About the River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board
The River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board is dedicated to the sustainable management of salmon and sea trout angling in the catchment. We work collaboratively with stakeholders to implement suitable conservation strategies, deliver habitat improvements, encourage responsibe angling, and promote the fishery locally and nationally.
The Board is empowered by and operates in accordance with the provisions of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003. We also follow guidance issued by Fishery Management Scotland and are advised by Ayrshire Rivers Trust on matters relating to habitat and ecology.
Who we are
The current Board was elected at the triennial meeting on the 23rd February 2023. The next triennial elections will take place within 3 years of that date and will be announced in advance on this web site along with instructions for those seeking nomination to the Board in 2026.
Current Board members
- Lady Jenny Fergusson (Chair)
- Sir Patrick Hunter Blair
- John Dalrymple Hamilton
- Douglas Waugh
- Graeme Scobie (anglers representative).
Clerk to the Board - Stuart Brabbs
Bailiff Cordinator - Thomas Thompson
Advisers to the Board - Struan Candlish and Carolyn Bryce from Ayrshire Rivers Trust
The Fishing
The Salmon and Sea trout fishing season opens on the 25th February and runs until 31st October. The trout season opens on the 15th March and closes on the 6th October.
Permits are required to fish for both trout and salmon.
There is very good trout and salmon fishing on the Water of Girvan with 29 beats on the river although some of these are not fished. Fishing is often available through clubs and private lets by arrangement with the owners.
As we receive this information, we will provide details of where day and season permits are available on Club beats or where syndicate beats may have rods available from time to time.
Calling Notices for upcoming meetings
We will post the date, time and location for Board meetings on this page.
Next Board Meeting will take place on 3rd February 2026.
NOTICE OF NEXT BOARD MEETING:
Triennial Election
From: The Clerk to the River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board, c/o Ayrshire Rivers Trust, 2 Crosshill Cottages, Near Mauchline KA5 5HJ
Email: clerk@rivergirvandistrictsalmonfisheryboard.co.uk Telephone 01290 518130
You are hereby given formal notice of theTriennial Meeting of Qualified Proprietors of the
River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board:
DATE: 3rd February 2026
TIME: 7.00pm
MEETING TYPE: Board Meeting Triennial Elections
VENUE: The Carrick Centre, Culzean Rd, Maybole KA19 7DE
The purpose of the meeting is to elect or re-elect members for the new Board. This meeting is open to the public. It would be helpful in planning seating etc. if you would contact the Clerk to the Board as detailed above, if you are interested in attending.
Nominations to Board from Qualified proprietors must reach the Clerk in writing no later than the 26th January 2026.
The new Board will co-opt at least one representative of salmon anglers following the establishment of the new Board where possible.
As soon as possible thereafter, elected members and co-opted representatives shall elect a convenor from among the representatives of qualified proprietors.
Qualified Proprietors may nominate a mandatory.
All in accordance with provisions set out in the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 each season.
Minutes from meetings will be available here. The link below takes you to our downloads page.
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We will publish minutes from all meetings here. As the web site is new, we will only publish approved minutes from Sept 2025 onwards.