is over grown in some places and can only be accessed by wading. Above the Falls there is more accessible access but anglers should be aware of steeper bankings the further up stream you venture. Approximately a mile and a half above the road bridge, the river becomes very shallow with few pools or fishable sections. Anglers should note that the river is a natural spawning area for trout and salmon and are asked to take care in returning all small fish, and all fish in spawning condition. Parking is sometimes not very close to the roads and care should be taken not to block any of the routes.

The River Fillan

The River Fillan flows from the Holy Pool at Auchtertyre to Loch Dochart at Crianlarich. The river is not very wide and there well defined pools with some great long running ripples between, all of which hold good Brown Trout. In some places the banks are steep due to old flood protection barriers and special care must be taken as the water is fairly deep along parts of these sections. Also there is erosion where the bank is under cut and great care must be exercised. There are clearly defined paths to follow and access points are marked on permits, special care must be taken if crossing the railway line at Inverhaggernie. Parking must be clear of all farm roads and entrances, and anglers must be aware of livestock along the banks and in adjacent fields.
The river bed is of various sizes of gravel and the water is very clear which makes is quite difficult to approach with out disturbing fish, but this is the attraction of this great river. Near Crianlarich the river banks are steep and the river changes to canal type water. The last section as the river enters Loch Dochart is through rather marshy ground and care should be taken.
Short lines with either a team of wet or a single dry fly will be the easiest and most productive method of fishing.
The entire length of the River Fillan is a natural spawning area for trout and salmon and great care must be exercised in returning all fish in spawing mode and small sized fish.

Lochs Dochart & Iubhair

Loch Dochart is fairly shallow but it is heavily weed infested and it is quite a challenge to attract fish and play them without getting tangled in surface weed. Boats are available for hire locally as bank fishing is almost impossible.
Loch Iubhair is shallow on the road side and deepens towards the far shore. Wading is safe along the south shore and from the parking area at the east end. As the loch narrows and reaches the outlet to the River Dochart, there are bays and inlets which are fished from boats and only in a few places can these be safely fished from the bank.
Loch Dochart Estate, Suie Estate and Crianlarich Angling Club permits issue permits for Loch Iubhair and care must be taken in fishing the areas noted on each permit. Both lochs hold a good head of Brown Trout, and there are Perch in the narrows between the two lochs and around the weed beds.

The River Dochart

The River Dochart is typical of an upland river which is prone to spate conditions with a fairly fast run off. There are a number of recognised pools spread throughout it's length, inter spaced with deep runs, canal type water and rapids with back waters and runs.
Brown Trout are wide spread and guidance can be given from sale points as to the better beats, depending on the water height.
Care should be taken when wading as there are deep pools which can be deceiving. Most of the banks are free from undergrowth, and where not the river can in most places be easily waded.
Permits are available from Crianlarich Angling Club at the west end, Suie and Auchlyne Estate in the middle north and south beats with Leskin Estate on the south bank above Lix Toll, and Killin Breadalbane Angling Club at the eastern part of the river outside the village, and below the railway viaduct.
Evenings are most productive with both wet and dry fly producing results.

The River Lochay

The River Lochay is subject to fluctuations in water levels which are the result of the generation of electricity at the Lochay Power Station. Anglers must be aware of rising water levels when fishing below the power station bridge. The mid and upper sections can also be effected with rising water if sudden rain causes the level in the Glen Lyon Dam to reach a critical level. When this happens the valve on the pipe line carrying water to Glen Lyon will be opened resulting in a sharp rise in the water level.
The River comes under the permits issued by the Killin Breadalbane Angling Club and all anglers must be aware of exclusion zones which are clearly sign posted.
The banks are fairly over grown but with care access can be achieved and the rewards can be good.

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