Larbert & Stenhousemuir Angling Club (LASAC)

The Carron is a river that, like many other rivers in the area, was polluted and devoid of fish even as recently as twenty years ago due to the heavy industrial era and aftermath. Now, with the devoted actions of the angling club and many other community organisations, the River Carron is a beautiful river that runs clean and holds a great head of Trout, Salmon and Sea Trout. Larbert & Stenhousemuir Angling Club offer permits to fish along the majority of the River Carron which gives anglers a variety of waters to wet a line on. This river is well worth a cast. It’s a gem of a river that has got so much to offer the angling fraternity and the communities surrounding it. A family river too with Mum’s and Dad’s often out with their kids fishing the river together. Those with a love for any style of river fishing can find what they want on the Carron. If you nymph fish, swing wets, spin for Trout, Salmon fish, chase Sea Trout, the Carron has it all… and don’t be hesitant to fish to the conditions!

The River Carron’s (Carrann) source is upstream of Carron Valley Reservoir in the Campsie Fells. Below the Reservoir, the river crashes through a gorge and slows a little as it passes Denny, Larbert and Falkirk to eventually meet the Firth of Forth at Grangemouth. The river is loosely lined with roads and crossings making access easy by car, especially off the M876 Junctions 1 or 2, as you are met almost immediately with the river. An extremely easy drive for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth etc. Stirling is a mere 20 minute drive away.

The Larbert and Stenhousemuir Angling Club (LASAC) operates the fishing from the very upper limit of Auchlillian Spout at the top of Carron Glen, to the Tidal Weir at Carron Works, Carronshore. The river offers over 10 miles of double bank fishing, although the right bank, looking downstream, is generally more easily fished and accessible. Please refer to the map for detailed upper and lower limits. Tributaries are not included in the fishing.

Considered an urban river, some of the best Trout fishing in Scotland can be had here and should not be dismissed by any Trout, Sea Trout or Salmon angler. The Carron has some very exciting water, in the upper reaches of the beat for example – The gorge is beautiful, albeit a bit of an adventure to fish and those able and in the right frame of mind need only venture up in steady and lower conditions, access details below. The rest of the water, and the 25 named pools, is mixed rural and urban water and a sanctuary amongst the bustle and Motorways. The river slows as you travel downstream. There are opportunities at hooking good sized wild and stocked Brown Trout all season. The main Salmon run starts in late Summer and the Sea Trout show up in May. The best way to see Salmon in the Carron is 3 hours after high tide, see Grangemouth, at the falls just upstream from the Larbert Viaduct. There is a high path at the top of the bank which takes you to the falls from the roadside at the Viaduct on the true right bank. The Carron has water for everyone and no shortage of it. Whatever your discipline you will enjoy the Carron. ‘Fish for all of the three species and to the conditions’ is the best advice from the locals. Upper Limit – Upper reaches to Fankerton Hut, Gorge. The fishing in this area is better described from Fankerton Hut up rather than down. It is for those able bodies and relatively fit anglers. Park at Fankerton Hut and follow the footpath and steps down the reasonably steep bank to the footbridge just upstream. It is best to cross the footbridge and fish from the true left bank here. A nymph’ers paradise as the pools are short and oxygenated and not as easy to access as those further downstream. There is a path, Carron Glen Wildlife Reserve, that offers access along the true left bank, and dropping down into the river is possible. Shared with walkers and photographers, this is a very pretty spot and it feels like miles away from any urban environment. Sometimes it may pay to walk up the river as you fish rather than coming out to the path. The gorge narrows as you head further upstream and you’ll know when you want to return the way you came. Heavy nymphs and a shorter #2-5 fly rod is the best setup here either Czech or Euro nymphing or try kiwi style in the warmer months. Felt soles may be a better option here due to the slippery rocks, however a wading stick is probably more of a priority. Be careful, the river can rise very quickly, so plan ahead, only go if you are confident with the forecast and conditions, and make sure you always have an exit. Phone signal is intermittent at best in the gorge. Below Fankerton Hut to Dunipace. This section is narrow and can be unfishable in places. Advised is to avoid it completely. Lady’s Leap is worth a look, not fishing, as it is very impressive in higher water. There is a weir with a pass on it here, however migratory fish will not be successful in getting passed this weir therefore it is the upper limit for Salmon and Sea Trout. Be wary of the rules regarding fishing near weirs, dams etc. Again, recommend avoiding fishing here, there are far better places downstream. Dunipace to Horsemill or Mill Pool. This section is very attractive fishing water and it is the most productive area for Salmon anglers. There are some lovely pools, e.g. Denovan, Roger’s, and Woodyett, that are easily fished from the right bank. Access to these pools is best from downstream and walking up. Park at the layby on the right bank of the bridge on the access road to the ‘Works’ site. The trucks can be very large here so tuck in as tight as you can to the fenceline. Hop over the fence or gate and walk up the true right bank, left bank looking upstream, from here. Best fished with a fly first and followed by a small spinner. A morning of fishing here can be very productive for Salmon anglers fishing in the right conditions, i.e. after a spate and falling, clearing. Again, it pays to see if there are fish attempting the falls upstream of Larbert Viaduct the day before or morning of your fishing. Downstream from the works access bridge, there is some nice trout fishing, however it is a small section and access is restricted by a private house at the corner below Mill Pool. Headswood Pool is easier accessed from downstream up. Roughmute to Junction Pool, and below. Roughmute is the name of the roundabout just downstream of the M876. Park in the layby on the roundabout near the upstream side of the small stone bridge, B905, and walk up the path to Bridge Pool which is under the flyover of the M876. Then head back downstream and find your way across the B905 at the roundabout and in to the field, be aware and respectful of livestock, and down the right bank. This section is stunning fly water and the hatches can be excellent. A good walk downstream gets you to the Junction Pool where the Bonny Water comes in. Investigating below this may be worth your while, however it can be very thick vegetation, fences and more livestock that is either a plus or a negative depending on your choice of angling pressure vs ease of access. This stretch can be accessed via the left, North, bank on the B905, however access from the road and parking is limited and may not be worth the risk. Larbert Viaduct Section. The go to section for those looking to start out on the Carron is Larbert Viaduct. It is a great meeting place which is easy to find and park at on the kerb, and the fishing can be great too. Good sized trout are plentiful here and whether you fly fish traditionally or Euro or Czech nymph, you will have a good bit of fun here. This is a great section for beginners and kids or families also. Spinning the Viaduct Pool and surrounds with a 00 Gold Mepp can be very productive, but most of the water upstream of here is better suited to the fly. Ernie’s Pool is a favourite of the locals seeking a Brown Trout and sometimes a Sea Trout. Dorrator Bridge and Below. This section is by far the slowest, it meanders its way through agricultural land and can be very challenging fishing with high Willow bushes. There are however some reasonably nice runs and pools for all anglers, and quite possibly the easiest Sea Trout pool for an evening cast is the Swing Bridge as it has parking at Dorrator Bridge and the access is simple. The next 300-400m is fishable, however below this is not recommended as there are far better places to fish upstream. Very few people choose to fish further down at the weir at Carronshore, so really your fishing is best finished in and around the ‘Crematorium’, marked on the fishery map, above the Ford and Cauldhame Pools.

Road access is easy as is car parking. There is coffee and food outlets in all of the small towns along the river. A favourite is the burger van at the garden centre at the Larbert Viaduct. Hotels and B&B’s are easily found online.