I had a lovely chat with FishPal yesterday who filled me in on all the fishing in the Scottish Borders.  As Howford is so close to the Ettrick Water and the rivers Yarrow and Tweed are near by too, it is a wasted opportunity if you are staying at Howford, not to go salmon or trout fishing.  The River Tweed ranks among the top salmon fishing rivers but you don’t have to spend big bucks to get the chance to fish on one of the most famous rivers in the world.  Here is the low-down: To fish you need a permit. One used to be able to buy a permit from the local newsagent or pub but things have  changed slightly and you need to go online to www.fishpal.com or telephone them on 01573 470612.

The Salmon Fishing Season runs from February through to the end of November but I have been told you don’t really want to fish before mid September.

The Trout Fishing Season is from mid March through to mid October.

Salmon fishing per day can be as low as £24 and increases exponentially depending upon location and time of year.  If you’re lucky, you can also bag a last-minute bargain so it is worth checking FishPal regularly or speaking to the guys.

There are numerous beats in the Scottish Borders, all within striking distance of Howford.  To see the beats available, go to FishPal.com and click on River/Area Tweed.  This shows the beats on the Ettrick, Tweed and Teviot and their surrounding tributaries.

If you are after Trout fishing, the day permit is as low as £5.  You need to contact James Handyside of the Selkirk and District Angling Association on 01750 21474.

The Selkirk and District Angling Association have both Salmon and over 40 miles of Wild Trout fishing available on the Rivers Ettrick and Yarrow.

If river fishing is not your thing and you would rather still water in a rowing boat, Lindean Loch is just outside Selkirk, stocked with rainbow trout and the permits are £18 for 2 rods available through FishPal.  Alternatively you can soak up the dramatic scenery angling at St Mary’s Loch.  See Visit St Marys Loch for further info.

I am very happy to sort out permits for you prior to your arrival, please do just ask.  If you are a beginner and require instruction, we recommend you get in touch with Selkirk based Tweed Guide (www.tweedguide.com).  They can give you a lesson, supply you with all the equipment, including waders, sort out your permits and set you off on your fishing holiday!

Don’t forget to visit the Philiphaugh Salmon Viewing Centre, just the other side of Bowhill from Howford, on the Yarrow road.  You will learn all about the life of a salmon (they are amazing creatures and yes it is very interesting! My children are fascinated by it) and if you’re lucky you will spot the salmon leaping through the new fish pass.