New website for Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh and River & Green

Fantastic news! Our relationship with Hilton Hotels goes from strength to strength. Their brand new, greatly improved website has gone live and River & Green features very prominently.

What’s really exciting about the new site is that it incorporates our own “drop-down” questionnaire; so now, clients booking with the Caledonian can, at the same time, tell us exactly what sort of sporting program they would like. Whereas before, the only exposure hotel clients had to our vacations was through the Sporting Breaks Packages, now they have direct access to our tailor-made service.

I think that this is a major step forward for River & Green. Not only is it a resounding endorsement of the strength and mutual benefit of our relationship, but it also gives us a brand association with one of the most prestigious names in the entire global travel and hospitality sector.

Please check out the new Caledonian Hilton site and let us know what you think?

Explaining the cost of salmon fishing in Scotland

In Scotland, all of the salmon fishing rivers are privately owned. This circumstance relates directly to the feudal history of land ownership in Scotland, going back over the centuries. The rivers are all divided up into sections of varying length, according to ownership. Each part of the river is referred to as a "beat". The capital value of each beat, and therefore the cost per day to fish each beat, is loosely determined by the 10-year average number of fish that are caught. Consequently, the beats which historically produce the greatest numbers of salmon are those which are the most expensive.

For example, to fish the most productive week of the year on the very best beat on the Tweed (Junction Pool in November) it will cost you £1,400 per day! However, it might cost you only £50 to fish the same water during June, when there are very few fish in this part of the river.

The "art" is to know which rivers and which beats are fishing better than their 10-year average and which therefore offer the best value. This is where local knowledge and experience come into play.

However, the great uncertainty when booking in advance is what will the weather and river conditions be like when you are fishing? In an ideal world, we would wait until a couple of days before committing to any particular beat. Unfortunately however, this is not possible. Such is the demand for Scottish salmon fishing that it is imperative to book well in advance.

Visiting fishermen also need to be aware that even if the river is unfishable on the day you have booked, it is never possible to receive a refund. It might not seem fair, but that is just the way that it is!

A beginner’s guide to the Scottish terms describing the various “stages” of salmon you can catch when fishing in Scotland

Every day we receive enquiries from European and other overseas visitors for tailor-made salmon fishing holidays in Scotland. These enquiries can be from complete beginners to very experienced trout fishermen. Probably only one in ten enquiries is from an experienced salmon fisherman. This presents us with a problem when we prepare our proposals. As well as the normal difficulties with translation, we have the added complication which arises due to the very specific vocabulary which is used to refer to the different “stages” of salmon which may be caught when fishing in Scotland. So here is a brief beginner’s guide to the main terms that are used;

Fresh fish

This is what we all want to catch. Just in from the sea, these glorious fish are firm, well proportioned and bright silver with a “petrol blue” sheen. They fight extremely hard and, if they are very fresh (less than 48 hours in freshwater) they may have sea lice still attached. Subject to the conservation rules applying to the particular river, it may be possible to retain a fresh fish.

Coloured fish

As a fresh fish becomes more ready to spawn, its silver colour is replaced by a darker, rust-coloured. The bottom jaw of cock fish develops a pronounced hook (known as a kype) and, having used up some of its body fat reserves, the fish looses some of its firmness. All of these fish must be returned quickly and safely to the river.

Grilse

A young salmon returning to the freshwater for the first time. These beautiful, hard fighting fish normally arrive in the mid to late summer and are usually in the 1-2.5kg range.

Kelt

A salmon which has spawned and is returning to sea. These fish are encountered in the early weeks of the new season, when they will readily take any fly that comes into range. They are in poor condition, having used up almost all of their fat reserves. They are silver in colour, skinny, the fins are usually torn and they almost always have maggots in the gills. By law, these fish must be quickly and carefully returned to the river.

Baggot

A hen salmon which has failed to spawn. They can have an appearance of being “fresh”, but the belly of the fish is soft and flabby. It is more common that they will have a pinkish hue rather than the “petrol blue” sheen of a fresh fish. Like kelts, these fish must be returned.

Three of the best fishing hotels in Scotland

If you are coming to Scotland to fish and you really want to get the best out of the experience, you need to stay in a proper fisherman’s hotel – a place filled with the atmosphere and conversation of the sport. So, here are my top tips…

If you’re fishing for wild brown trout;

The Merkister on the banks of the Harray Loch on Orkney

This place is all about fishing, if you are not a fisherman, you’re in the wrong place. Excellent resident ghillie (John), stunning views onto the loch, very well maintained traditional boats, comfortable rooms and no-nonsense meals.

Inchnadamph Hotel in Assynt

Truly wild and remote setting. Great bar, open fire and hearty food. Classic Highland views over Loch Assynt and relatively easy access to some of the best and most remote limestone lochs.

Cape Wrath Hotel by Durness in the far north west of Scotland

Probably the most dramatic setting in Scotland – simply stunning views. All of the famous limestone lochs are within about 1km.

If you’re fishing for rainbow trout;

The Lake of Menteith Hotel

Doesn’t get more convenient than this – the boats are about 50m from the hotel. Great food in very smart, contemporary surroundings, but it still manages to retain an atmosphere that’s comfortable for the fisherman.

The Tormaukin Inn

Quite convenient to a couple of the less well-known fisheries (Loch Frandy and Glensherup), but absolutely fantastic food, first-class service and comfortable rooms.

If your salmon fishing;

Ballathie House Hotel

Right on the banks of the River Tay near Stanley. In my opinion the best Country House Hotel in Scotland – elegant, supremely comfortable and the best food in the country!

Potarch Hotel

This is a true fisherman’s lodge, right on the banks of the middle Dee. Hotel rooms that are impeccably clean, large and comfy. A proper rod safe, wonderful food (brilliant breakfast) and the most friendly and professional staff anywhere.

Moorfield Guest House

This elegant little Victorian B&B has been a favorite for over 20 years! Very convenient for one of the best sea trout beats on the Spey, always very friendly and superb breakfast.