The River Tweed has an international reputation for salmon and brown trout fishing, and is one of the top salmon rivers in the UK. The Milne Graden beat has its own strong reputation for salmon and sea trout. Due to the proximity to the river mouth at Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Milne Graden benefits from tidal waters resulting in a good run of Spring fish as well as an excelled Summer and Autumn run. The beat fishes particularly well in low and mid water conditions, something that upstream beats struggle with.
The Milne Graden beat is 1.4 miles long with a combination of easy wading and boat fishing.
Complete with its own full time ghillie / boatman, Kevin Wright, fishermen can benefit from his extensive knowledge of the beat through the entire season. An additional ghillie is also available for boat fishing during the busier Summer months.
The upper beat can easily be accessed by foot while the lower beat can be accessed by vehicle.
Left bank fishing is available for the entire stretch, and double bank fishing available for half the beat.
Three rods are available to book and the river is suitable for both fly and spinner fishing. Pool allocation is drawn on a weekly basis each Monday upon arrival – all rods are on-site for the draw.
It can be fished from 1st February to the 30th November, the longest fishing season of any salmon river in the UK. Fishing can take place from Monday to Saturday every week through the season.
“Thank you for another excellent week fishing on the Milne Graden estate. The beat is extremely picturesque with a mixture of deep holding water and fast stream fly water. Surrounded by unspoiled countryside it boasts an abundance of wildlife. Frequent sightings of buzzards, ospreys, peregrines and the busy activity of sand martins on the river bank add to the river experience. I thoroughly enjoyed walking down to the river for an evening cast from the fabulous estate holiday cottages.”
Jordan / 2023
Top half of the rocks is called The March. A nice ‘streamy’ bit of water where fish like to lie in low levels. A nice view upstream from Littlehaugh Shiel.
Slow moving pool which holds resident salmon. Some fresh fish but the water moves quite fast. Hand lining and working the fly works well in this pool. If hand lining is not your thing, some people may like to spin this pool. A nice view from Garden House holiday cottage.
One of the deepest pools in the beat. They say it’s 15ft deep. Heavy lines needed and sporting hand lining required. This pool holds late springers.
A purpose-built dam that used to divert water to a pump station that created electricity for Milne Graden House. All the fish come over this! Good stopping point.
The Stream sits further down river from The Cauld. A fantastic fly fishing pool in optimum conditions, good for evening sea trout, excitable grilse as well as salmon. It is fairly shallow so lends itself nicely to gentle wading. Fishes well in the summer.
Big holding pool. Holds a lot of fish all year round. Good for springers and Summer fish.
Medium to high water pool. Good to fish from the bank or in the boat in high water.
Great for Summer sea trout and strong playful grilse. A lovely pool to fish in the evening.
Home for resident salmon. Quarry point is where they like to lie. Little handlining required at the start.
A good resting pool for salmon which have run up through Norham and Ladykirk. Fishes well in low water. A nice pool to fish in the evening with only a short walk from the cottages at Sunnyside. A beautiful view from the terrace at Hamilton House holiday cottage.
“Great low water beat for the Tweed. Kevin, the ghillie, is very knowledgeable and always wants to catch fish”
Schloss / 2021
Our fishing hut, Littlehaugh Shiel, has been converted to a comfortable round hut with a fitted kitchen, wood burning stove and flushing loo.
The quaint log burner, perfect for keeping warm during the colder months while also adding to the experience of a relaxing atmosphere.
Accessed by a good track road, this is perfect for vehicles of all sizes and parking is also available right next to the Shiel.
Fishing boats are available, as well as a dedicated ghillie to row, help guests change flies, and provide valuable experience and advice to give fishermen the best chance of landing a catch.
Bring everything: Switch, Fly, Spinner … just in case.
A range of different sized Willie Gunns 7 Cascades work well.
Ideally be prepared and bring a packed lunch so you can relax at the shiel, have a cuppa and have a chat with the team. Alternatively delicious local lunch supplies can be sourced from Foremans Butchers in Norham (closed on a Monday) and the village shop in Cornhill.
Bring for any eventuality including waders, suncream, polaroids and wading stick!
Well controlled dogs are more than welcome. Please ensure you clean up after them.