Bowden Springs Trout Fishery & Cottages
A popular West Lothian-based fishery with a two-acre fly pond and a five-acre bait pond which are home to trout of over 12lbs.
Bowden is run by Jim and Jacqui Gargaro, along with Mattie, Morgan, Flo and an assorted band of cats and interested parties
Jim and Jacqui took on the fishery in 2004, and in 2006 were voted one of the top three fisheries in Scotland by readers of Trout Fisherman, sponsors of the popular Troutmaster Competition.
In addition to improving bankside facilities and removing some of the more intrusive vegetation, they have established a deserved reputation for the qaulity of the Bowden fishing experience. They have also now added three self-catering cottages to the site, so you can spend even longer here!
OPEN SEVEN DAYS. we accept cash but we now have a card machine. No night fishing.
Ring 07836 209050 for information (please don't message). Open from 8.30 am.
Three, three-bed holiday cottages are for let on site and phone 07712 877 317 for availability.
FISHING PRICES: CASH ONLY: catch and release: £18 for four hours: £22 for six hours; £25 for eight hours
FLY LOCH: four hours, kill two fish £22; six hours, kill three fish £27
eight hours, kill four fish £32; eight hours, kill five fish £37
Children (under-14) sharing the bag are £5 each
No brown trout to be killed and all rainbows over 5lbs to be returned. All hooks to be barbless and minimum leader strength to be 8lbs.
Catch and release may be practised after your bag limit has been reached.
BAIT LOCH: every fish caught on the bait loch MUST be taken away: two hours, kill two fish £15; four hours, kill three fish £20; six hours, kill four fish £25; eight hours, kill five fish £30. Children (under-14) sharing the bag are £5 each. We normally have bait (maggot) supplies in our tackle shop which has a selection of Powerbait.
NO SPINNING: No spinning is allowed anywhere on site but you can fly fish on the bait pond as well as the fly pond.
BACKGROUND: Bowden has prolific hatches of damsel flies and nymph imitations are popular with anglers who come from all over Scotland to fish.
Dry fly anglers have success with hoppers, emergers and sedge imitations. Both lochs are regularly stocked with quality trout from the spring-fed Yarrow Fisheries in the Borders. See videos on this
site.
LOCATION: The fishery is on the A706 from Linlithgow Bridge signposted Lanark. The fishery is around three miles from Linlithgow on the left.
VOUCHERS: Available for gifts etc. Give us a call.
OUTINGS: More than happy to talk to groups about visiting.
Finally, you do not have to cast far to hook into fish at Bowden.