TweedStart
TweedStart is the Tweed Foundation’s angling initiative aimed at getting people of all ages participating in natural history and game angling throughout the Tweed catchment. It particularly focusses on developing young anglers, encouraging children to take an interest in the ecology of the River Tweed and making them aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy river system for fishing.
TweedStart is currently implemented in two ways, through TweedStart Days and through online resources.
TweedStart Days
You will learn about the Salmon life cycle and the importance of fishing in the Scottish Borders, go pond dipping and learn about freshwater invertebrates, learn how to tie your own fishing flies and try your hand at catching a fish whilst learning the basics of fly fishing.
TweedStart Days are based at venues across the catchment including Kailzie Trout Fishery in Peebles, The Roxburghe Hotel’s Trout Fishery near Kelso and Chatton Trout Fishery. The fisheries have easy access and facilities including a loch for fishing, ponds for pond dipping, a classroom and toilets.
New for Summer 2023 is TweedStart Plus, a four week course which includes loch and river fishing, fly dressing and entomology. Make a donation to TweedStart Plus.
TweedStart Online Resources
We have prepared teaching materials for primary schools so that the River Tweed’s natural history, biology and geography can used as part of school project work. This resource can be used on its own to teach children about the river or in conjunction with TweedStart days. The Pack has been produced by the Tweed Foundation, in association with the Berwick Community Trust, and provides an exciting new teaching resource about the River Tweed for primary school teachers in both England and in Scotland.
Whilst the Pack retains a distinctly ‘River Tweed’ flavour, and is primarily aimed at the North Northumberland and Scottish Borders schools, many of the resources could easily be used, or adapted, for any primary school lesson in the UK. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with outdoor field days.