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The Nith at its source near New Cumnock

The River Nith rises near New Cumnock, flows south and enters the Solway Firth just south of Dumfries - about 45 miles in length. It offers a wide variety of fishing experiences for anglers, with varied landscapes and memorable scenery thrown in for good measure.

It's main tributaries - the Cairn, Cample, Shinnel, Scaur and Crawick offer good fishing in themselves, but also provide excellent spawning grounds.

The River in Dumfries Town centre
The Nith is remarkable in that approximately 62% of the fishings are owned or controlled by local Angling Associations.

 

Some information about
the River Nith
We think the Nith is a well-managed river. What makes it special is the partnership which has developed between the private beats and the Angling Associations - working together to manage and develop the river and the sport of angling at local level. This partnership shows itself in a number of ways. . .

The Nith District Salmon Fishery Board

The river is managed by the District Salmon Board on behalf of the local salmon fishing proprietors. It has statutory responsibility for employing the river staff and for the general management of the river.

The Nith Habitat Enhancement Project

The Habitat Enhancement Project works to create good conditions for successful natural reproduction and growth of fish stock. This includes combating bank erosion, developing cover and improving natural feeding.

Restocking Programme

The Nith District Salmon Board operates an annual stocking programme which currently introduces approximately 3/4 million migratory fish fry into the river and its feeder streams annually. The stock is reared from locally-netted salmon and sea trout.

For more information on any of these, click on the headings

Nith Catch Records

The 10-year catch average (1992 to 2001) for the combined river beats was ... 1053 Salmon : 416 Grilse and 2393 Sea Trout

The Nith just south of Sanquhar
Looking upstream to the old Auldgirth Bridge

The Nith Fishings Improvements Association

The Nith Fishings Improvement Association (NFIA) is a voluntary body which coordinates the interests of the various fishings.