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.

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