Lanrick Estate

Lanrick Estate is one of the most exclusive Salmon fly beats in the Forth catchment. The jewel in the River Teith’s crown. Anglers that fish it regularly keep coming back for an array of reasons be it the chance at a big Teith fish, which is always possible; the surroundings; the pools; and /or the privacy. The beat also practices catch and release at all times. You are coming here for the exclusivity, the quiet and the scenery. The accommodation on the beat is stunning, the fishing genuinely is a bonus. Besides the Salmon, Sea Trout are my favourite at night on a muggy and still night, it can be great.

The Lanrick beats are part of the beautiful Lanrick Estate located on the River Teith upstream of Deanston and Doune. The River Teith flows East from the trossachs some 17 miles and out into the Firth of Forth after converging with the River Forth at Craigforth near Stirling. The beats are only 10 minutes drive from Stirling, 45 minutes from Perth and Glasgow, and an hour from Edinburgh.

Upper Beat – The Upper reaches of the beat are at the waterfall above Johnny Cairns Pool. The Upper beat is right bank only. The Pulpit Pool is the lowest pool on the Upper beat. The opposite bank’s fishing is Cambusmore Estate. Lower Beat – Below Pulpit is The Laundry Pool, this is the upper most pool of the Lower beat. The Lower beat is single bank for The Laundry and The Gean Tree pools only, then double bank from Castle Flats to the Pool below the Deanston Weir.

The angling opportunities on the River Teith have attracted anglers from around the UK and internationally for centuries. Lanrick Estate is one of the main benefactors of this due to its setting, facilities, high calibre pools, privacy and good fishing. The trend over the last few years as salmon numbers have declined is toward Sea Trout and Salmon as the combined target species. If the conditions are high, dropping and clearing then there is a good chance of a salmon all season. If the conditions are low, bright and warm, then fish early for salmon in the morning as the Sun rises downstream and then rest the best pools for Sea Trout in the evening. Some excellent Brown Trout can be caught during the day on dries and wets. A ghillie can be provided at cost during booking. Novice anglers should head to Gravel Bank and The Dam. Experienced anglers will enjoy the entire beat, however The Laundry and The Pool will be appreciated. The Upper Beat is perceived as the lesser of the two beats, simply because it is not as picturesque, albeit it is still beautiful. The pools are generally faster and not as deep as the Lower Beat and this tends to make it more of a Summer beat for Grilse. However there are several places good fish can hold briefly whilst they navigate their way upstream. If the river is falling after a good spate and just about clear, this is the time to fish the Upper Beat and it can be the best value Salmon fishing you can get on the Teith. The ghillie can sometimes give you a lift to the top of the beat, or use the estate tracks to find your way to the field, park and then walk upstream to the boundary or forestry wall. The walk is easy along sheep grazed banks. The river at the top of the beat in Johnny Cairns is exciting, quick and not overly technical. Start short and lengthen the line as you fish above the burn and gradually wade down. The rocks are a little awkward and slippery so a wading stick and felt soles offer a great deal of help here and for the remainder of both beats. There is a chance of a fish anywhere in this pool as there is plenty of structure. A very attractive pool. In good conditions the boulder at the top of the Drumvaich pool is a short cast and can hold fish. Again lengthen your line and get a good cast out to cover this beautiful long sweeping pool that is the best holding water of the Upper beat. The next few pools can be good fishing, however the one to look forward to is The Well. Easy under foot, a short cast to bed in with and let the line come right around to the bank. From the lee of the boulder to under the branches lower down is all excellent taking water. Fish heavier here. The next few pools are a great cast especially The Pulpit. Hang on tight. The Lower Beat is the jewel in the River Teith’s Crown. As you start at The Laundry Pool, immediately the surrounds of deciduous trees, mowed grass, parking at the pool, and in the Autumn colours everything is quite breathtaking. You will find yourself taking a moment to appreciate it all. The fishing also gets even better from here down and the thought of that is why many people keep returning to Lanrick. Laundry pool is a dream for those more experienced anglers and good waders. Again, felt soles and a wading stick really make the lumpy bottom a little more enjoyable. Cast square to start and work your way down under the massive trees overhead. Don’t be tempted to wade out, the fish run the middle and this bank and there is a significant drop off at the bend that is best identified prior to fishing the pool. Fish a long line to cover the tail. Sea Trout will take in the pool at any time of the day. Gean Tree is a great pool if fish are running. The Castle Flats Pool is considered to be one of the most beautiful pools in Scotland. Upstream is Ben Ledi, and downstream is the Lanrick bridge and hut and perfect water for the fly to swing through. The taking spot here is near the burn mouth on the far bank and down the main gut of the pool to the tail. Running fish will sit high up in the pool so wade in gently to no more than your knees. Wade down to the large boulder just under the surface and then make a line to the bench on the bank and come out roughly there. Cross the bridge to fish Plum Jardin and The Garden. These pools need water. The Doctors and Gravel Bank Pools are fished from the right bank. A walk from the car as the track comes away from the river, or a 4×4 trip over the field takes you in to the top end of thee pools or the bottom. Doctors requires a good read of the water and the Gravel Bank is textbook salmon pool fast at the neck slowing into a slow glide as it deepens. Gravel Banks is the most prolific Sea Trout and Brown Trout pool on the beat and Salmon are regularly caught here too. The Dam Pool is a very good holding pool. It is very long and slow, and requires the river to be higher. This pool is great as the water drops after a spate, and as the river is rising during heavy rain before the colour comes down. Start high up at the top of the cut grass and stay out of the water for as long as you can. Running fish cut the corner, resident fish hug the far bank. The Square boulder is the main taking spot. Fish all the way down to the end of the cut grass. Running fish show frequently at the tail of the pool when they are there. Below and opposite is Sandy’s Pool. A great pool for higher water. Wade up from the cut grass as deep as your waders will allow and cast out to under the branches on the far side. The Pool is the section of water immediately below the Deanston Dam. The Dam is magnificent in all heights of water and has two fish passes on it. From the left bank, paddle out and start fishing well below the dam. The ground is flat slabs and felt soles are the best option. A wading stick and polaroid glasses will help you identify where any drop in the slabs may be. There is a nasty drop of only 1ft or so nearing the middle of the pool which can give even the most regular anglers a little wake up call. Be careful. From the rigth bank The Pool is again magnificent, and here you need to drop down via the old ladder and walk upstream on the grass to start fishing. Here you are well below the weir for good conservation practice and you only need a short line and a fairly fast sinking fly in high water to be within a very good chance of a potential monster Teith Salmon. Many anglers will vouch for how successful The Pool can be. It is so important to avoid fishing under the weir though, best practice and giving the fish a chance that are just about ready to run the fish pass is what needs to be considered here.

There is a marvelous hut with a wood burning stove, kettle and dining table overlooking the Castle Flats Pool. This is the meeting place in the morning. Seats, rod racks, ladders on high banks and manicured paths all add to the enjoyment of the fishing. Callander, Doune and Stirling all have many accommodation options, however the estate has a selection of stunning accommodation options on the river keeping you on the estate, allowing anglers to have a drink in the evening without driving, and making the most out the most beautiful surroundings you could hope for. Take the family or a group of friends and stay at Lanrick. Doune offers shops and cafes, for a bite to eat. There are places to park up and down the river on nearly every pool on the Lower beat, however a longer walk is required on the Upper beat. There is a charming little loo available at the hut.