Fishing on the River Stinchar
The River Stinchar is one of the most productive of the Ayrshire salmon rivers and it has some excellent fly water. The Stinchar is a typical west coast spate river – fishing is at its best in a falling water immediately after a summer or autumn spate.
The river is 54 kilometers long, and rises in Shallochhill, in the Carrick Forrest, then runs through the beautiful Stinchar valley and the villages of Barr, Pinwherry, Colmonell and into the sea at Ballantrae. It has two main tributaries, the Duisk and the Assel. The Duisk rises in a more southerly catchment and is sometimes in spate when the Stinchar proper, upstream of Pinwherry, is flowing at normal level.
When To Fish
The best months to fish the Stinchar are September and October. However, a wet Spring and/or Summer can produce good sport in the early months, particularly June, when a few good double figure fish are to be found in the river.
Fishing Season
Salmon & sea trout season:
25th February to 31st October
Brown trout season:
15th March to 6th October
The Fishings
Upper Stinchar
Good fishing can be obtained on the Upper Stinchar for 8 miles above the village of Barr and beyond. Much of it is owned and managed by the local farmers, so if you are seeking fishing permits, then please ask the local landowner.
Wee Stinchar
This stretch of river extends downstream from the village of Barr to the confluence of the Duisk and the Stinchar at Pinwherry.
Minuntion:
Strictly fly only on 3 beats. Syndicated fishing with occasional day rods.
Douglas Faulds
Benan Farm
Pinmore
South Ayrshire
KA26 0TG
01465 841616
Main river
The under-noted beats are located downstream from Pinwherry to the village of Colmonell
- Almont
- Dalreoch
- Bardrochat
- Kirkhill
For full details and availability please see www.dalreochestate.co.uk
Colmonell Angling Club
Day tickets are available on the Colmonell Angling Club stretch of the river for friends of members only.
Contact Stephen Challis, Club Treasurer on 07765-206295
Kirkholm:
About 1.5 miles upstream from Ballantrae lies Kirkholm Farm. Day tickets are available. All legal lures permitted. £40 per rod per day.
This beat is now fully syndicated.
William Marshall
Kirkholm Farm
Ballantrae
South Ayrshire
KA26 0LH
01465 831737
07842625791
Knockdolian:
The Knockdolian Estate water is double bank fishing for salmon and sea trout. Strictly fly only
Prices from £35-£70 per rod per day.
Knockdolian Estate
Colmonell
South Ayrshire
KA26 0LB
01465 881237
Ballantrae:
Both banks at the mouth of the River Stinchar at Ballantrae. This stretch includes the tidal pools and extends from the estuary upstream for approximately 1 mile from the estuary upstream. It is sometimes let by the week only with a well-furnished fishing lodge right on the river for two or four rods. This must be pre-booked well in advance. Day tickets are not available on this beat.
Caroline Dalrymple
Crailoch
Ballantrae
South Ayrshire
KA26 0LW
01465 831418
dal@crailoch.co.uk
