Inshewan

Inshewen

Is one of the most prolific and attractive salmon and sea trout beats in Scotland. This is superb fly water, with easy access to the pools, the beat fishes well throughout the season, and even in low water. The Inshewan Fishings beat is, without doubt, one of the most picturesque, varied and prolific beats on the South Esk and is best known for its prolific sea trout and large salmon. It stretches from the Shielhill Bridge downstream for two and a half miles to just below the dam at Craigeassie.

Fishing Pools

The beat starts at Big Stone and then down into the Lushet where the sea trout and salmon can lie in large numbers. Below the Lushet the river tumbles down to the Red Stream, a long pool which carries the fly well. This gives way to The Blue Rock a great sea trout holding pool and then down to the Two Croys. The Two Croys which fishes to bottom, downstream and round the corner is the Wood stream, a “fishy” pool if ever there was one, and below this the Bothy and so down to The Esk – one of the best pools on the beat and a favourite for night sea trout fishing and large salmon and has provided two perfect springers in recent years 28lber and a 31lber.

Auchleuchrie below which is the Pipeline pools from here on down the river tumbles through the sandstone gorge through the Lang Stream an exciting place for the fisherman, using a single-handed rod. At the end of this long pool the river quietens down and ends abruptly in a very deep quiet pool, The Castle Hill, where the river narrows to a width of only a very few feet but where in its depths the salmon and sea trout can safely hide in very large numbers. As the stream glides out of the tail there is a famous lie guaranteed to hold fish.

Below the Castle Hill is the Ministers Stream – a good sea trout run best fished in the evening. This leads through the Dardanelles and into the Garden Pool where the sea trout can lie in large numbers especially in low water. This pool is a favourite for the night fisherman. Below this famous pool there is a most attractive fast run known as the “Back of the Island” – an almost sure bet for a pull from a sea trout or grilse from mid-June onwards. This leads into Cameron’s Run, and so on down to the House Pool where the comfortable Fishing Hut is sited.

Below the House Pool there is an awkward pool, The Cairney even so it holds good number of fish. This leads down to Strachans, a deep hole where both salmon and sea trout congregate throughout the season.. On the corner below this is a dead elm tree which marks the top of the Boat Pool. At the bottom of the Boat Pool there is one of the most magical and mysterious pools on the river, The Bottom Croy where a whole night can be spent during the sea trout season, large shoals of sea trout congregate under the far bank. Finally, at the bottom of the beat is the Dam Pool with its channels and pots to the left. The long deep run under the far bank has become a favourite spot for the fish to rest.

Fly fishing tackle

For fly fishing for salmon at Inshewn we recommend 12-13 ‘ feet double handed and Switch rods for lines #6-10 and suitable fly reels with good quality brakes. Floating, sink tip or intermediate shooting heads are most used fly lines but please bring also sinking shooting heads for possible high water conditions.

Flies

Good salmon fly patterns for Inshewan: Cascade, Posh Cascade, Willie Gunn, Munroe Killer, Cascade variations, Flamethrower, Monkey, Allys Shrimp, Stoats Tail, The Lushet.

Fishing Hut

Hut with log fire, cooking facilities, running water and solar powered lighting.

Inshewan is also getting a name for it’s self as a big fish beat on the South Esk. With the largest spring fish in 2022 estimated at 28lbs caught on a fly in scottish waters. With a host of other spring salmon all over 20lbs. A few words from John Mitchell on his Malloch Trophy winning salmon.

I had just moved to the Esk pool, the resident otter had just educated on the proper salmon fishing etiquette and had moved me on from the Craigeassie dam pool. First cast in the Esk pool with a size 12 Posh Casacade, i seen the fish roll on the fly and after a thirty-five minute tussle followed, with the fish trying to leave the pool on two occasions. The fish was in prime condition, carrying “sea lice” indicating it had just entered the river and measured nearly 41 inches long.

John Mitchell.

The River South Esk, together with the North Esk, are two of the most prolific and attractive salmon and sea trout rivers in Scotland. Both flow into the sea near Montrose. The South Esk is best known for its sea trout. The Inshewan Fishings beat is, without doubt, one of the most picturesque, varied and prolific beats on the South Esk. It stretches from the Shielhill Bridge four miles East of Kirriemuir and meanders downstream for two and a half miles to the dam at Craigeassie. The beat naturally divides itself into two with the Esk Pool marking the mid point. If the river is shared between two independent parties the changeover time is at 1 pm.