The Castle Angling Club controls fishing on both banks of the Black Cart Water.
The Black Cart river runs for some six miles from its source in the Castle Semple Loch catchment,
near Lochwinnoch, to it's confluence with the River Gryffe at the "Junction Pool" which is located between Glasgow Airport and the M8 motorway.
On it's way, it skirts Howwood, Johnstone and Linwood. Most parts of the river are freely accessible.
The Black Cart consititutes part of the Clyde system and as well as indigeneous brown trout and coarse fish species,
it increasingly enjoys substantial runs of migratory sea trout and Atlantic salmon.
Brown trout levels are maintained by means of a twice-yearly stocking of prime quality mature brown trout.
Since the decline of local heavy industry through the 1970's,
the river has benefitted greatly from improvements in water quality and this has resulted in the return of migratory sea trout and salmon.
In the past the Black Cart would have been classed as typical West of Scotland "spate" river.
However, the presence of a controlled weir at Howwood has resulted in water levels being maintained at fishable levels.
The river can be considered to broadly comprise of three sections:
Castle Semple Loch to Howwood: primarily coarse fishing interest on this stretch, where roach, perch and pike can be caught in greater numbers.
The flow here is more sedate due to the weir above the village of Howwood. Normal game and coarse fishing tactics can be employed.
Howwood to Linwood: perhaps the most popular stretch for game anglers due to the number riffles,
runs, pools and lies which hold wild brown trout and harbour migratory fish after spates from July onwards.
Fly, spinning or bait are the preferred methods.
Linwood to the Gryffe junction: the water below the weir at Linwood is tidal and steadier but subject to the vagaries of the tidal cycle.
Though not as heavily fished, it can be productive for all game species. All legal fishing methods can be used
We consider ourselves to be a friendly open club and new members are always welcome; to include day ticket anglers who might wish to see what's on offer before considering investing in a season ticket. Please feel free to submit questions using the email link and one of the committee will respond by return.
In everyone's interests: PLEASE REMEMBER TO RESPECT THE RIVER AND TAKE ALL LITTER HOME!!
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