Avon Valley Angling Association (AVAA)

The Avon, specifically the Avon Valley beat has something for everyone that likes small river fishing. There are excellent hatches throughout the year and the farmland stretches are best for these. The nymph angler will love the entire beat, the Sea Trout anglers have so much choice, and now there are a few salmon coming in and the best place for these is in the gorge. Sharing two other beats with the combined three clubs means there is nearly 11 miles of fishing on one of the most underestimated rivers of the Forth catchment. It’s a crackin’ wee river, on the doorstep of a lot of folk that don’t know it’s there. Get out after two days of rain if it’s been low. There are 7 miles of amazingly diverse pools, runs, gorge, open farmland in this beat, and then there are two other beats shared with the other clubs that include incredible Sea Trout fishing down near the estuary.

This little river flowing some 19 miles continues strong into the 2020’s and the fishing is described as the best it has ever been and getting better all the time. The Avon meets the Firth of Forth at Grangemouth just downstream of the Carron and the Grange Burn at Grangemouth Refinery. Flowing through Linlithgow, the Avon is one of the easiest rivers to get to in the Forth district, just off the M9. Avon Valley Angling Association offer fishing in the upper catchment around Avonbridge and Westfield.

The Avon Valley Angling Association’s, aka Beat 2, upper boundary is the Balmitchell Bridge upstream from Avonbridge. The fishing is both banks right through to Torphichen Bridge or Avon Gorge Bridge and this is approximately 7 miles of fishing.

The fishing is primarily for Brown Trout and the river is historically known for its excellent Brown Trout and also the Sea Trout runs. Increasing numbers of Salmon are returning to the river, however it is still very lucky and a bonus to hook one, if any, from August on. The river is best fished after a good spell of rain, especially after a dry period when the river can become a little stale and slippy too. Beat 2 is exclusive to Avon Valley Angling Association members, however the three clubs share beats 3 and 5 meaning that the fishing is extended for all anglers on the river. Sea Trout fishing can be very exciting in Beat 5 above the SEPA station due to it being the first holding pool off the tide, and Beat 3 is one of the most beautiful Brown Trout fisheries and a must visit. The best section on Beat 3 is Muiravonside Country Park. This is accessible via parking at the country park and walking the very well kept paths. The section immediately downstream of Balmitchell Bridge is farmland and livestock can be a pest here, however, if you are left alone you are welcomed with some charming water that rewards Trout anglers of the upstream and downstream varieties. There is a gate and bridge 200m downstream of Balmitchell which offers some escape from the cattle, and this section is tree lined on the right bank and open and beautifully fishable on the left bank. Fish the afternoon hatches here, rises can be quite exciting. The section just up from Avonbridge includes the confluence with the Linhouse burn and this increases the size and flow of the river. A Sea Trout is very possible in and around Avonbridge. The river, now a little larger, starts to twist and sculpt some really nice pools through the farmland and it is quite accessible by road and foot, however it can be quite overgrown. There are some beautiful runs and pools for Trout through this whole section, and one of the key areas to fish is above and around what’s called the “concrete dam” which is a weir accessible via a stile on Blackston Rd. Upstream from the weir, the South bank is preferred for better access and more inside bends. Walk down from Avonbridge. There is a lot of water to explore here and the river style is quite similar throughout, and a good day of fishing can be had. Millburn confluence near the sewerage works is a hot spot for anglers. Park on the main road and walk down the burn to the confluence. In low water you can cross here as the most desirable side is the left bank, upstream and downstream. However, there is access to a footbridge in the gorge downstream for those less keen to cross. If you are looking for one of the prettiest places in the Avon Valley, the gorge has to be one of them. Park your vehicle in the layby at the junction of the A706 and the A801, hop over the crash barrier to find the footpath leading down to Avon Falls. This path takes you up some really stunning pools that provide Grilse, Sea Trout and large Trout, all the way up to Wallace’s Cave where you will find the footbridge offering access to the left bank and more fishing upstream opposite the Millburn confluence explained above. Take a box of flies or lures that cover all three species here. There is a good chance of anything in these limestone carved pools.

Beat 3 and Beat 5 available to all members of Beats 1, Slamannan Angling Protective Association, Beat 2, Avon Valley Angling Association, or Beat 4, Linlithgow Angling Club. There are plenty of places to park depending on where you would like to fish. There are paths along most of the gorge fishing, access is not difficult in the farmland areas. Please shut the gates. There are plenty of cafe, bakery and shops for meals and snacks around the area. The towns of Linlithgow, Falkirk and Bathgate offer many accommodation options so it is worth staying the night to fish early to late and maybe fish multiple rivers in one visit according to conditions, or your preferences. If parking at the dam or weir at Westfield, please use the gravel parking area near the bridge crossing just downstream of the weir.