Freestone · Mixed · Borders

Leader Water

Leader Water venue image
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The Leader runs off the Lammermuir Hills and joins the Tweed at Leaderfoot, and it is one of the most obliging trout streams in the Borders — small enough to fish with a 9ft rod, big enough to hold decent wild brown trout, and set in Lammermuir country that is some of the quietest and most pleasant rural scenery in southern Scotland.

Species

Decent — worth a look

Low and clear — careful approach country. Low water tactics — small singles, riffling hitch in the smooth glides.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
7°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Conditions
Level
0.13 m
Water temp
6.7°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
8°C
Wind
S 10 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1003 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
2.8 mm
Light rain · next 48h

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

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Fair conditions based on river hydrology and migration patterns.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
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.

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Directions
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About this water

The Leader runs off the Lammermuir Hills and joins the Tweed at Leaderfoot, and it is one of the most obliging trout streams in the Borders — small enough to fish with a 9ft rod, big enough to hold decent wild brown trout, and set in Lammermuir country that is some of the quietest and most pleasant rural scenery in southern Scotland. The upper reaches above Earlston are the best trout water; the lower mile down to the Tweed confluence holds some late-run salmon in the autumn. The river fishes best in May and June when the olive hatches are at their peak and the wild browns are cooperative. Day tickets through Lauderdale Angling Association. A river that teaches rather than impresses — which is often the better kind.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 February → 30 November
Other water nearby · 5