East Lothian Angling Association (ELAA) - River Tyne

The East Lothian Angling Association controls around 15 miles of fishing on the River Tyne and key tributaries, offering a wild and varied fishery in a lowland East Lothian setting. The river is no longer stocked and is managed as naturally as possible, with riparian growth left in place for the benefit of invertebrates and the wider ecosystem. It is best known for brown trout, but sea trout and the occasional salmon also feature. The Tyne is not usually a difficult river to fish, but it does reward anglers who think carefully about current seams, feeding lies and changing river moods.

Brown trout are the main draw, especially from late April through July when fish are easier to locate and hatches are stronger. Sea trout provide additional interest, particularly in the lower river and during summer nights, while salmon are only occasional. The fishery suits a range of methods within its rules, including dry fly, spider fishing, Euro nymphing and bait on a fly rod. Because there is so much water and most anglers settle on favourite stretches, there is room for many styles and approaches. The upper, middle and lower sections all fish differently, which adds to the Tyne's appeal.

The ELAA manages the Tyne as a genuinely wild fishery. There is no stocking, no routine strimming and the bankside undergrowth is left to benefit invertebrates and the wider food chain. The association works proactively with the Forth Rivers Trust on habitat improvement and barrier issues, especially around Knowes. New fencing in places such as Westfield has already helped muddy banks recover. Anglers are strongly encouraged to release fish carefully, complete detailed catch returns and follow the Keep'em Wet approach. The fish are wild and should be treated with great care and respect.

The Tyne is easy to reach and has plenty of parking and path access, but anglers should still come prepared for some pushing through undergrowth in the warmer months. Rubber soles are strongly recommended because of the amount of wet grass on the approaches. The best fishing often comes after the river has dropped and cleared following rain, ideally below the average Nungate gauge height of around 0.7. Chest waders are generally unnecessary, though a wading stick can be useful in some runs. New anglers can also contact the association through Facebook for advice on where to start for different methods.