River Calder

The River Calder is a perfect example of what a local river can offer to the surrounding community and is the epitome of a Scottish wild brown trout fishery. The Calder runs several miles through rolling farmland, steep tree-lined banks and deep gorges. The river had a mixed personality as do many rivers; most runs have slow water running over deep holes and depressions where top of the water sport can be immense. On the other hand, there are some stretches with fast boiling water running over the shallow flats, an excellent place to use French nymphing techniques which involves the use of long specialist monofilament lines and light nymphs.

The River Calder has many desirable features be it the deep and arcane pools, the thundering waterfalls or the natural dams formed by trees and large rocks which make for excellent habitat and cover for the indigenous wild brown trout. The West Calder runs through the scenic Calder Glen country park area which runs 5 kilometres- every kilometre unique in its own right, varying from gentle slack water over undisturbed gravel beds to turbulent water parting through large pultruding bed rocks and boulders; carved from many years of spate. The Calder is an exceptional river which offers prime fishing opportunities; with light line fly-fishing tactics such as Tenkara, Light dry fly work and New Zealand indictor nymphing techniques proving to take most fish, but yet all simple means of catching the native brown trout which inhabit the Calder water. The river has an established population of naturalised trout ranging from small half pound fish to fish well in the 2-3lb range; these fish being predominantly cannibalistic fry feeders. Fish of this size can be caught using streamer flies which imitate small bait fish such as minnows and stickle-backs

East Kilbride Angling Club lease the rights to fishing the River Calder on a yearly basis and offer both full and day ticket permits, catering for both the local and visiting angler alike. Day tickets cost a mere £5 and can be purchased directly from the gift shop situated in the Calder Glen court yard; and can now also be obtained from East Kilbride Angler, Gil Faird at E.K .M.O.T, Glen Burn Rd, College Milton . The club also

offers full membership priced at £8 for junior members under the age of 18, and adult members at £17 per annum.

You simply will not find this quality of fishing cheaper than this, making it incredibly attractive with the way the economy is today. The river is stocked yearly with large stock fish ranging from 3/4lb to 1 1/2lb. The angling club host regular outings and events throughout the trout season to different trout fishing destinations being trout fishery’s, both from both boat and bank to river fishing on Scotland’s prestigious rivers. At the end of the year there is the famous Grayling outing, which has proven popular with both club members and guests of the club. The club have monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month in the Calderwood community centre from7:30pm to 9:00pm. East Kilbride also runs winter fly-tying evening’s in the Calderwood from 7:00pm-9:00pm and finishing just before the trout season begins.

East Kilbride Angler Josh Maitland, passionate angler and amateur freshwater biologist is currently working along with the Clyde River Foundation in river fly monitoring techniques of the River Clyde and its tributaries. The Clyde River Monitoring Partnership (C.R.I.M.P) Is a river monitoring course which is coordinated by Lesley Deans and is based at Glasgow University. River monitoring the Calder’s fly life and through the use of sampling techniques is an excellent way of supervising the health of the river, thus dictating the overall health and ecological status of the Calder system- which plays a huge role in determining whether the river can support the presence of wild brown trout and other organisms that may inhabit the water. Monitoring any rivers fly-life through indicator species can indicate where pollution incidents may have occurred, these results can be used to help prevent any pollution incident from happening again. From the data obtained, it is safe to say there is an abundance and wide range of water born invertebrate’s and high scoring organisms, which with their presence, assures water is of a high quality and can sustain a wide variety of freshwater life. If you are interested in joining our club, please contact me through Facebook. You can also contact us through our Facebook page and or via our discussion board also on Facebook. Check out our YouTube videos on Trout ‘N’ About- you will find videos of fishing the Calder and what exactly it can produce. Pop-in to one of our meetings on the second Tuesday of each month.

By Joshua Maitland ~ copy right 2017~

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