River South Esk

Description of the River South Esk

The South Esk 45 mile long river which is known for its excellent sea trout fishing, although salmon are on the increase in recent years.

It starts high in the Grampians at Loch Esk and flows through Glen Clova passing through Clova, Cortachy, Finavon, Brechin and  enters the sea at the Montrose Basin at the Bridge of Dun. There is a significant weir just downstream of Brechin.

Tributaries include the White Water, Burn of Glen Moy, Prosen Water and Noran Water.

Loch Esk

Photo © Copyright Russel Wills and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Headwaters of the River South Esk towards Moulzie

Photo © Copyright Karen Vernon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Where the Burn of Glenmoye (AKA the Burn of Kinrive) meets with the River South Esk

Photo   © Copyright jamesnicoll and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Prosen Water near Glen Prosen Village

 Photo © Copyright Alan Morrison and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

River South Esk at Shielhill Bridge at its intersection with White Burn, just below the junction with the Prosen

Photo © Copyright Alan Morrison and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

River South Esk at Murthill

Photo © Copyright Anne Burgess and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Noran Water looking downstream from Bridge at Easter Ogil

Photo © Copyright Alan Morrison and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

South Esk immediately below the confluence with Noran Water with the river in spate

Photo © Copyright Anne Burgess and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

River South Esk, Middle Drums

Photo © Copyright Trish Steel and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

South Esk by Brechin.

 Photo © Copyright Andrew Wood and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

River South Esk from the Bridge of Dun looking towards Montrose Basin

Photo © Copyright Andrew Stuart and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Local Tips and Advice on the River South Esk

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Fishing Links for the South Esk

• Aldbar Beat South Esk The Derbyshire County Angling Club has sea trout and salmon fishing on the Aldbar beat of the River South Esk in Angus for members.
• Brechin Angling Club The club has fishings on Loch Saugh, 18 acres for brown trout only and West Water a tributary of the North Esk. The Club has approximately 8 miles which guests can fish from one bank only. Brown trout, sea trout and salmon. Day tickets and Memberships at very reasonable cost.
• Esk Disctrict Salmon Fishery Board The Esk District Salmon Fishery Board (EDSFB) is the statutory body with responsibility for the management of salmon and sea trout stocks in the Rivers North and South Esk.
• Finavon Castle Water Day ticket salmon and sea trout fishing on the South Esk near Forfar.
• Fish Esks Comprehensive site powered by FishPal covering the North and South Esk.
• House of Dun Water Fly Fishing on South Esk for sea trout and salmon. Day tickets available at reasonable cost.
• Inshewan Estate The Inshewan Fishings beat is, without doubt, one of the most picturesque, varied and prolific beats on the South Esk and offers salmon and sea trout fishing.
• Kinnaird Castle The estate has five miles of double-bank salmon and sea trout fishing on the River South Esk with something to suit everyone’s ability and every pocket, starting from 1 mile below Brechin and stretching to the Montrose basin.
• The Esk Rivers and Fisheries Trust Does conservation work on the North Esk, South Esk, Lunan Water and River Bervie.
• The River South Esk Catchment Partnership Partnership of orgnisations f developing a catchment management plan for the River South Esk officially formed in April 2008.