Fishing Day Tickets at Smithston – Frequently Asked Questions

Smithston Fishings Club welcomes visiting anglers to the River Doon near Patna in Ayrshire, south-west Scotland.  Salmon and trout day tickets are available, subject to the seasons, availability and the Club’s rules.  Our water offers 37 named pools across three fishing beats.

Can I buy a day ticket for fishing on the River Doon?

Yes.  Smithston Fishings Club offers visitor day tickets for salmon or trout fishing on the Smithston Water. You can check available dates and book through our Buy Visitor Permit Page.

Do I need to join Smithston Fishings Club to fish for a day?

No.  Visiting anglers can purchase a day permit without becoming Club members. Your permit authorises you to fish on the booked date, subject to the allocated beats and Club rules.

How do I book a Smithston fishing day ticket?

Open the Buy Visitor Permit Page, select an available date and beat rota, then choose salmon or trout fishing.  Follow the booking instructions to complete your purchase. T he visitor rota shows the morning and afternoon beats for your day.

How much does a fishing day ticket cost?

Trout day tickets are currently £15 per day.  Salmon day-ticket prices are shown for individual dates in the booking calendar.  Please check the calendar for the price and availability of your preferred day before booking.

Where is Smithston Water and ow do I get there?

Smithston Water is on the River Doon near Patna, Ayrshire.  Access to the fishing cabin is through Carnochan Farm, reached from the A713 via Patna. Follow our directions Directions to Smithston, including the route through the farm and along the river track.

The cabin’s published location is 55.38047, -4.51286, with OS grid reference NS 408 124 and What3words: sends.bends.spill .  Please close gates behind you.  The fishings are on a working farm.

Which fishing beat will I use?

Smithston has three beats: Top ‘A’, Middle ‘B’ and Bottom ‘C’.  Each beat accommodates two rods, giving a maximum of six across the fishery.  Your booking identifies your morning and afternoon beats, with fishing starting at 8.30am, changeover at 1.00pm and normal close at 5.30pm, with fishing onto the evening allowed by prior arrangement.

When is the fishing season, and can I fish on Sundays?

The published River Doon salmon season is 11 February to 31 October inclusive. The brown trout season is 15 March to 6 October.  Smithston does not permit fishing on Sundays.  Visitor-ticket availability may cover a shorter period than the fishing season, so check before booking.

When are trout day tickets available?

Our trout-fishing page currently advertises visitor trout tickets until the end of June, with April, May and June highlighted as rewarding months.  Please check availability on the booking page or Contact Us before arranging your visit.

Is Smithston suitable for fly fishing, and is spinning allowed?

Fly fishing is encouraged. Spinning is permitted on the Top and Middle Beats when the river gauge reads 1ft 3in or higher, and on the Bottom Beat at any river level.  Worm, prawn and shrimp fishing are prohibited.  Read the full Club Rules before fishing.

What time should I arrive, and can I fish in the evening?

For your first visit, arrival at the cabin between 8.30am and 8.45am is recommended. There is no formal daily starting time, and visitors are welcome to fish in the evening. Coordinate with anyone sharing your beat and leave the cabin tidy and secure.

Are parking and a fishing cabin available?

Yes. Anglers may park appropriately within the cabin compound and use the cabin for shelter, rest and meals.  It is not overnight accommodation.  Please follow the access and security instructions provided for your visit.

Is a ghillie included with my day ticket?

A ghillie is not normally provided. Anglers may make their own arrangements or arrange a briefing with the River Keeper. If you would like assistance before visiting, please Contact the Club.

Do I need to submit a catch and fishing-effort return?

Yes.  Every angler must record catches and fishing effort.  Please report the time you spent fishing even if you caught nothing.  The Return may be submitted online following the link sent to you by email.

What booking confirmation should I carry?

Carry your booking confirmation or invoice acknowledgement while fishing and be ready to show it if requested.  Written authorisation may be carried electronically.  All visitors must comply with the Club Rules and booking Terms and Conditions.

Can I cancel my day-ticket booking?

Refunds depend on the circumstances.  For emergency cancellations a full refund may be given.  For non-emergency cancellations more than seven days ahead, a refund may be given if the ticket can be resold.  For non-emergency cancellations less than seven days ahead, the ticket price is forfeited.  Emergency refunds are at the Factor’s discretion. Read the full Terms and Conditions before booking.

Who should I contact about booking or visiting?

Please use our Contact Form. Booking enquiries are handled by the Factor; please do not contact individual Club or Management Committee members directly.

Check availability and book your fishing day ticket.

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I hope this all make sense and is consistent with the information already offered on the site.

Please could you set the following information be included in the Confirmation Documentation for a Day Ticket.  I don’t think we explicitly ask Day Ticket Holders to submit a Catch Return.

CATCH RETURN FOR DAY TICKETS

If you fish the Smithston Water on a Day-ticket  please complete a Catch Return, even if you have caught no fish.

Smithston Fishings Club is required to submit an annual return to the Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government. Your information helps us provide an accurate record of catches and the time spent fishing on the water.

If you follow the link sent to you by email, hopefully, you will find this quick and easy.

We would be grateful if you could ensure your return is completed and submitted promptly following your day on the river..

Thank you and all best wishes.