Lanrick Estate Fishing – River Teith.
Season
1st February – 31st October
Permit
Day or Week, individual or group bookings
River Levels
With the right planning, or luck, you will arrive on gently rising water and ideally anything around 12-18″ on the beat’s gauge and clear/clearing. The river is loch fed, however some tributaries will colour the river for a short time only, so perceiver, all is not lost. Every pool fishes exceptionally well at this height, but anywhere is great in any height again if the fish are running. For up to date river levels please click the button below, this link shows the current river level for Bridge of Teith in Doune, which is just downstream from Lanrick – no major tributaries besides the smaller Annet Burn at Buchany enter between the beat and this gauge. The optimum height for this beat is anywhere near 0.7m-1m on the graph. Seatrout will creep through the beat at any height.
General access to beat
From the Teith Bridge at Doune, take the B8032 Deanston turnoff and keep left at the fork. Drive for 1.9 miles passing a large gate lodge on your right (no access). You will go through a tight right bend on a crossroads with another gate lodge, take this right turn via the gate lodge. Drive down the road, passing a house on your left, and turn left at the T junction on the river. Pass the entrance to the bridge – Parking and the main hut are on your right.
Notes
Mostly easy to moderate wading. Felt soles and a wading staff are recommended for slippery rocks.
The Beats
There are many gems in the country to throw a fly line for Salmon and Seatrout. Amongst the very best is the stunning Lanrick Estate. It is a beat reputed over the years as one of the most productive beats in Central Scotland. History tells a lovely story for the estate, however “today” is what the angler is interested in first and foremost, and we at Angling Active want to shout about this well managed and exciting fishery. Get the conditions right and you’re in for a treat with exquisite fly water including holding water, runs and the a temperature barrier in the form of a weir that abstracts water to power Deanston Distillery.
There are two beats on the estate, Upper and Lower, both are available for day or week bookings, for single rods or groups – advanced bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment. The two beats couldn’t be more different with great water for most river levels. Click to enlarge maps.
Upper Lanrick Beat – South bank only.
-
- Upper Lanrick Beat
-
- Upper beat features
Access
Access to this beat is via the estate road, follow the road upstream past the fishing hut. There is a left hand signpost to the “Keepers Cottage”, continue past this then take the next right turn. When the road forks keep right. This takes you down to a carpark area. The upper beat hut is just down stream from here. The Upper beat fishing is upstream from here, NOT inclusive of the Laundry pool at the hut.
The road is well managed with only a few bumps. Most non-4×4 cars will manage.
Boundaries
The upper boundary of the upper beat starts near the top of the pool called the Johnny Cairns. The beat terminates at the tail of The Pulpit.
Hut
There is a small summer house type hut set back from the Laundry pool(not Upper beat water). The hut is for Upper Beat angler use. The setting is absolutely stunning for anglers and their families to meet for lunch. No facilities are provided here except for a turning circle and parking.
Details
x2 rods are offered. The Upper beat is the better value for money beat, pure and simple. This is not to say it is a lesser beat, in fact it boasts some of the prettiest pools on the river that can produce fish when they are running. The main differences between the Upper and Lower beats are that the Upper beat has less holding water and is a little faster, great for Spring and Summer fishing. Don’t forget the seatrout fishing here is top notch. There is a very large stretch of holding water called the Drumvaich Pool which is the jewel in the beat.
Pools
Johnny Cairns Pool at the top of the beat
Johnny Cairns – A stunning pool at the top of the beat that starts as a run-off stream flows into the river. Pine trees on the far bank tower over the pool and the water is black with deep pockets sporadically scattered throughout. The tail is shallow apart from a pocket on your bank (right) right at the bottom. A great mid-high water pool.
The Fir Tree – A small pool lined by large deciduous trees. Always give it a cast on the way through.
Drumvaich Pool
Drumvaich (aka The Plasterers) – A stunning long sweeping bend of some 150-200m, more in higher water. You are on the inside of the bend and casting out over endless turbulent pockets of deep water all carried by a continuous flow. The head of the pool has more structure on the riverbed and then as it tails it slows and is ideal for holding resident fish that will slow running fish that have battled through the long straight of around half a mile below. This pool is a must in all levels up to 1m. From 1m in height you are restricted to the bank and shorter casts.
Shaemaker – No info.
School Pool – No info.
The Well and The School in the background in spate
The Well – An interesting pool where the current shifts from the far bank to your side. In water up to 0.8 this is ideal to hang the rod over the rapid and fish the eye pocket at the top.
Coblers – No info.
The Fidlair – No info.
The Pulpit – Bottom of the Upper beat.
Opposite Bank
It is important to note that most of the opposite bank (North bank) of the Upper beat is operated by another fishery, please respect other anglers and communicate your intentions. There is no fishing on the North bank of the Upper Beat for anglers on a Lanrick permit.
Lower Lanrick Beat
-
- Lower Lanrick Beat
-
- Lower beat features
For fishing on one of the most exclusive beats in Scotland, the Lower Lanrick Beat has it all.
Access
Access to the Lower Beat is via foot from the main hut and easy drive for downstream. Follow the estate road downstream for 20-30 meters from the hut, go over the bridge and take the right fork to access the Dam and The Pool passing a walled garden and keeping right until the road terminates in a small turning circle. OR stay on the South bank for the remaining pools. There is a lay-by just as the road comes away from the river, park here for Garden, Doctors and Gravelbank. You can also access Gravelbank and Sandy’s by continuing down the road and take the next gate in the fence and drive up and over the paddock and down to a style (dry conditions only, be wary of livestock, and no access during lambing season). The Gravelbank pool is immediately in front of you.
Boundaries
The upper boundary of the lower beat starts at the top of the pool called The Laundry. The lower beat terminates at the tail of “The Pool: North Bank”.
Hut
There is a large, modern and fully equipped 270 degree view hut just above the bridge at Castle Flats. The setting is absolutely stunning for anglers and their families to meet for lunch. Facilities include parking, lighting, wood burning stove and kettle. There is a WC set back from the hut 50m up and over the lawn nestled in the trees. Catches are reported in the log book here.
There is also a small summer house type hut set back from the Laundry pool. This is usually reserved for the Upper Lanrick beat. The setting is absolutely stunning for anglers and their families to meet for lunch. No facilities are provided here except for a turning circle and parking.
Details
The Lower beat is the more expensive beat and offers x4 rods throughout the season, gradually becoming its most expensive in the Autumn. The reason for the lower beat being more expensive in comparison, is the quantity of fish caught here year after year which in turn affects the availability. The holding water of the main pools from Gravelbank and below hold good numbers of resting fish in Spring and Summer stopped by resident fish, and in the Autumn these pools can hold several resident fish. The remaining faster pools upstream from Gravelbank are great for running fish, or grilse in the Summer months sitting in the oxygenated runs.
Pools
Looking up the Laundry Pool
The Laundry – Arriving into the pool, simply start fishing at the foot of the provided ladder. A short line and stealth may provide a grilse or seatrout in the neck of the pool. As you move downstream under huge arcing branches, lengthen your line to cover the deep slow lie at the mid to tail of the pool. If fish are running, they regularly show in the tail of this pool often anywhere from left to right bank. Anglers from the opposite beat may be fishing opposite bank.
The Gean Tree – Anglers from opposite beat may be fishing opposite bank.
Castle Flats – One of the most pleasant pools on the entire river. Easy wading up to your knees in optimum heights. Enter at the top of the cut grass under the power lines. The neck of this pool can hold grilse so enter with stealth. Wade until you are comfortably dropping a well presented fly inches from the foliage on the far bank. The fly needs to land and be fishing almost immediately because the fish hug the far bank. As you wade down you will reach a large submerged rock at your feet, from here wade in a direct line toward the hut or bench because as the pool slows it also deepens on your side and you want your fly to come all the way round to the dangle. Fish the pool right through until your fly is being sucked down into the next rapid and across into the calm water at the tail.
Wee Pool & Run Below – A tricky bit of water. At the top there is a calm section in the middle that is always worth fishing, especially in good water. Start in above the croy and hold your rod high to slow the line from dragging into the rapids. A heavy fly works best here. The run in below is best fished in water that is not high, nor too low. A fast bend with slabs of rock that crease to create a concentrated lie all the way down. The further down the pool until nearing the bridge, cast as long a line as possible and upstream mend.
The Trawse – Best fished from the North bank, however both banks are available depending on water levels.
Plum Jardine – Best fished from the North bank, however both banks are available depending on water levels.
The Garden Pool – Fished from the South Bank, quite obvious pocket water in the tail. Great grilse water.
Beefys Pool – Fished from the South Bank, quite obvious pocket water in the tail. Great grilse water. Very slippery slabs.
The Doctors Pool – A small pocket of water at the far side and tail will hold grilse and running fish. Very slippery slabs.
Access to the Gravelbank via the style
Gravelbank – A beautiful run starting just below a seat and rod rest. This pool is as traditional as any salmon pool can be. Slip down into the pool and just paddle to begin with. The top of the pool is faster with streamy oxygenated water ideal for grilse and running fish, or in warm Summer conditions. As you move gently down, cast a 70 degree line to the far bank and upstream mend, vary this regularly. The far side is the main run and holding water all the way down until you see the current shifts to your bank near the bottom of the pool. The river bed suddenly shelves at the very bottom where you cannot wade any further. You will wade a maximum of shin to knee depth and it is easy wading too. In the evenings, seatrout will show in the bottom of this pool and work their way upstream to just under the tails of white water at the neck. Being quiet on the gravel banking can be a challenge.
Taken from the Dam, opposite the boulder
The Dam – This is one of the most productive pools, accessed and fished from the North bank. Park in the small turning circle and walk down to the river. The bench is placed just below the main taking spot which is precisely opposite the large boulder on the far bank. Enter the pool way upstream at the top of the cut grass, where you will see boulders just off your bank in a line. You can wade safely here in moderate water. Cast a good long line into the trees at the far bank, upstream mend and if the water is moving slowly, retrieve very slowly to just offer a little movement in the fly. This pool is particularly deep at the far side with a rock face sloping straight into the water, use sink tips and heavier flies to get down. The pool is glassy and slow, so try to avoid false casts and bright coloured clothing. Get your casting right before you get near the boulder on the far bank, presentation is everything here. The lie extends from just above to below the boulder until you cannot cast due to a large overhanging branch. Depending on water levels, you can fish this pool for another 20-30m until the swing stops near the end of the cut grass.
Sandy’s Pool (aka. Below The Dam) – Fished from the South bank and accessed via Gravelbank. A short line to start with, the inside of the bend can be good in higher water. Once covered, try again with a longer line into the trees on the far side. There are logs under the surface here so keep the fly moving. Lower water may dictate a mid length casting.
Deanston Weir – The Pool from the North Bank.
The Pool: South Bank – No information
The Pool: North Bank – Walk down from the car at The Dam pool along the path. You will see the weir and the fish ladder from here. Keep walking and avoid the ladder that has been put in historically. At the turning circle at the end of the track you will be met with a wooden banister to help you down to the river. This pool has to be read carefully and can be very dangerous if not respected. Only fish this pool in low to medium flow. The wading is fairly safe on flat slabs (can be slippery) until you get nearer the main flow it suddenly shelves off into very deep water with strong undercurrents. The tail is very fishy in medium flow, but again be very careful of the drop-offs. It is advised not to fish this pool in low light unless you know it intimately. There is a back-eddie on your side of the main current at the top, this can hold fish and is worth a cast with a slowly retrieved sunray or a heavy PBP/conehead. As the eddie disperses and the current all flows downstream, fish a short line with a sink tip right into the edge of the shelf and lengthen every cast until you are covering the main current and into the slow water on the far side. The swing will bring the fly to a cut-out in the rock-bed below you at the tail where fish sit on a (green’ish) boulder just in front of the croy like feature. With careful wading, you can fish this obstacle right through into the next small pool which is at the top of the island. Many “very” large fish have been hooked in this particular pool over the years.
A small seatrout that fought like fury.
Lanrick Seatrout Fishing
Both the Upper and Lower Lanrick beats are excellent seatrout beats. Occasionally, seatrout will take during the day, but the evenings can be fantastic. Evening seatrout fishing is booked via the estate office.
