River Fishing

The Dionard (Djer-nard) is a spate river and benefits from rain. The river is divided into six beats, each of which can support a maximum of two rods.
Access to the river is via the track (built in 1989) which serves beats 3 to 6 and about half of beat 2. Access to beat 1 is either by car (which can be left at Rhigolter bridge) or by walking from beat 2. Transport leaves for the river at 0930 each day, with fishers being dropped off at their respective beats en route. Fishers are transported back to the lodge at around 1730. Of course, you can stay out as long as you like if you don't mind walking back to the lodge but the final hill is quite a pull after a long day - and never more so than if you have fish to carry!

Each beat has its own very distinct character.
Beat 6 - The Loch
Loch Dionard is some 65 acres in size with a maximum depth of around 16 feet. It is fed by the the 'Gober Burn' at the South Eastern end and by huge cascades of water that fall from the 'Plat Reidh' to the West. The loch fishes well for both Salmon and Sea Trout and benefits from a wind. Gualin has one boat on the loch together with a Ghillie and outboard motor.
Beat 5 - Yorks
Considered the wildest beat on the river, Yorks has great fishing in higher waters. The river is relatively narrow here, crystal clear and right up against the hills which almost plunge into the river itself. This isn't so much fishing as hunting. Every rise, every swirl, every flicker of interest can be seen.
Beat 4 - Shien Faire (She-an Fairy)
Here the river widens and enters excellent pools such as the Salmon Pool, the Willow Pool, Rosemary's Run and, of course, Shien Faire itself - a great holding pool in which a great deal of excitement has been had over the years.
Beat 3 - Heather Point
Considered by some as the most prolific beat, there is almost a surfeit of fine fishing here with the great Heather Point itself at the top end and other notable pools such as the Grilse Pool, Upper Bend, the Danes and the Stone Pools below.

 

Beat 2 - Flat Pool & The Craggies
Here, the water slackens before beginning its tumultuous passage through the Craggies. The Flat pool itself is a great favourite amongst fishers, as are Green Point, Upper Craggie, the Macphersons and the famous Middle Craggie itself.
Beat 1 - Rhigolter
For the adventurous, the Craggie potholes mark the upper extremity of the beat. The river calms somewhat after this point before flowing through exciting pools such as the Otter Pool, the Gualin Burn pool (a personal favourite), the Raven, the Taghan and finally the Island Pool at the lower end. Beat one has been much improved by the estate in the last 15 years and has many devoted fans.

The Beat System
Each fisher is allocated a beat at the start of each week. At the end of each day you then move down one beat. This means that at the end of a week, you will have fished the entire length of the river. Each beat must be vacated by 0200 the following morning - important to remember if you're out indulging in a little late sea-trout fishing.
Wading
Wading is discouraged as we are doing our best to keep the river bed as undisturbed as possible in order to encourage those organisms at the bottom of the salmon food chain.		 Fly Fishing
The entire system is fly only.
Returns Policy
In common with most highland estates these days, the owners request that tenants behave responsibly over retaining part of their catch. At the end of the season the estate hopes that around 60-70% of fish will have been returned, especially large hen fish. Similar restraint is requested with respect to sea trout.
Dogs
You are very welcome to bring dogs onto the estate but please be aware that there are rare birds in the strath, particularly around beats 4 and 5, and there are also sheep in the area. Dogs must be kept under control.		  

Salmon & Sea Trout Catches - 2006
In 2006 the catches were 162 Salmon, averaging 5lbs 6ozs and 137 Sea Trout averaging 2lbs 10ozs.

Trout Fishing

There are three excellent trout lochs (Lochan Sgeireach) in front of the lodge. These can be walked to in about ten minutes. There are boats on the two closest to the lodge.
Those guests who are already part of a paid River Fishing party have preferential access to these lochs free of charge. You may, however, want to fish for trout while the river fishers are pursuing the salmon. Non Salmon fishers are welcome to fish for the trout for a daily fee of £10 per person per day. The lochs have an abundance of trout in them, the water can boil when they decide to 'come on'. Some trout exceed 2lb, most are in the 8-14oz being the most common size. They are very energetic, however, and require some skill to catch!

Sea Fishing
Excellent sea fishing can be arranged through the resident keeper, Duncan Shaw. In 2006 the Sea Bass were plentiful in the Kyle of Durness with over 100 fish caught by Gualin tenants.