The arrival of an ingenious and innovative new boat will for the first time allow access to disabled anglers for fishing on much of the River Tweed. This follows over a year of development and collaboration between the Wheelyboat Trust, the Tweed Foundation and River Tweed Commissioners. The end result is a modified ‘Tweed’ boat for disabled anglers to use in river conditions with fast moving water. Other Wheelyboat Trust designed boats are primarily for use on still waters.

“Tweedability I”, which has been funded by the Tweed Foundation, will be available to any Tweed beat which has wheelchair bound or less able-bodied fishers who wish to take advantage of it.  The boat is safe, comfortable, easy to use and handles well; in addition to oars for the boatman’s use during fishing, it also has an outboard motor to help move between fishing pools. 

Boarding, fishing and disembarkation can all be achieved with the assistance of a single boatman. Training will be provided as continuous communication between boatman and angler are key to the smooth operation of the boat, especially when getting the angler into and out of the boat using the specially designed hydraulic ramp. The boat allows anglers to fish from the comfort of their own wheelchair. Provided adequate access arrangement can be made, the boat will be bookable by beats and delivered by River Tweed Commissioners staff at the beginning of the fishing week.  All running costs will be met by the Tweed Foundation, which will request a small donation from beats which make use of it.

Andrew Douglas-Home, Chairman of the Tweed Foundation, commented: “This is a unique development which, for the first time, will allow less-able and elderly anglers to fish large parts of Tweed”.

Nick Yonge, Director of the Tweed Foundation, explained: “The launch of the Tweed Wheelyboat marks the culmination of more than a year’s collaborative work between the River Tweed Commissioners, the Tweed Foundation and the Wheelyboat Trust. From the start we were determined to provide a river boat that would enable disabled anglers to enjoy salmon fishing from their own chair and to overcome the practical problems that currently prevent them from doing so. I am delighted with the boat design, which has been developed, as it enables safe and comfortable angling for people with a wide range of disabilities; we now hope that the Wheely Boat Trust will supply many rivers throughout the UK with this boat”.

Andy Beadsley, Director of the Wheelyboat Trust: “We are sure that this new boat will overcome many of the physical barriers faced by disabled anglers. It has the potential to transform the angling opportunities available to disabled people on rivers across the UK”.

If the boat proves a success, Tweed will be adding to the fleet.  Other Scottish rivers are watching the development with interest and two have already expressed a desire to order a boat from The Wheelyboat Trust once the prototype has proved itself.

“Tweedability 1” was formally launched by TV celebrity and keen salmon angler Chris Tarrant on the Lower Birgham beat  on Tuesday 10th October. Chris Tarrant also pledged to help raise the significant funds required to purchase 3 or 4 more wheelyboats for Tweed.

SEE THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE LAUNCH