The source of the Nith near Nith Lodge. Here the river actually runs north before turning east then a final turn south to head for the Solway Coast.

The New Cumnock Angling Association
controls the top end of the river, from the border between Dumfries & Galloway up to the source of the river in the south Ayrshire hills.

Salmon run up to these headwaters to spawn, but the club has chosen not to exercise the salmon fishing rights as a conservarion measure. The Nith headwaters and the Afton Water provide excellent spawning and nursery areas for the rest of the river system.

The club allows fishing for Sea Trout which run the river earlier than the salmon and which also tend to move well up the river if the Spring conditions are right.

The river just above Hall bridge on the Dumfries and Galloway border. Just above this, the Nith is joined by one of its main tributaries - the Afton Water.