Lot 2: Wark Estate - South Wark Fishings

The beat comprises approximately 2.3 miles of right hand bank fishing on Lower Tweed and lies between the Carham and West Learmouth beats on the English side and opposite The Lees, Lower and Upper North Wark on the Scottish bank. The solum of the riverbed is included in the sale. Importantly, the inclusion of the Lower North Wark beat provides 1.4 miles of double bank fishing.
South Wark has a prolific fishing history. On 15 February 1935 Lady Joicey landed 28 salmon, having hooked 42 in all, from the Jeffreys, Dub and Annaside pools. For many years that remained a UK record for the most salmon caught on rod and line in a river on one day.
The fishery includes nine named pools, perhaps the best known of which are Jeffreys, Willows and The Temple. It fishes at all heights but is generally better at medium to high river levels. There are four boats and, whereas some of the pools, including Snipe, Ladys and the beautiful streamy water of the Upper Temple, are readily waded, the rest are best fished from a boat.
The beat is normally fished with either two or three rods depending on conditions. Estate policy has been to allow spinning only in exceptional circumstances and at the boatman's discretion and, as a consequence, the vast majority of fish have been taken on the fly.
The head boatman has been employed full time since 2023 and comes highly recommended. An additional part time boatman is employed in the late spring and again from 1 September through to 31 October. As with Lower North Wark, the beat has been let as a commercial rod and line fishery with most of the fishing currently let either weekly or half weekly to tenants, many of whom return year after year.
Catch returns are as follows:
Year Salmon Sea Trout
5 year ave (2021-25) 136 18
10 year ave (2016-25) 135 18
20 year ave (2006-25) 256 23

More detailed information as to monthly and annual catch records is available in the data pack.
The brown trout and grayling fishing is included. The trout fishing in particular can be excellent. It is currently let to the Coldstream and District Angling Association until 31 January 2027.
Note: Interested parties should note that whereas South Wark is in England, Lower North Wark is in Scotland and, legally, ad medium filum presumption applies. These provide that neither side can fish across the centre line of the river without the consent of the other bank. This rule applies to the top three pools at South Wark. Although South Wark and Lower North Wark are run as two separate fisheries they are, effectively, in the same ownership and, accordingly, habitually fish across the centre line boundary. Similarly, there is an informal arrangement with The Lees for the Temple pool with both banks fishing across the medium filum.

THE BOATHOUSE AND FISHERMEN'S QUARTERS
For many years the Boathouse has been occupied by the head boatman for the South Wark beat. It comprises a detached, one and a half storeyed dwelling occupying a pleasant private position at the head of the riverbank at the extreme north west corner of the village.
Visiting fishermen meet and eat in the property long known as "The Fishermen's' Quarters" which is attached to the north side of the house. Both properties are built out of stone and slate with a later flat roofed cavity built addition to the rear of the house and all walls are either rendered or harl pointed and painted white. Both are substantially double glazed and full oil fired central heating is provided to the house.
The accommodation within the house comprises:
Ground Floor
Front entrance porch; dining room; sitting room including fireplace with tiled inlay and surround; inner connecting passage; well equipped kitchen; two bedrooms; bathroom containing white three piece suite.
First Floor
The first floor accommodation is heavily coombed and includes a double bedroom with a dormer window to the west and a store.
The accommodation within the Fishermen's Quarters includes:
Front entrance porch; connecting passage; boot room; well equipped galley kitchen; spacious dining/sitting room with separate entrance vestibule to the north, fireplace housing wood burning stove; two WCs.
There is a small garden surround laid principally to lawn. A private hardcore road is shared with the adjoining properties and culminates in a gravelled car parking area for approximately six vehicles adjacent to the house. Additionally, there are various outbuildings including a single garage, boatman's bothy, former fish larder (now store) and a small kennel range.


Tenure: Freehold