Langholm was home to the Esk and Liddle Fisheries Association which regulated angling in its rivers, renowned for salmon and trout.

The association determined:

• Rules and regulations.
• Opening and closing dates for angling in each river section.
• Prices of angling tickets.

The River Esk flows south-east through Eskdale (a dale being a wide valley) then south to the Solway Firth. It is sometimes described as the ‘Border Esk’ to distinguish it from the ‘Lothian Esk’ which flows north-east into the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh.

The Liddle (now spelled Liddel) passes through Liddesdale and joins the Esk, both of which form part of the Scotland-England border.