Fishing News for rivers Dee, Findhorn, Spey, and Avon - Season 2008

Latest Report

Fishing New Update, 26th April, 2008

Since my last update we have seen a good steady build up of the Spring run over these last four weeks. The winter weather returned with a vengeance and we have experienced some extremely cold days and nights with significant heavy snowfall. This heavy snow has come at a perfect time and has given us excellent river levels over these last weeks, as the snow has been melting away slowly. Even up until last week, the snow conditions have apparently extended the ski season up in the Cairngorms and I heard that Aviemore was offering some of the best skiing in Europe! Hard to believe for mid April, however, this is excellent news for our Spring salmon fishing in this part of the Highlands.

For the week commencing March 24th, I was back on Altyre Estate on the River Findhorn with regular clients, Paul Whitehouse and Daryl Ewer. On Monday, March 24th, the river was running at a perfect 1' 3" clear with perfect clarity and falling. Unfortunately, the weather was far from perfect with driving snowfall and strong northerly winds giving a Baltic wind chill factor. It was, to put it mildly, a depressingly cold day with no sign of a fish and by 3:00 p.m. rod rings, reels, and fly lines were all frozen. Therefore, it was time to abandon the fishing and head for the bar. By Tuesday, March 25th, conditions were looking much better with the river at 1' 1", steady and clear with the temperature reading 36° F. The weather was feeling decidedly better with sunny spells, but still a cold north westerly breeze. In the morning, Paul hooked and lost a fish of around 12 lbs. in the Roan Pool. Then after lunch, Paul hooked another strong fish in the Roan Pool, which was around 10 lbs. and sea-liced. This fish was taken on a size 6 double Orjok, fished on a sink tip line. It was one of those classic deep Findhorn Springers and both Paul and Daryl were delighted. By Wednesday, March 26th, the river had barely fallen and was reading at 1' steady and clear on the Forres gauge. The weather was feeling a little milder with a little breeze and feeling quite pleasant. In the morning, Daryl Ewer hooked another lovely sea-liced fish of around 9 lbs. on a size 6 cascade, again from the Roan Pool.

On Thursday, March 27th, I was joined by more regulars, Peter Grimwade, Colin Brook, John Clark and Mike Greaves. The river was still holding at 1' with excellent clarity and water temperature still at 36° F. The weather was feeling settled, sunny and almost Spring like. In the morning, it was the turn of Peter Grimwade to hook a fish of around 7 lbs. in the Roan Pool fishing an intermediate line and a Ronnie Jungle Bunny size 8 double. No more fish were caught, although, we did see fish running in Roan and Soldier's Hole. By Friday, March 28th, the weather had turned once again with heavy rain, windy and feeling very cold in the morning. However, the river level was still at 1', rising to 1' 2" by lunchtime. We saw fish in Soldier's Hole, Roehillock, and Roan Pools, but could not get a fish to take hold of our flies. By Saturday, March 29th, the river had risen and was reading 2' on the Forres gauge, falling and clearing. The water had also risen slightly to 38° F. The weather was feeling a little milder, cloudy and breezy. It was just after 5:00 p.m., when Colin Brook hooked a lovely fish of around 8 lbs. in the Roehillock Pool on a bottle brass, black and yellow tube fish on a sink tip line. Despite the difficult conditions, we were delighted with the final result and all fish were safely released.

For the week commencing March 31st, I was back on Park Estate, South bank, fishing with my client, Tim Ingram from Guildford in England. The river was running quite high with snow melt at 28 inches and falling on the Park South gauge. The water temperature was reading 40° F and the water was looking a little peat stained.

By Tuesday, April 1st, the river had fallen back to 23 inches, but after the warmer conditions on the previous day, we soon saw the river start to rise with yet more snow melt from the Cairngorms and Grampians. Again, the weather was feeling much milder and the water conditions, despite getting higher, looked good. I took Tim down to Beat 5 and it was not long before he had hooked his first ever Atlantic salmon in Bakebare Pool. It was a lovely fish of around 7 lbs. covered in long tailed sea-lice and taken on a sunray shadow on a small aluminium tube. The water continued to rise and consequently, we saw very few fish for the rest of the day, as the conditions worsened. By Wednesday, April 2nd, the river had peaked at 38 inches and began to fall slowly throughout the day. Tim pulled a couple of fish in the morning in the Upper Kirks and again we saw very few fish showing. By Thursday, April 3rd, the river had fallen back to 23 inches and was beginning to clear with the water temperature was reading 40° F. In fact, the weather suddenly took a turn for the better and by lunchtime, we were experiencing something of a mini heat wave with air temperatures peaking at around 17° C. After the appalling cold conditions of the last weeks, it actually felt quite pleasant to be fishing in shirt sleeves! This heat wave, however, was very short lived and by the following day, April 4th, we were back to full blown winter conditions. We had moved further north and were fishing on lower Pitchroy at Knockando Estate on the River Spey. Here again, the river was running a little on the high side at 2' and rising and we did not see a fish all day. By Saturday, April 5th, the weather was even worse with blizzard conditions and a bitterly cold northerly wind blowing upstream. Having endured these miserable conditions, Tim was rewarded with only one kelt from the Pollarder Pool after lunch on a sunray shadow.

For the week commencing April 7th, I was once again back on Altyre Estate on the River Findhorn with the Bill Chard and Phil Jones party. The river was running at 1' 11" and clear when we arrived, however, the weather was once again appalling with heavy rain, sleet and hail stones, which continued well into the afternoon. By 4:00 p.m. the river had risen by several feet and was running very dirty and really hopeless for fishing. By Tuesday, April 8th, the river was reading 2' 7" on the Forres gauge and looking considerably clearer. There were certainly a run of fish and we were seeing fish showing in Pallamore Island and Pallamore Pool. Unfortunately, the weather was yet again, a deluge of heavy rain throughout the day and was once again rising by late afternoon. However, Phil Jones managed to hook and release a fish of about 6 lbs. down in the tail of the Roan Pool on an Orjok brass ¾ inch tube on a sink tip line. By Wednesday, April 9th, the river had risen once again, reading 3' 4", but falling and clearing. The weather in the morning was at least mainly dry and sunny, but with some heavy showers after lunch. Yet again, we were seeing a good number of fish in Pallamore Island, but sadly, they could not entice a fish to take the fly.

By Thursday, April 10th, I was joined by another regular client, Lady Grant, from London. The river was 2' 9" falling and clearing through the day. Water conditions were looking perfect and at around 4:00 p.m., Judy hooked and landed a cracking sea-liced salmon of around 9 lbs. in the tail of Pallamore Pool on a ¾ brass Orjok tube and sink tip line. On Friday, April 11, the water level had dropped by a couple of inches to 2' 7" and looking in perfect order, once again. Even the weather was looking better, bright and sunny and really very Spring like with a cool north westerly breeze. In the late afternoon, Judy hooked and played a very big fish in the neck of Pallamore Island for some fifteen minutes before the hooks finally pulled out! By Saturday, April 12th, the river was remaining steady at 2' 6" and superb clarity with the water temperature reading 40° F. The weather had turned decidedly colder with a stiff north easterly wind. It was a day of sunny spells and heavy rain showers. Throughout the day, we had seen very few fish and by late afternoon, Judy feeling somewhat chilled, decided to call it a day.

However, I decided to fish on into the evening and asked my friend, Colin MacDonald, from Dallas to come and join me for a couple of hours. I put Colin into the top of the Pallamore Pool and I think that it was on his third cast, he got a good solid pull and hooked into his first ever Spring salmon. It was one of those classic deep Findhorn Springers of around 12 lbs. and just dripping with long tail sea-lice. He caught the fish on a brass temple dog tube on a sink tip line. Colin was absolutely delighted with his magnificent fish. We then decided to finish off the evening down on the Roan Pool where I.N. hooked another lovely sea-liced Springer of around 9 lbs. fishing a ¾ inch brass Orjok tube on a poly leader fast sink tip. So after a somewhat disappointing and slow start to the week we at least ended the week on a high note and I just had the feeling that this might well be the start of a big run of Spring salmon! Little did I know what was waiting for us through the following week!

From April 14th through April 16th, I was back on Park Estate, North Bank with a team of guests. For the same three days my good friend, Don Milne, had also invited a team of guests to fish on Altyre Estate, River Findhorn. Unfortunately, Don was away on business in the Yemen and was unable to join his friends for what was about to turn out to be an amazing three days of fishing.

Meanwhile, back at Park where the river was running high with snow melt and reading 41" on the Park gauge, falling and clearing throughout the day. The weather was really quite pleasant, being sunny with occasional showers, but with a very cold easterly wind blowing upstream. In the morning, my good friend, Nick Armstead, from Edinburgh hooked and lost two fresh fish in the Cellar Pool and then just before lunch he was finally rewarded with his first Spring salmon of the season. It was a really strong, deep salmon of around 16 lbs. taken on a small Brass Monkey and on an intermediate line. Later on in the afternoon, Willie Mair, hooked another big fish in the Cellar Pool, which gave some great sport and somehow managed to snap his leader and was gone. Having persuaded Willie to stay on and fish through the Cellar Pool one more time, I was then given the blame for him losing the fish as he said he would have been happily driving back home by then! Oh well, Willie, you can't win them all. By Tuesday, April 15th, the gauge at Park was reading 33" falling and clearing with the water temperature at 40° F. The weather remained settled, but still with persistent easterly wind blowing into our faces. Just after lunch, I.N. went up to Park Inn Pool and after briefly hooking and losing a fish, managed to entice another fish up in the tail of the pool on a sunray shadow. This was another cracking sea-liced salmon of around 13 lbs. John Fraser also got a fish of 8 lbs. from the Durris Stream later on in the afternoon. By this time, it appeared that there were certainly a good run of fish coming through the beat and plenty of fish showing in the Cellar Pool and Durris Stream. By Wednesday, April 16th, gauge was reading 31" falling slowly, but with better clarity. It was another fine day, but still with this biting cold easterly wind. I had invited my friends, Mike and Evie Glass up for the day and was delighted to see Evie hook and land a fabulous 10 lb. sea-liced Springer from the Durris Stream on a small Willie Gunn brass tube fly.

Whilst fishing at Park over these last three days, I had been receiving daily reports from my friend Don Milne, informing me of the most amazing run of fish that his guests were enjoying on Altyre, River Findhorn. During these three days, his guests, Paul Davidson, Glen Bainbridge, Stuart Rose and Steve Bellamy had hooked and landed some seventeen Spring salmon, including a monster fish of just over 28 lbs., which had been hooked and landed in the tail of the Pallamore Pool, by Steve Bellamy on Tuesday, April 15th.

Therefore, I was really excited to be back on Altyre for the three days of April 17th through 19th with my regular clients Andrew Shaw, Simon Lewin and Paul Humphries. By Thursday, April 17th, the river was running at 2' 6" falling and with excellent water clarity and the water temperature was reading 39° F. In the morning, we saw fish in Pallamore Island and Roehillock Pools, but could not get an offer. Andrew Shaw had unfortunately been delayed down south on business and had not joined us on the river until 3:00 p.m. I took him to Pallamore and within a short time he soon hooked into a lovely sea-liced fish of about 7 lbs. taken on a Purple Cascade 1" brass tube. We then went down to the Roan Pool where he hooked into another sea-liced salmon of around 10 lbs., this again on the Purple Cascade 1" brass tube. So having arrived late in the day and hooking two fresh Springers, Andrew was clearly delighted and headed back to the bar to celebrate his catch. By Friday, April 18th, the river was running at 2' 1" on the Forres gauge and yet again with excellent clarity. The weather was feeling just a little milder with some fine sunny spells. The morning was really very slow, although we had seen fish in the Roan Pool. After lunch, Paul Humphries hooked a lovely salmon of around 7 lbs. in the tail of the Roan Pool on a Temple Dog brass tube. Shortly afterwards, it was Simon Lewin's turn to hook and land a cracking Springer of about 12 lbs. again on a Temple Dog brass tube. Both Simon and Paul were jubilant. Further upstream on the Upper Beat, Andrew Shaw managed to hook and land another two salmon of 14 lbs. and 11 lbs. both from Pallamore Pool fishing a large 'Shaw to be Shaw' double hook variant. Just after 5:00 p.m., I.N. headed up to the Roehillock Pool and was soon rewarded with another cracking sea-liced salmon of around 13 lbs. hooked on the ¾ inch brass Orjok tube. By Saturday, April 19th, unfortunately, Simon and Paul had to make an early departure travelling South. With the river rising up to 2' 5", and yet again with perfect clarity, I took Andrew to fish Pallamore Island, which can be a great pool in these high water conditions. After a few minutes, Andrew hooked into a really large fish which gave great sport and was Andrew's biggest Spring salmon of about 18 lbs. The fish was hooked on a Purple Cascade, 1" brass tube fished on a sink tip line. Later, I.N. hooked and lost a big fish in the tail of Pallamore Pool just before lunch. After lunch, we headed off down to the Lower Beat where Andrew hooked another superb Spring fish of about 9 lbs. on a Temple Dog brass tube. Shortly after, I.N. hooked another fish of about 9 lbs. on a 1" brass Orjok tube. Our final tally for this amazing week was 27 Spring salmon up to 28 lbs. and with several others hooked and lost!!! Not only was this simply the most amazing run of fish, but I also have to say that the quality and condition of these salmon was superb. They were most definitely, the deepest and strongest fighting salmon I have ever seen on a Scottish river. We were certainly fortunate to get the water conditions just about perfect. In other words, we had good water levels, excellent clarity with cold snow melt water, which is as good as it gets on Altyre in April.

On Thursday, April 24th I was back on the lower beat with regular clients, Des Dunlop and Jim Bishop. The river was yet again, back up to 2' 7" and clear; water temperature holding on 40° F. However, the weather was feeling decidedly warmer with the wind blowing from the west. Jim Bishop hooked and landed his first ever Atlantic Salmon of around 9 lbs. in the Roan Pool on a Pot Belly Pig tube fished on a poly leader sink tip. After lunch, he hooked another of a similar size only to be lost at the net. Then later on in the evening, Jim hooked and landed number three from the tail of the Roan Pool. It was another cracking sea-liced fish of around 11 lbs. hooked on a Cascade Cone Head tube. It was indeed, a red letter day for Jim to hook three of these magnificent Spring salmon in one day! The following day, April 25th, we were back on the lower beat with the river at 2' 8" and falling steadily throughout the day. It was yet again, another sunny and mild morning with the water temperature just nudging up to 41°. By mid afternoon, the weather changed with the onset of heavy rain. After a slow morning, it was Des Dunlop's turn to hook his first Spring salmon of around 9 lbs. and covered in long tail sea lice. This was hooked on a Yellow and Orange Bottle Brass tube in the Roan Pool. A little later on, Des made it number two with another fish of around 7 lbs. hooked on a Orange Cone Head tube, once again from the Roan Pool. By Saturday, April 26th, the river was reading 3' 4" and rising on the Forres gauge.

The air temperature over these last few days have certainly been rising and I suspect it will not be too long now before these fish make a break for it and clear the Poolie Falls at Sluie. The water temperature today yesterday was reading just around 41° F and, therefore, I think it will not be too long before this run of fish are being caught on the Middle Beats of the Findhorn. I shall be moving up river for these next three weeks, fishing Glenferness, Coulmony and the Logie Beats. Even now, there is still ample snow on the hills above us and I see that the weather forecasts is becoming milder and unsettled. I think, therefore, that my clients arriving over these next few weeks could well enjoy continued great sport and the prospects are looking outstanding. I shall be updating the 'Fishing News Page', as always, in a few weeks time.

I still have some fishing availability for the week commencing June 9th up on Drynachan Beats of Cawdor Estate for 2-3 rods. This may be taken in either a 3 or 6 day slot. Given good water levels, then this could be potentially a great week on the Middle of the Findhorn River. I also have some odd days fishing for 1-2 rods on Park Estate for May 20th and 21st. I have 2 rods available on Altyre Estate for July 10th-12th. I also have availability on Drynachan on Cawdor Estates for July 17th-19th. There is also availability for 1-2 rods for the week commencing July 21st on Altyre Estate.

Most of our lodge parties are fully booked, however, we do have availability for up to four rods with catered accomodation in the Wooden House and fishing at Glenferness Estate for the week commencing August 31st - September 7th. If you would like further information, please contact ian@speycaster.net.

For the person who has everything, you may like to take advantage of purchasing a bespoke gift voucher. These are available for any of the above fishing opportunities and for any occasion. Please contact ian@speycaster.net for further information on dates and prices.

Fishing News Update - 23rd March, 2008

I am delighted to report that the early Spring run seems to be building on the rivers Dee, Findhorn, and Spey since my last update earlier this month. I was guiding over on Park Estate on the Dee with regular client, Robert Booth from Cambridge. He was fishing with me for three days from March 3rd - March 5th. River and water conditions were really ideal with the water height at 24" on the Park gauge and water temperature at 38° F with perfect clarity. Even the weather took a turn for the better, remaining settled, sunny, bright and cold. We certainly saw some good numbers of fresh fish running, but unfortunately were not able to touch one, apart from a couple of kelts. By Tuesday, March 4th, the river was still falling at 19" and after the bitterly cold night before, the water temperature had fallen back to 36° F, which is absolutely ideal for us at Park at this time of the year. It was feeling decidedly colder with sunny spells and snow showers in the morning. Fishing down through Redwell Pool and just below the Ash Tree, Robert got a pull off a fish, which took off like a rocket. After a good battle, I was able to net a cracking 8 lb. sea-liced salmon taken on a one inch Black and Yellow Brass Tube on a sink tip line. Robert was over the moon with his first fish of the year! By Wednesday, March 5th, the river was still falling back at 16" on the Park gauge. However, the weather took a turn for the worse today, becoming colder and a strong north westerly wind blowing downstream making casting conditions very difficult. Yet again we saw good numbers of fresh fish running and apart from one large well mended kelt from the Long Pool, we were not able to touch a fresh fish.

On March 6th, I was fishing with Paul Barnard from Edinburgh. The river was reading 15" on the Park gauge and water temperature was 38° F. It was a perfect fishing day, cloudy, mild and more or less windless. I was fishing at Park Inn in the morning and at a little after 10:30 a.m. with Keith Cromar standing right beside me, I hooked and landed a lovely fresh Spring salmon of around 7 lbs., hooked on a Sun Ray Shadow. By the afternoon, conditions were changing a little and becoming a little breezier and the river was started rising to 27" by late afternoon, which must have been the effect of snow melting up in the mountains above us. However, I managed to hook three kelts in the House Pool and lost another big fish in the Cellar, which I was fairly convinced, was a fresh fish.

By Friday, March 7th and the river was still reading 27" on the gauge and falling. The water clarity, however, was still perfect, but the weather conditions were far from perfect with the onset of gale force winds coming from the northwest. I was fishing with my good friend, Nick Armstead from Gamefish in Edinburgh. Despite the appalling weather conditions, I managed to hook and land another lovely sea-liced silver fish from the House Pool, once again taken on a Sun Ray Shadow. Shortly after lunch, Nick, fishing the Lower Kirks, also hooked into another large fresh fish, which took off down the pool and threw the hooks before he could get the fish under control. By 5:00 p.m., the river was beginning to rise again, showing 30" on the gauge.

By Saturday, March 8th, the river had fallen back to 24" still with excellent clarity, but with a higher water temperature up to 40° F. It was yet again, feeling bitterly cold with strong winds blowing. I was joined by Jonathan Sutton from Edinburgh. Just before 11:00 a.m., whilst fishing just below the Ash Tree, on the Redwell Pool, I got a good solid pull of a fish, which turned out to be another cracking sea-liced fish of around 12 lbs. It put up a tremendous battle before being netted by Keith Cromar and again hooked on the deadly Sun Ray Shadow! Just before lunch, it was Jonathan's turn to hook another sea-liced salmon of around 10 lbs. in the tail of the Cellar Pool on a Sun Ray Shadow. Later on in the afternoon at around 5:00 p.m., Jonathan managed to make it a double with another salmon of around 9 lbs., yet again, taken on a Sun Ray Shadow and in the Cellar Pool. In terms of Spring salmon fishing, it had indeed been a 'Red Letter Day' with a total of 7 salmon recorded for Park Estate for the day. We had also seen far more, fresh fish showing throughout the day and one got the feeling that the Spring run was just starting to build in numbers.

I was back on Park Estate from March 10th-12th with Jonathan Asquith from London. It was a difficult few days with inclement weather conditions on Monday 10th with heavy rains and gale force winds making casting very hard work. The river level was at 24" and water temperature of 36° F. By Tuesday March 11th, we were amazed to see that the river had not gone into a massive flood and was indeed reading 42" on the gauge, but with some colour in it. Weather wise, it was a far better day with some fine sunny spells still cold but with no wind. Jonathan was unlucky to lose two fish on the Durris Stream in the morning and the fish were not cooperating throughout the day. We were certainly seeing far fewer fish than we had compared to the week before. By Wednesday, March 12th, the river had fallen back to 32" and beginning to clear. However, we were again back with the gale force winds and bitterly cold conditions. Yet again, fishing was again much slower with very few fish seen. After lunch, Jonathan hooked and lost yet another fish in the House Pool just before his departure back to London. I felt a little frustrated for him as he is certainly a very fine Speycaster and I think that the conditions with the yo-yoing water levels had contributed to this slowdown. However, Jonathan had clearly been delighted with his three days at Park and hopefully will be returning another time in more favourable conditions.

Meanwhile, on the River Findhorn, the Spring run has certainly been gaining momentum. I have heard of at least nine Spring salmon hooked and landed on the Forres Angling Association Water. This includes a monster fish estimated to be 22 lbs. or more hooked and released in the Red Craig Pool by my very good friend, Dr. David Sneddon from Forres. I also hear that the Darnaway Upper Home Beat recorded seven Spring fish for the week commencing March 3rd. I have also heard that the week commencing March 10th had got off to a very good start with at least three fish being caught on the Home Beat by Tuesday, March 11th.

On Thursday, March 13th, I was celebrating my birthday back on the delightful Altyre Beat with Ian Vann, Bill Hannan, Don Milne; and Ian Gordon, who joined us on the Saturday. River conditions were really perfect with the level at 2' 1" and falling on the Fish Findhorn Forres gauge. Water temperature was 36° F and perfect water clarity. Weather conditions were also excellent feeling somewhat milder and with no wind. Don Milne lost a good fish, which took him down to his backing in the Meads Garden Pool on a Willie Gunn Tube Fly just before lunch. After a fine picnic lunch, enjoyed in the warm Spring sunshine, I took Bill Hannan down to the Roan Pool on the Lower Beat. The river had fallen a little further through the morning and by the afternoon the pool looked in excellent ply. I was feeling really confident about hooking a fish here, especially having seen a fish show shortly after we arrived.

Fishing a type three sink tip and a 3/4 inch Orjok tube, Bill got a sharp pull off a fish right in the 'hot' spot. I instructed him to take another cast into the same lie and just as the fly began to swing, he was rewarded with a strong steady pull and his reel screamed. The fish turned out to be a lovely deep Spring salmon of around 8 lbs., which was photographed and quickly released. Bill and I were both quite jubilant at our success. A little further upstream on the Upper Beat and it was Don Milne's turn to hook a fish. He hooked into what turned out to be a very large salmon in the tail of Pallamore Pool, which put up a great battle and took him out of the pool, down through the rapids and was eventually beached and safely released in the Pallamore Island Pool. His fish was estimated to be somewhere in the region of 17-18 lbs. taken on an Intermediate Line and a Small 1" Willie Gunn Brass Tube. This had indeed been a great start to the three days and I was feeling very optimistic for the Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately, however, the next couple of days proved to be fishless, despite seeing several fresh fish showing, mainly in the Roan Pool. I had the opportunity to briefly go and cast a fly in the Roan Pool yesterday, March 22nd. Water levels were again superb and I had only been there some ten minutes when I got a pull from a fish, which unfortunately threw the hooks after a few minutes. I never saw the fish, but it certainly felt to be of a good size. The weather forecast for the week ahead remains unsettled, cold and with more snow showers promised over the next few days. These cold water conditions will be perfect for fishing for my clients on Altyre over these upcoming weeks. The salmon will be reluctant to move over the Poolie Falls at Sluie just above Altyre until water temperatures reach at least 42° F. The last few days have seen some really quite heavy snowfalls in this part of Northeast Scotland and this will act as a good reservoir supply of snowfall water over the forthcoming next few weeks. I shall, of course, be updating the Fishing News Page within a few weeks with all the latest information.

Fishing News Update - 1st March, 2008

Since my first report of opening day on the River Dee, it was quite an amazing first week with some 76 Spring salmon recorded for the Fish Dee beats. It was also interesting to note so many large fish being caught during these first few weeks, including a fish estimated to be some 42 lbs. hooked and released on the lower Blackhall Beat. It has also been an amazing month for variations of weather with snow, rain, gales and hail. Unfortunately, during the last few days of the first week of February, we saw a sudden mild spell, which induced a very heavy snow melt flood taking away our much needed snow from the mountains.

By Saturday, February 8th, the river rose considerably and the level hit 73" on the Park Estate gauge with the gauge eventually disappearing as the river continued to rise. My good friend, Nick Armstead, was fishing there with a group of friends. It was just as the light was fading, when Jonathon Sutton from Edinburgh decided it was time to have a last cast in the Cellar Pool. Fishing off the bank and a very short cast with a sink tip line, Jonathon got a pull off a fish. Whilst all of the others came rushing out of the hut shouting "Kelt!, kelt!, kelt!", the fish turned out to be a cracking sea-liced Spring salmon of 10 lbs. Well done, Jonathon, a great effort indeed, in such amazing circumstances. I do not think I ever remember hearing of a fish caught here at this height of water.

As the weeks progressed through February, the fishing generally became a little slower, as often happens at this time of year. I was fishing back at Park with a group of friends for the weekend of 22nd and 23rd. Water conditions were really excellent with the river level at around 31" falling to 24". The moon was full and the big tides seemed to be in our favour. Unfortunately, the water temperature was just a little too high to be on our side for this time of year and reading a high 40° F. On Saturday, February 23rd, we saw a big run of fish passing through us, but they were not going to stop. It was in one way gratifying to see so many fish, yet in another, frustrating that we could not get an offer from any of these fish. Park South managed to hook a fish of 16s lb. from Greenbanks and an 8 lb. fish from Lower Kirks.

By Monday, February 25th, I was fishing on Altyre Estate, River Findhorn. The river levels were perfect at 1' 10" with excellent water clarity. I was fishing there with my friend, Colin MacDonald from Dallas. Despite the appalling gale force conditions and feeling bitterly cold, I was feeling optimistic that we might just pull a fish from somewhere. Sadly, we never saw a sign of a fish anywhere. By Tuesday, February 26th and after heavy overnight rain, the river rose three feet during the day, but still the clarity was good. Yet again, the weather conditions were appalling with gales, rain and even more gales; and yet again, no fish seen or pulled. On Wednesday, February 27th, I was joined by Nick Armstead, Paul Barnard and my friend Keith Cromar from Park. When we arrived and after yet more overnight rain, the river was reading 4 ft. 6" on the Forres gauge and looking amazingly dirty. We decided on an early lunch and retired to the comfort of the hut with the hope that the river might just fall and clear for the afternoon. By the time we went back to the river, shortly after 2:00 p.m., it had indeed fallen by a good 12" and the clarity was much better. My favourite pool, in such conditions, has to be Pallamore Island and indeed, it looked in perfect order. Whilst we were there, we saw two fresh fish head and tailing towards the tail of the pool and indeed, Keith Cromar got two pulls off the fish, but nothing hooked. I was feeling quite positive as we fished through the afternoon and into the evening that we would hook a fish, but sadly, it was not to be.

By Thursday, February 28th, the river had fallen back to 2' 2" on the Forres gauge and I was joined by my friends, Mike and Evie Glass from Phones Estate. It was a fabulous day, the best day of the week with perfect water clarity, bright sunshine, and cold, and I was so optimistic that one of us would connect with a fish. Yet again, my optimism was dashed and despite fishing hard all day and covering all of the best pools, we never saw or pulled a fish.

By Friday, February 29th, the river had fallen back again to 1' 10" on the Forres gauge. I was joined by my greatest and dearest friend, Bill Currie and his friend, Colin Bradshaw. The weather forecast had promised more rain and storm force winds. However, the morning remained reasonably sunny, but by mid afternoon, the rain and the strong winds had set in, becoming much colder. Yet again, we never saw a sign of a fish, but I just had the feeling they were not far away. Finally, on Saturday, March 1st, I awoke to see the river level reading 5' 5" on the Fish Findhorn gauge at Forres and thought that maybe the week was over. However, you never know with salmon fishing and as the old saying goes, "It ain't over, 'til the fat lady sings". I sent Colin and Bill on a sight-seeing tour of the river to view the infamous Dulsie Bridge, Randolph's Leap, and of course a wander around the wonderful Logie Steading bookshop. Bill was delighted to find a couple of copies of first editions of his own writings, including "Days and Nights of Game Fishing" and an immaculate copy of "The Guinness Guide to Game Fishing", so all in all, a morning well spent. We had arranged to meet up at the hut for a late lunch at 2:00 p.m. with the hope that the water might just fall away and clear enough for us to enjoy a cast before the afternoon light faded. I knew if there was a chance of taking a fish anywhere, it would have to be the tail of Pallamore Island and so I took both Bill and Colin down to the pool, shortly after 3:30 p.m. The water was still amazingly high and must have been around the 4' mark, but the clarity was much improved. Colin started in half way down the pool and within two or three casts fishing a sink tip line and a ¾ inch Orjok brass tube, got pull off a fish. At first, the fish did not do very much and he thought it might have been a kelt and suddenly the fish took off and he had a battle on his hands. By the time we walked down to the pool, he had already beached the fish and we were all simply delighted. It was a classic early deep Spring salmon of around 9 lbs. and at last we had broken the duck on Altyre. Ladies and gentlemen, the Spring salmon season has arrived!!

Finally, whilst chatting with Ken Walker from the Forres Tackle shop earlier today, he informed me today that three fish had also been caught off the Forres Angling Association Water this week. These were on Monday, February 25th, 14 lbs. from the Stoney Pool by George Monro; Wednesday, February 27th, 12 lbs. from the Stoney Pool by Sandy McLaughlin; and Friday, February 29th, 9 lbs. by Bill Bartlett and all fish were reportedly caught on the fly. The Findhorn Conservation Code for 2008 requests that all fish of 9 lbs. and over should be released to try and sustain our vulnerable Spring salmon stocks.

The weather forecast for the forthcoming week is for more cold and wintry weather and this will be ideal for fishing on the lower beats of the Findhorn, Dee, and Spey Rivers. I shall be updating my fishing news over the next few weeks towards the end of March. Good luck and Tightlines!

Fishing News Update - 1st February, 2008

When we awoke early this morning, I think we were all slightly amazed to see how calm the weather was starting the day. Having been warned of gale force winds and blizzards, we thought we might just get away with it! However, the boys in the Met Office were spot on and by the time we reached Park Hut at around 9:00 a.m., the winds began to blow and the snow began to snow! Before we knew it, all of our worst nightmares had become a reality. The weather was in short, unbelievably cold and wet. However, we salmon fishers are an optimistic bunch and therefore, we always know that there will be a fish waiting there at some point for us.

When we arrived, the water level was reading 36" on the Park gauge with the water temperature of some 35°F and I must say that this is a really good height for fishing at Park. It was good to see my old friends and of course, Keith Cromar, Head Gillie, at Park. We soon dispersed onto our allocated beats and the arctic conditions that prevailed made fishing somewhat difficult. It seemed that even the kelts were not very eager to take a fly. However, we persevered and by lunchtime reports were not exactly encouraging. Even Lady Barbara, who is normally very keen to be wetting a fly, seemed to spend an unusual amount of time in front of the fire of the newly refurbished hut, drinking large quantities of hot coffee. I even heard her comment to Mike, and I quote, "You actually took a day off work to be here?"

After lunch and with the river beginning to rise by some 2", we were soon covering the water again. By now, the steady rain of the morning had turned to snow and the wind blew even stronger. The fish began to show more interest and it was evident that we were starting to catch more kelts on all beats and I just felt certain that someone was going to connect with a big glorious Spring salmon before very long. Sure enough, just after 3:00 p.m. as I was standing beside my great friend, Ronnie Sneddon, and as we were chatting about this and that, he hooked into a fish. At first the fish did not do very much and we were both certain that it was a kelt. But then, as we were still chatting away, the fish turned close to the surface and we could clearly see that distinctive silver flash of a beautiful fresh fish. Indeed, the fish then woke up and then all hell broke loose and after some fifteen minutes of a good strong fight, Keith netted a glorious Spring salmon of around eleven pounds and we were all delighted. The fish was hooked on one of Ronnie's home tied bottle brass black and orange Templedog tube fly.

As the afternoon wore on, the wind died down and the weather improved and I felt sure that we might just be lucky enough to get another fish before the day was out, but unfortunately there were no others hooked apart from kelts. I see from, the Fish Dee website that there were some ten fish recorded for the day, which included a huge twenty seven pound fish from Lower Blackhall. I have to say that considering the appalling weather conditions that this is a very encouraging start to the season and I know that we are all looking forward to another superb season of sport on our rivers in the northeast of Scotland.

Fishing News Update, 24th January, 2008

Greetings from the Northeast of Scotland and may I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that the new season is just one week away when I shall be opening the season with my regular group of friends over at Park Estate on the River Dee on February 1st. I am delighted to report that we have had more snow this winter than we have had for many years up to this time of year. The ski resorts are apparently reporting excellent snow levels with superb skiing conditions. If this Arctic trend continues through February and March, this bodes well for our river levels being topped up by snow melt water throughout the Spring months ahead.

I shall be reporting on our opening day event upon my return and, thereafter, regularly throughout the season as usual, so please 'Watch this Space'! May I wish everyone a successful fishing season and tightlines to you all!!

>>To view images from our growing online photo library which covers the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey/Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

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