The Cairn at Irongray

The River Cairn

The Cairn is the Nith's largest tributary. We control the fishing along almost the entire length of the river, from Dumfries to Moniaive, 16 miles north. It is the kind of river where you can lose yourself for a whole day - and scarcely meet another angler!

Though smaller than the Nith, is every bit as prolific - with good runs of both salmon and sea trout. It offers a good variety of pools and stretches, and though much of the water is better suited to bait fishing or spinning, there are many places where you can have good sport with a fly rod - especially for trout during Spring and early summer.

The pools are too numerous for all to have a recognised name.

The Cairn is not an easy river to fish - but then again, the best never are! Pools are tucked away into corners and casting is not for the faint-hearted. However, if you get to know the river, it is a "Gem".
The river can be divided easily into three sections - Upper Cairn - Middle Cairn - Lower Cairn.   Each is described in better detail below. We will be happy to give advice to visitors as to access and techniques for each. The sections are different in character.    It is not an easy river to get to know - so it is well worth asking for advice from one of the local fishing shops as to access and parking. When you get to know it, it is a "little gem" of a river. Its main feeder streams are the Dalwhat Burn, Cluden Water and the Old Water.

All offer good conditions for spawning and nursery areas for young fish. There are a number of sizeable falls or rapids - notably at Cluden rocks on the lower river and Morrington on the middle river - but none of these present an insurmountable barrier to salmon or sea trout except in period of low water. The Old Water is blocked by a waterfall at Routen Bridge, but the area above the falls is used as a nursery area for fry

Upper Cairn

Middle Cairn

Lower Cairn

The upper river - above Dalgonnar Bridge - has some lovely deep pools which join long tree-lined flats. It has ample opportunity for fly, spinning or worming. Best known spots for fishing are at Stewarton, Crossford, Coatston, Snade Dam, Snade Mill and the Long John Pool just above Dalgonnar Bridge.

The main access points with parking are at Dalgonnar Bridge, Snade Farm, Snade Mill, Coatston, Crossford Bridge, Stewarton and Upper Ingleston.

The middle river - from Dalgonnar Bridge down to Old Waterfoot - is generally fast-flowing and much more tree-covered, creating ideal cover for fish. Best known spots for fishing are The Devil's Cauldron, Milliganton, Morrington and The Bunkers (at Newtonairds).

The main access points with parking are at Dalgonnar Bridge, Snade Farm, Snade Mill, Coatston, Crossford Bridge, Stewarton and Upper Ingleston.

The lower Cairn - from Oldwaterfoot down - is much more evenly-paced with plenty of long flats interspersed with deep pools on the river bends. Favourite spots are at Old Waterfoot, Newtonaids, 6-Mile Corner, Hallhills, Baltersan, the Lingam, the Cattle Pens, 4-Mile Corner and the Willow Pool (below East Cluden Village).

The main access points with parking are at Dalquhairn, 6-Mile Corner, Hallhills Farm, Irongray Bridge, Ingleston (the 'cattle pens'), 4-Mile Corner and East Cluden Village.

Brown Trout
The Cairn is an ideal Trout river which is stocked annually with locally-reared Brown trout. 1500 11" trout and 1300 8" trout have been stocked this year - all of which are reared in a local hatchery.

Over 900 Brownies were taken from the river in 2002 fish of over 3lbs are not uncommon.