Freestone · Mixed · South Lanarkshire

Upper Clyde

Upper Clyde terrain map
Terrain map

The Upper Clyde above Lanark is the Central Belt's proper trout water — a river most people associate with shipyards and wondering what on earth you would fish for, until they see the headwaters above Abington and the conversation stops.

Species

A side-water session, not the main event

River steady at a fishable height. A patient day. Fish the cover and stay with it.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature3328% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity2712% weight
Conditions
Level
0.50 m
Water temp
5.8°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
6°C
Wind
W 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1003 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.4 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
5.2 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (27).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Directions
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About this water

The Upper Clyde above Lanark is the Central Belt's proper trout water — a river most people associate with shipyards and wondering what on earth you would fish for, until they see the headwaters above Abington and the conversation stops. This is a clean, upland stream running over boulders and gravel, browning up after the summer rain the way a hill stream should, and holding wild brown trout in numbers that would surprise you. Upper Clyde Angling Protective Association manage long stretches; day tickets are accessible and the beats are wadeable throughout. Best fishing is April to June on small wet flies and spiders, then again in September when the fish thicken up before spawning. The Clyde taught a whole generation of Scottish trout fishers how to fish the North Country wet — it still does.

  • Mixed
Other water nearby · 5