Angus Angling
Angus offers challenging and satisfying angling on rivers and lochs, and on the sea and shore. Two of its major assets are the Rivers North and South Esk, which run from their rising in the hills through the county to the sea, and provide opportunities for anglers of most abilities, from spring to autumn.Enjoy the North Esk for superb salmon fishing, although spring runs may be better on the South Esk. In the right conditions there is great sport to be had on the North Esk, which is formed by the Water of Mark and the Lee.
It meanders thirty-five miles before entering the sea three miles north of Montrose.
The North Esk rises at Loch Lee and enters the sea three miles north of Montrose on Scotland's east coast. Although smaller than its neighbours the Dee and the Tay, it is a first class salmon and sea trout River, with many anglers returning year after year to fish it. The Burn Fishing on the North Esk is administered by the Burn House, a holiday and study centre for students and graduates, where accommodation may occasionally be available. Fishing is let weekly, for up to 3 rods. North Esk salmon season: 16 Feb - 31 October
From its source in the Grampian Mountains, the South Esk runs some forty-nine miles through Glen Doll and Clova onwards, wending its way through the beautiful scenery of the Vale of Strathmore, through Brechin, to Montrose Basin and the sea. Fish the South Esk for sea trout in the summer. In the right weather, the River's salmon runs are good in the spring and excellent in the autumn.
Shore fishing
Experience shore fishing in Angus from stunning beaches, amongst spectacular cliff scenery or by charter boat. Angus is a microcosm of Scotland's East coast shore fishing environment - rugged rocky shelved coastline, with sandy beaches and coves. From June until mid August, catch flounder, dab and some plaice on the estuaries and beaches using worm bait, and codling and wrasse from the kelp grounds best caught using peeler crab. From August until November fish from Arbroath northward for cod, pollack and coalfish, and flounder. But the best time for catching cod, large flounder or school bass is November through until mid February along the whole of the East coast. Conditions: for biggest catches look for a strong easterly or northerly wind direction.
Tay Estuary - flounder & eels; Carnoustie to Easthaven - cod & flounder; Arbroath cliffs - cod & pollack; Lunan Bay - flounder & bass; Boddin to Ferryden - Cod; Montrose beach - flounder & dab; Johnshaven to Stonehaven - cod, wrasse, pollack, & coaly
Links
Go to www.fishesks.co.uk for the most comprehensive coverage of all aspects of fishing in Angus.
Also try http://spinfish.co.uk for the SpinFish Online Magazine and Fishing Finder Where to Fish Directory
River levels:http://www.sepa.org.uk/data/river_levels/data.htm
http://fish.visitscotland.com/
http://www.fishingnet.com/index.html
Tackle
Arbroath Cycle & Tackle Centre, 274 High Street Arbroath Angus DD11 1JE 01241 873467
Cobsport, 7 Castle Place, Montrose, Angus DD10 8AL 01674 673095
Montrose Guns & Tackle, 180 High Street, Montrose, Angus DD10 8PH 01674 672692
Fisheries
There are several really good trout fisheries in Angus some of which provide professional instruction, superb facilities, and a great introduction to angling:
Kingennie Fishings is home to some of Scotland's most famous trout and coarse fishing waters and provides excellent fishing for experts and beginners alike. Bait and fly-fishing is available on the four well-stocked pools. Kingennie Fishings hosted the National Coarse Fishing Championships in 2003. The coarse pond contains a variety of species including common carp, mirror carp, roach, rudd and bream. 
Created and owned by former Scottish National Fly Fishing Champion Mike Forbes, the complex at Kingennie includes a Country House with restaurant, and an angling equipment and gift shop. Accommodation, if required, is in luxury self-catering lodges, plus the Leannan Boathouse.
Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort offers fly fishing for brown & rainbow trout on 40 acres of loch and bank. The resort facilities include luxury self-catering lodge accommodation, restaurant, golf course and driving range, and conference facilities. There is also a children's fishing pool. Brown trout from March 15th - Oct 6th. Rainbow trout open all year round. Boat sessions: Day 9am - 4pm, Evening 5pm - dusk
Coarse fishing
Coarse fishing is the fastest expanding sector in Scotland - catching carp, pike, bream, chub, dace, eel, gudgeon, perch, roach, rudd & tench. Specialists like Kingennie offer coarse fishing facilities for carp, roach, rudd and bream. The headwaters of the River Isla contain grayling which is popular during the winter months.
There is no statutory closed season for coarse fish in Scotland but in waters that contain salmon or trout, coarse anglers are sometimes only allowed to fish during the season for those species. Conversely, some proprietors only allow coarse fishing during the closed season for the other species.
Help for anglers with disabilities/impairments
The Wheelyboat Trust www.wheelyboats.org
The national charity that promotes and supplies the wheelchair accessible fishing boat, the Wheelyboat. Wheelyboats provide disabled anglers with hassle-free and independent access to waters large and small.
British Disabled Angling Association www.bdaa.co.uk
Promotes the cause of coarse, sea and game fishing for disabled people in the UK. Coaching - specialised equipment - platforms - access - help and support.
Scottish Lame Ducks Tel: 01383 881476
Club run by disabled anglers for disabled anglers. Organises competitions and fun days. Members represent the club at all major Scottish angling competitions.
Robert Gibson Bevan Tel: 01673 858387
Designs and manufactures aids to assist anglers with arm and hand disabilities.
Incompleat Angler www.incompleatangler.com
A support and advice website for disabled anglers to share tips, recommendations, etc to encourage confidence and independent fishing experiences.
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