River Tay, near Stormontfield. The Fishponds beat starts just upstream from Fishponds Cottage and extends for about 2,100 yards downstream to a point just below Stormontfield, just downstream from the mouth of the Luncarty Mill Lade.
The Fishponds beat is fished in two parts, known as Fishponds (upper beat) and Knowesbank (lower beat) and with the benefit of the reciprocal arrangement with the proprietors of the opposite bank (Upper Redgorton), anglers will fish Fishponds and Knowesbank on alternate days, except during June when the fishing is single (left) bank only.
The Fishponds beat includes the following 20 pools which offer a wide variety of fishing.
FISHPONDS
Black Rock, Black Craigs, Lodge End, Benchil Green, Fishponds Green, Well Hole, Lindy and Alec's Hole.
Fishponds beat, being the upper beat, provides the angler with excellent, streamy, fly water on both banks. Moving down the beat into slightly deeper water as you come down towards Knowesbank, is where the floating devon or upstream toby can work with great success.
KNOWESBANK
Fireshot, March Hole, Hedge End, Red Brae, Knowes Bank, Cochrane's Hole, Shochie Mouth, Schochie Green, Luncarty Pool, The Eddy, Boat Pool and Scheme Pool.
Knowesbank is the lower and longer beat of the two, which has a varied selection of water for fly and spinning in all heights. The beat starts at the Fireshot in front of the hut and is perfect for the fly on both banks. Luncarty & Five Trees pools are large holding pools where all methods are productive.
2021 Availability
May 14 - 2 rods - Online
May 26 - 2 Rods - Online
June 14, 15, 16 - 2 Rods - Ballot
June 21, 22, 23 - 2 Rods - Ballot
June 29, 30 - 2 Rods - Ballot
The beat fishes double bank (with beat rotation) until 29 May when the boat is taken off and it reverts to left (east) bank only from 31 May to 26 June. Double bank fishing (with beat rotation) resumes from Monday 28 June.
Beat Rotation (15 Jan to 29 May, and 28 Jun to 15 Oct 2020) - Upper beat fished Tue, Thu & Sat, Lower beat fished Mon, Wed & Fri.
NB Until further notice, the access to the normal fishing hut parking is via a combination lock on the gate. Details on permit.
Safety & General Advice
Members should report to the ghillie Iain Kirk (tel: 07974 375474) at the fishing hut between 8.30am and 9:00am. This hut is located on the left (east) bank; see access details below. PDAA members must park at the hut.
NB Ghillie service is not included in PDAA's arrangement. However, members must follow any instructions given by the ghillie.
Access
From Perth head north on the A93 towards Scone Palace (signposted Blairgowrie and Braemar). Soon after passing the entrance to Scone Palace, turn left on a minor road (signposted Waulkmill and Stormontfield). Follow this road for 1.5 miles then fork left on an even smaller road (signposted Colenhaugh, Beetling Mill, Fishponds).
Continue through the village of Colenhaugh (please drive carefully) and go straight ahead (marked Private Road), bear right past the old mill, then sharp left on a long, straight, single track road. The Fishponds hut is reached via the third metal gate on the left (signposted Fishponds). There is a second gate just before the hut - please close both behind you, there is often livestock in the field.