River Ericht

This very productive tributary of the River Isla rises on the Cairnwell mountain a few miles south of Braemar. Initially known as the Shee Water, it then becomes known as the Blackwater. At Bridge of Cally, the Blackwater merges with the River Ardle, which rises in the hills to the west of Glen Shee. Both the Ardle and Blackwater start in open hill country but, for most of the lengths, are bouldery rivers lined by alders. Both rivers are very productive of juvenile salmon, making the Ericht system the most productive upland salmon river in the district.

Below Bridge of Cally, the river is now known as the Ericht. About 3 miles downstream, the Ericht flows through the incredible Craighall Gorge, reputed to be the deepest in Scotland. A small fall known as Craighall Linn was formerly considered largely impassable to salmon. Also, a few miles downstream at Blairgowrie, there were a number of impassable weirs which meant salmon did not even get up that far. But, in the early 20th century, weirs were removed and passes were installed on others to help salmon progress. Finally, around 1960, the Hydro Board paid for Craighall Linn to be blasted and thereafter the Ericht system was rapidly colonised to become the very productive salmon river it is today.

Below Blairgowrie, for the final 5 miles of its journey, the Ericht winds its way across flatter productive farming country again before merging with the placid River Isla.

The Ericht is a spring salmon and summer grilse river. In the spring the best of the fishing tends to be in the lower reaches below Blairgowrie and often water dependent. Otherwise many Ericht fish contribute to catches in the Isla and Tay beats like Islamouth. But, in late spring and summer, the salmon and grilse spread out upstream once it is warm enough for them to pass small waterfalls such as Cargill’s Leap at Blairgowrie. Depending on conditions, productive salmon angling can take place right up into the Shee Water; so much so, that the Board purchased the fishing rights in the uppermost reaches and maintains the area as a salmon sanctuary.