Fishing News for Rivers Dee, Findhorn, Spey, and Avon - Season 2009

Latest Report

Fishing News Update, 20th September, 2009

As we moved into early August, the fishing conditions and levels over on Park Estate were really quite exceptional and catches for July and August held up really very well throughout these two months.

I was over on Park Estate for a couple of days on August 4th with Richard Cousins, who's wife Caroline had purchased a gift voucher, so that Richard could start to learn the art of Speycasting. The river was running at 12" on the Park South gauge and conditions were looking excellent. There were reports of some big fish running over the previous week and we were keen to get started. Richard soon grasped the basic idea of Speycasting and before long he was throwing a good cast across the river with ease. It was, therefore, really unfortunate when he briefly hooked and lost a good fish in the Long Pool on a size 10 Durris Deemon, which had been tied and given to Richard earlier by ghillie Bert Webster. A little later on in the afternoon, he was unlucky again not to hook up with a fish in the Durris Stream, which just pulled hard a small Monkey tube fly. Richard had to depart a little early that afternoon and I decided that it was worth holding on for a little longer.

Seeing such good numbers of fish showing in the Durris Stream, I thought it would be a shame to leave the river in such good order. I hooked and lost a lively grilse in the House Pool on a small Sunray Shadow within minutes of starting! Then I moved back down to the Durris Stream and rolled another couple of fish up on the Sunray, before finally being rewarded with a cracking sea-liced salmon of around 10 lbs. Unfortunately though, it had been raining fairly persistently for much of the day and sure enough when we arrived on the following morning, the river had risen by some 12" and looking a little on the dirty side. Richard fished hard and his casting technique improved throughout the day, but sadly, we saw very few fish and, therefore, the day remained blank for him. However, he is keen to improve and determined to return next season in the Spring with the hope of catching one of those glorious early Spring salmon.

By Thursday August 6th, I was back on the Findhorn on Altyre Estate with regular clients Paul and Peter Forshaw. Unfortunately, the rain that had fallen over the Dee catchment had not reached the Findhorn catchment, so the river was falling away and just reading 4" on the Forres gauge. The weather had changed and suddenly we were back into something of a heat wave with temperatures reaching 22C. In the morning, Paul hooked and lost a grilse on a Sunray Shadow in William's Run, just below the Soldier's Hole. We had also seen several fish running in Soldier's Hole, Roehillock and Palamore, later on in the day. By Friday 7th, the river was reading just 2" on the Forres gauge and holding steady. Paul managed to hook and lose yet another fish in William's Run on a small Sunray Shadow, in almost the same lie! By later on in the day, it was starting to rain, but sadly wasn't enough to raise the water levels and by Saturday 8th, the river was still steady at 2" on the Forres gauge. Unfortunately, the fishing was a little slow due to the weather and river conditions and sadly no other fish were hooked that day.

On August 17th, I was back on Altyre and after some heavy rain over the previous couple of days, river levels were looking in good order, reading 1'2" on the Forres gauge. I was with yet another newcomer to the sport, Roddy Neilson from Glasgow, who planning a trip up North to the Alness and wanting to gain some knowledge on Speycasting before his trip. There was certainly no shortage of fish to be seen in all pools and he was unlucky not to connect with a fish through the day. I decided to fish on into the evening and managed to hook a lively sea-liced grilse of around 4 lbs. in Palamore Pool on a size 8 purple Cascade, fished on a 5' Poly Leader sink tip. I decided to move down onto the Roan pool on the Lower Beat, where I hooked another cracking sea-liced grilse of around 5 lbs. and a couple of sea trout, again on the Purple Cascade, which was a great ending to the day.

By Wednesday 19th, the river had fallen away and was reading 5" on the Forres gauge. The weather remained humid and cloudy with a strong Westerly breeze blowing. There was also the threat of rain in the air. There were still good numbers of fish seen running through all day and I.N. managed another grilse of around 3 lbs. from Palamore on a size 8 Purple Cascade. Later that evening, I noticed on Fish Findhorn that the river levels were reading 10" on the Shenachie gauge and rising.

By Thursday 20th, the river had risen overnight and was reading 1'2" on the Forres gauge and looking in perfect order and I was joined by my good friend Nick Armstead from Edinburgh. In the morning, I.N. pulled three fish in the Soldier's Hole on a Sunray Shadow and Cascade, but couldn't get any of these to connect. There were good numbers of fish showing in all pools and we were feeling quite confident. We both shared great enjoyment watching a grilse rising to Nick's small hitched tube fly in Palamore as it came up to the fly four times without hooking up! A little later on in the afternoon, I.N. hooked another 4 lb. grilse in Palamore on a size 8 Purple Cascade. By the time we left at 6:00 p.m., the river was starting to rise again and indeed came up three feet overnight!

By Friday 20th, the river was falling away once again and reading 1'10" on the Forres gauge, looking a little dirty in colour. The weather was a mixture of sunshine, cloud and showers and feeling warm. First time down through the tail of Roehillock and I.N. hooked a lively sea trout of around 2 lbs. on a size 6 Orjok double, followed by a cracking fresh sea-liced salmon of around 8 lbs. A little later on and another sea trout of around 2 lbs. was hooked in the tail of Palamore Island.

By Saturday 20th and the river had fallen again, reading 1' on the Forres gauge with good clarity and looking in perfect order. It was another day of cloud and sunshine, feeling quite warm. Soldier's Hole had been full of fish and I.N. hooked and released a really lovely deep salmon of around 10 lbs. on a 1" aluminium Sunray Shadow tube fly. Another fish was briefly hooked and lost in the Roan Pool just before mid-day. After lunch, I was joined by Mike and Evie Glass from Phones Estate near Newtonmore. After just a couple of casts and Evie hooked a lovely fresh fish of around 8lbs. on a size 8 Cascade in Soldier's Hole and was clearly delighted. Mike also hooked and lost another fish in Soldier's Hole on a Collie Dog. A little later on in the afternoon and I.N. hooked and lost another big fish in Palamore on a small plastic hitched tube, having come to the fly twice before taking.

Over the following weekend, the rains descended over the Grampians once again. By Monday, August 24th and back on Park Estate, the river had risen up to 42" on the Park South gauge and was really dirty, making fishing totally hopeless for the day.

By Tuesday 25th, the river was falling, but still quite dirty, reading 24" on the Park gauge. Fishing remained slow for the South Bank rods, however, the North Bank rods managed to catch nine fish through the day. The ever persistent Peter Marshall was determined to catch a fish on South Bank and later on in the evening was finally rewarded with a cracking fresh grilse of 5 lbs. from Bakebare Pool on a size 12 Ally shrimp.

By Wednesday 26th, the river was falling away nicely and starting to clear and good numbers of fish were showing in all pools. Clive Williamson from Edinburgh soon hooked a fine fresh grilse of around 4 lbs. from the Durris Stream on a Size 12 Silver Salar, fished on a sink tip line. A little later on in the morning, he was rewarded with another fresh fish of around 7 lbs. from the Jetties Pool. My other guest, Alex Robertson, had a really great day with a total of four grilse of between 3-4 lbs. from the House Pool and the Durris Stream; all hooked on a Black Bear Flame thrower tied up by Duncan Egan.

By the end of the week and after another period of unsettled weather, all of the rivers in this part of the Highlands were running very high and the Findhorn was almost bursting its' banks by Friday 28th, August. Therefore I was feeling very optimistic about the forthcoming week up on Glenferness Estate, with one of my regular parties, who were going to be staying in the Wooden House Lodge on Glenferness Estate.

By Monday 31st August, the river was still in perfect order and reading 6" on the Shenachie gauge. Peter James and Peter Angus had drawn the Mini Daltra beat to start their fishing week and it was Peter J. who decided to make an early start before breakfast on the Garden Pool. He was well rewarded for his efforts and before 8:00 a.m., he had hooked and landed two salmon of around 15 lbs. and a really bright silver fish of around 8 lbs., both hooked and released on a size 6 Cascade fished on a 10' Poly Leader sink tip line. After breakfast, I went up to the Levrattich Beat with David Clark and Peter Sweet, who was looking for his first ever salmon. He had already had a brief encounter with a fish in the Chain Pool by the time I got up there. So, I decided that if he was going to catch a fish anywhere, it would have to be the Lang Tail Pool. We headed on up to the top, whilst David Clark stopped off to fish the big Levrattich Pool. The river was just full of fish and we were seeing good numbers showing in all pools. Peter managed to get a couple of really good pulls, but didn't connect with either of these. Then just coming down to the tail and the fly was swinging through perfectly and the reel screamed and at last he was into a fish. It was a slightly coloured fish of around 7 lbs., safely released and he was delighted with his first salmon hooked on a size 8 Cascade fished on a 5' Poly leader sink tip. A little further down river below us and David Clark also hooked and released another fish of around 7 lbs. in the main Levrattich Pool on a size 8 Ally's shrimp fly, also on a 5' Poly leader sink tip. Meanwhile, back on Mini Daltra and it was Peter Angus's turn to hook a magnificent salmon of around 15 lbs. in the Garden Pool on a size 6 Cascade and safely released. So, before lunch and on a Monday morning every rod in the party of four had caught at least one fish each before lunch. That's really great going .Unfortunately, no other fish were hooked after lunch and the fishing went very quiet.

By Tuesday September 1st, the river had risen a little overnight after further heavy showers upriver and the level was reading 7" on the Shenachie gauge. The weather was a much brighter and windy with odd showers, but feeling decidedly cooler, with a real hint of Autumn in the air. Despite the perfect river conditions, it was strangely very quiet and fishing was slow on all beats and no fish reported hooked or pulled throughout the day!

On Wednesday 2nd, the levels were falling away and reading 4" on the Shenachie gauge. It was another good fishing day, weather wise with some sunshine, cloud and showers. In the morning, Peter James hooked and landed another silver fresh fish of around 7 lbs. from the tail of the Lady's Pool on Mini Daltra. The fish was hooked on a size 8 Cascade on a 5' Poly leader sink tip. David Clark managed to pull a fish in the tail of the Chain pool and then hooked and lost another fish in the Levrattich Pool! Later on in the afternoon and Peter Angus was on great form, hooking and landing two fresh grilse of around 3-4lbs, in the Doctor's Stream and the Chain Pool, both on a size 8 Cascade.

By Thursday 3rd, the weather had changed yet again and the boys from the Met Office actually got the forecast spot on today! River levels started at 4" on the Shenachie gauge and it poured stair rods throughout the day before it started to steadily rise just after lunch. Peter Angus was really unlucky to hook and lose another fish in the Garden Pool in the morning before the river had started to rise. By 3:30 p.m. it was all over and the river went into another raging torrent, so it was time for an early bath and a well measured dram back at the Lodge! The rain continued to pour throughout the rest of the day and throughout the night. So, by Friday morning and still raining the river levels were reading 4'7" at Shenachie and 8'7" on the Forres gauges! Elgin was badly flooded and the river Spey had burst its' banks down at Fochabers causing widespread damage locally. It was to be a day of patience and a little retail therapy at Gordon & MacPhail, the famous whisky store in Elgin! There were mutterings of making an early departure, but I was adamant that they should just hang on for a little longer. I was sure that even with big water conditions, that as long as the clarity was alright, then they would still have a good chance of catching fish, especially on those classic high water pools on Mini Daltra and Altnahara Beats.

Sure enough, by Saturday 4th, the water levels had fallen considerably and reading 2'0" on the Shenachie gauge and clearing. The weather was still unsettled, cloudy and a light drizzle falling. Having lost the Friday, the boys were keen to get started and were soon covering those juicy high water pools. In the morning, Peter Angus fishing on Mini Daltra managed to hook and release two salmon of around 10 lbs. and 8 lbs. from the Maharajah's Pool, followed by another two fish of around 6 lbs. each from the Island Pool. All four fish were hooked on a 2"Garry Dog aluminium tube fly fished on a poly leader sink tip line. Peter James also enjoyed some great sport with two salmon of around 8 lbs. each and both in the Island Pool on a 1" brass Ally's tube fly fished on a 10' Poly leader sink tip. Just a little further upstream on the Altnahara beat and Peter Sweet and David Clark were also enjoying good sport. Having lost a large salmon in the Princess Pool, David Clark managed to hook and release another three grilse of 5 lbs., 3 lbs. and 3 lbs. on his favourite Jungle Bunny tube fly. Peter Sweet also hooked another grilse of around 5 lbs., also in the Princess Pool on a 1" brass Ally tube fly fished on a Poly leader sink tip. Later on in the afternoon and Peter Sweet hooked and released another silver fresh grilse of 3 lbs. from the Island Pool on a 1" brass Orjok tube fly. Then Peter James hooked and landed another grilse of around 5 lbs. from the Princess Pool on a 1" Ally shrimp tube fly. David Clark was unlucky to hook and lose yet another big fish, this time right down in the tail of the Loop Pool on Mini Daltra Beat on his Jungle Bunny! Thus, this ended a truly fantastic red letter day with a total of twelve salmon/grilse hooked and landed, with another four fish hooked and lost on their final day. They managed a very respectable twenty fish for their week, and they were all truly delighted. I was also truly delighted to award Peter Angus with the coveted Findhorn Challenge for his excellent piscatorial achievements and making him "top rod" for the week.

River levels continued to hold up steadily over the weekend and by Monday September 7th, the river was reading 2'2" on the Forres gauge and water clarity was perfect. I was guiding with regular clients, Steve and Jenny Wellard from Norfolk and Tim Ingram from Guildford. It was a fine fishing day with some cloud cover and feeling very Autumnal. In the morning, Tim Ingram fishing on the Roan Pool hooked and landed a small grilse on a Gold Willie Gunn tube fished on a sink tip. I couldn't help feeling that this was going to be a really great day of sport, as there were clearly a big number of fish showing in the pool. Meanwhile, a little further upstream and Steve Wellard hooked and lost a fish in the tail of Palamore Pool on the Upper Beat. Just before lunch and Steve hooked and landed a cracking fish of around 9 lbs. from the tail of Roehillock Pool, just off the big rock on a Willie Gunn tube fly fished on a sink tip line. I was a little surprised that we hadn't hooked any other fish during the morning, but little did any of us realise that the fishing was just about to turn on big time after lunch. Tim Ingram hooked and landed two sea-liced grilse of around 5 lbs. and 6 lbs., both in Palamore Pool and hooked on a small ½" Orjok brass tube fly.

Downstream on the Roan Pool, Steve Wellard was having the time of his life and managed to hook another six salmon and grilse of 16 lbs., 13lbs, (sea-liced); 10 lbs., 7 lbs., 5 lbs. and 5 lbs. and a sea trout of around 2 lbs. All of these fish were hooked and landed on his favourite, a 1" Willie Gunn tube fly fished on a sink tip line. Finally and at the last gasp, Jenny finally managed to hook and land a cracking sea-liced salmon of around 8 lbs., which she and Steve were really delighted with. This had indeed, been a red letter day; in fact, Steve's best ever day in Scotland, with a total of eleven salmon/grilse hooked for the day for three rods and all safely released.

By Tuesday 8th, the river was falling away and reading 1'7" on the Forres gauge. The weather had taken a turn for the worse and we experienced a day of gale force winds, sunny spells and showers. The gales seemed to blowing in every direction, making casting conditions quite tricky. However, it didn't deter Jenny from soon hooking and releasing another salmon of around 10 lbs. from the Roan Pool on a small Willie Gunn tube. I thought that we were in for another day of fast and furious sport, but alas, it was not to be and no other fish were caught for the day!

By Wednesday 9th, the river was reading 1'9" having come up overnight after heavy rain showers falling high up in the Findhorn catchment. The weather was still feeling breezy with sunny spells and cloudy conditions. However, there was no shortage of fish showing in all pools. Tim Ingram managed to hook and release another two fresh sea liced grilse of 4 lbs. from the Roan Pool and 6 lbs. from the Garden Pool, both on a small Willie Gunn tube fly. A little later on in the afternoon, Steve Wellard was unlucky not to hook another couple of grilse in the Garden Pool, where several fish had been showing all day.

On Thursday 10th of September, I was back on Park Estate on the River Dee with Tim Ingram and many other good old friends. It was a really glorious Autumnal day, with some sunny spells, cloudy and breezy. The river had a good healthy stock of fish and levels were reading 26" on the Park gauge with excellent clarity. In the morning, Paul Whitehouse's father, Harry hooked a lovely fresh fish in Bakebare Pool on gold Willie Gunn, fished on an intermediate tip. A little further upstream and Daryl Ewer had a tremendous battle with a fantastic salmon of 20 lbs., hooked in the Upper Kirks and finally landed in the Lower Kirks on a Cascade tube. A little further up from the Kirks and Ken Reid also hooked and landed a salmon of around 10 lbs. from Park Inn on the infamous Park Shrimp tube fly. In the afternoon, he hooked and landed another big fish of around 16 lbs. from the Cellar Pool.

By Friday 11th the river levels were falling and reading 19" on the Park gauge and it was feeling quite warm in the Autumn sunshine. After fishing Durris Stream without a touch, I put Tim Ingram into the Cellar Pool and within three casts he hooked and landed a lovely bright fish of around 9 lbs. on a small brass monkey tube fly and was clearly delighted. A little later on, just before lunch, I thought that we should try the House Pool and tied on a small 1 1/2" Sunray Shadow aluminium tube. Within minutes of fishing through the tail, there was a mighty swirl and suddenly Tim was into another fish, which took off down stream. After a good tussle, we finally netted a fine salmon of around 12 lbs. Fishing upstream in the Lower Kirks, Paul Whitehouse hooked and landed a monster cock salmon of around 25lbs. By Saturday 12th, river levels were reading 17" on the Park gauge and water conditions looked superb. Unfortunately, we had a return to something of a heat wave and the sun was blazing all day and fishing was slow on all beats. There was certainly no shortage of fish showing, but the weather conditions took its' toll until later on in the evening when Andrew Duncan hooked and landed a couple of grilse from the Bridge Pool on beat six.

It's hard to believe that the season has only a matter of weeks left to run, with fishing closing on the Spey and Findhorn on September 30th and October 15th on the river Dee. I shall be updating with my final report of the season in due course.

~ Photo Albums ~

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

Fishing News Update, 31st July, 2009

Since I wrote my last 'Fishing News' update, July has certainly seen a complete change in weather conditions, with low pressure dominating the country. Bringing with it, there were unsettled conditions with plenty of rainfall, which has given river levels a significant lift almost daily. With the higher river levels, we have started to see the first signs of our summer run on all rivers over these last few weeks and sport has been excellent on many beats.

On Wednesday July 8th, I was back on Altyre, River Findhorn with Colin MacDonald from Dallas. River levels were really excellent and reading 2' on the Forres gauge and falling. We are very fortunate with the Altyre fishings in that we have great high and low water pools to offer fishing guests. Palamore Island is one of those classic high water pools and at two feet, the tail of the pool always offers a chance of a fish.

I was fishing down into the tail of the pool, later on in the afternoon and had just got a good pull off a fish when I saw a movement just below me, which looked like and a large head and tail surfacing in the glide, which indeed it was, but not a salmon. I soon realised that it was the otter entering into the tail and was immediately joined by another one. I quickly placed my rod on the bank and waited, keeping low into the bank for what like seemed ages and retrieved my camera, which was tucked into my waders. Then suddenly and right below me I saw both of them surface right in front of me and just managed to get one good shot of them before they disappeared into the depths and never to be seen again. I often think that we are so very fortunate to be in such wonderful and wild places, where wildlife is always present and that there is often more to fishing than catching fish. This was the first time I had been this close to the otters and to get this photo was indeed a bonus.

A little later on in the evening and just after I had left, Colin hooked and landed a cracking fresh fish of around 8 lbs. from Palamore Island, fishing a 10' poly leader sink tip and a size 6 Flamethrower fly. River conditions remained good over the next few days, but there were not many fish to be seen. However, on Saturday, July 11th, I was delighted that Mike Glass from Newtonmore managed to hook and release a lovely grilse of around 3 lbs. from Williams Run on a size 8 Cascade. I was feeling hopeful that our main summer run of grilse and salmon were not too far away and given continued good river levels that it would only be a question of time before we saw the run starting to move into the river system.

By Monday, July 13th, I was back up on Drynachan on Cawdor Estate with the Tony Hutley, Billy Paton and John Oxley party from Yorkshire, who were fishing on the Findhorn for the first time. John Oxley, being relatively new to the sport, was also keen to get some Speycasting instruction arranged for the day. River levels at Shenachie were reading 7" after further weekend rain and the river looked in excellent condition. We saw fish showing in the Bridge Pool and Carnoch Pool, but apart from a couple of tentative pulls, nothing was hooked. Just before lunchtime, Tony Hutley hooked and lost a fresh fish in the tail of the Daless Pool. By the time we were leaving in the evening, heavy rain had started to set in once again.

The rain kept river levels topped up overnight and by Tuesday July 14th, the Shenachie gauge was reading 7" and rising. The day remained unsettled with further outbreaks of heavy showers and rain, with the odd rumble of thunder thrown in. Billy Paton hooked and lost a good sized fresh fish in the morning, in the tail of the Dee Ford Pool on an orange and gold conehead tube. Later on in the afternoon, he was rewarded with another fish, a slightly coloured cock fish of around 10 lbs. from the Red Stream on Dalbuie Beat, again on his orange and gold conehead tube, fished on a sink tip line. By the following day, Wednesday July 11th, they were fishing up on the top beat on Ballachrochin/Shenachie. Unfortunately, apart from seeing several fish, they didn't manage to connect. The rest of the week remained unsettled with further heavy rainfall over the next few days and river levels were always rising. By Friday, July 17th, the river was reading 9" and rising on the Shenachie gauge and by lunchtime had risen to over 3' on the Drynachan gauge. The river was becoming very dirty and fishing was off for the rest of the day!

By Saturday, July 18th, the river had fallen and was 2'4" on the Shenachie gauge, but with continued rainfall, it was soon starting to rise. By lunchtime it was back up to 3'6" on the Drynachan gauge in front of the Lodge. However, although it was on the big side, the water clarity looked really quite fishable, with that lovely black peaty tinge in it. I met up with Roddy Forbes who is head keeper on Drynachan and he suggested that as I was on the top beat (Ballachrochin/Shenachie) that I should go up to the Quillichan Pool, which even at 3'6" would offer a great chance of a fish. I got up to the pool just after 2:00 p.m. and it looked absolutely in perfect order as it swept around the big bend. It looked more like one of those big Spey pools today, rather than the Findhorn.

I tackled up with my 14 ft. Norway (Bruce and Walker) and put on a 10' Poly leader fast sink tip, with a 1" Orjok copper tube. The light rain continued to fall, but it looked fishy and I was just hoping that it wouldn't rise again before I had fished it through. I parked my car right beside the number nine marker post and waded into the edge of the pool, just below it. I think that I had only taken a couple of casts when the fly was pulled hard right below me and before I knew it, I was playing a lively hard fighting cock fish of around 12 lbs., which was safely beached and returned. I waded in again and got a pull off another fish, this time, a slightly smaller fish of around 10 lbs., again beached and released. I continued on down through the pool and just before I got down to the tail of the pool, another pull, from yet another cock fish of around 8 lbs., once again safely released. It was a really great afternoon and the only fish I saw in the pool were the three fish that I caught. I took a drive up to the top of the beat just to look at the beauty of the river and the surrounding scenery and it was truly wild and wonderful up there. On the way back I thought that as the river had now fallen back to 2'4", it might be worth trying the very tail of Poll Beag Pool, however, it was still just a little on the high side and so decided to head for home for a hot bath and a large dram! It had been a really great afternoon and just goes to show, that even in these high water conditions and given good clarity then the river is always worth fishing.

By Monday, July 20th, I was back down on the lower river on Altyre Estate with the Peter Keyser and Susan Hahn parties. After further weekend rain, river levels were really looking excellent for us reading 1'11" on the Forres gauge and falling slowly. I was feeling really optimistic that we should start to see a good run of summer salmon and grilse. The weather was a little more settled with cloudy and sunny spells, but feeling warm.

After making a very early start in the morning, Ed Keyser hooked and landed a really cracking fresh sea liced grilse of around 6 lbs. in the Palamore Pool on a size 6 Cascade, fished on a sink tip line. A little later on in the morning and cousin, Charlie Keyser hooked another grilse of around 3 lbs. in the tail of Roehillock Pool.

Fishing further downstream on the Lower Beat, David Hahn hooked and released a magnificent sea liced salmon of around 14 lbs. just before lunch time in the Roan Pool. It was one of those typical deep summer run salmon and was caught on a Size 6 Cascade, fished on a sink tip line. A little later on in the afternoon, Peter Keyser hooked and lost a fish of around 6 lbs. on the Roan Pool on the Lower Beat. This had been a really encouraging start to the week and we had seen fish running throughout the day on both beats and in all pools.

By Tuesday 21st and the river was reading 1'3" on the Forres gauge and falling. The weather remained fairly settled, but became overcast and raining by late afternoon, once again. In the morning, Ed Keyser hooked and lost a fish in the Roan Pool. A little later on in the morning and David Hahn hooked and landed another grilse of around 3 lbs. in the tail of the Roehillock Pool on a size 8 Cascade. Once again fresh fish were seen running in all pools.

Wednesday 22nd and the river was reading 1' and steady on the Forres gauge. Making another early morning onslaught and it was Ed Keyser who managed to hook and release a really cracking sea-liced salmon of around 12 lbs. in the Palamore Pool on the Upper Beat, on a size 8 Cascade, fished on a full floating line. A little while later and Ed's cousin, Charlie Keyser also hooked into another large salmon. The fish was strong and fought hard, but unfortunately due to a slight problem with reel mechanics, the fly line jammed and as the fish made another run downstream the leader broke and the fish was gone! Later on in the morning and Charlie's father, Peter Keyser hooked and landed another lovely sea-liced grilse of around 4 lbs. in the Soldier's Hole on the Upper Beat. The fish was hooked on a black and yellow, size 8, fished on a full floating line. A little while later on, Peter hooked and lost another grilse in the tail of the Roehillock Pool. Later on in the evening, Rodger McPhail unfortunately hooked and lost a fish in the Roan Pool on the Lower Beat.

On Thursday, July 23rd, and the river had risen once again and reading 1'6" on the Forres gauge. However, the rain had set in once again and became very heavy throughout the morning and it was only a question of time before it started to rise. In the morning, David Hahn hooked and lost another grilse in Soldier's Hole and then, just before lunch, David managed to hook another grilse of around 5 lbs. from the tail of the Roehillock Pool on the Upper Beat, on a size 8 Cascade. Later on in the afternoon, Charlie Keyser hooked and lost another grilse in the Roehillock Pool, just off the big rock below the hut. Unfortunately, by late afternoon the river became very dirty after the earlier rainfall and fishing was finished for the rest of the day.

By Friday, July 24th and the river was reading 1'4" on the Forres gauge, falling and clearing. However, it was another day of heavy rainfall and never eased up until 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Once again, fish were seen running in all pools, but sadly by 4:00 p.m., the river was rising, becoming dirty, yet again and totally unfishable!

By Saturday, July 25th, the river was running at 2'4" on the Forres gauge, falling and clearing. The weather became a little more settled and became rather sunny and warm for a change! In the morning, David Hahn hooked and landed a grilse of around 3 lbs. in the Roehillock Pool on a size 6 Cascade. On the Lower Beat, Archie Bell hooked a sea trout of 1 lb. in the Roan Pool. After lunch, Susan Hahn hooked and landed a lovely grilse of around 4 lbs. from the tail of the Roan Pool on a size 8 Cascade, fished on a sink tip line. Fishing on into the evening, Charlie Keyser was rewarded with a really lovely deep sea-liced grilse of 5 lbs. from the tail of Palamore Island and a sea trout of around 2 lbs. on a size 8 black and yellow double fished on a sink tip line. Peter Keyser, unfortunately hooked and lost another fish in the tail of the Roehillock Pool.

I was really delighted with the weeks' sport and it was great to see such a good strong run of salmon and grilse, generally all in excellent condition, moving into the river system throughout the week. Hopefully, as we move into early August and with further rainfall predicted, then it looks likely to be another great summer of fishing sport for all rods on the Findhorn, Dee and Spey River systems. I shall be updating the Fishing News page over the upcoming weeks until the end of the season. If you would like information on any other openings on offer, then please contact me as always at ian@speycaster.net .

Finally, we were shocked and saddened to hear the news that one of our long standing regulars, Roger Pardoe, passed away very recently. Roger and his son in law, David Clark have been regular visitors for fifteen years now and have been coming to Dallas Lodge in the Spring and the Wooden House, Glenferness Estate in the Autumn to enjoy some great sport on the Findhorn and Avon rivers. Roger was always an important part of the team, a great personality and enjoyed his fishing, whether conditions were good or bad. We have enjoyed some hilarious moments together both on the river bank and back in the lodge, where he would always have a great story to tell or a song to sing.

David, kindly sent me this lovely photo of Roger sitting by the Chain Pool on Levrattich, Glenferness Estate taken, which was taken on his last trip to the Findhorn. I know that we shall all miss him so very much.

~ Photo Albums ~

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

Fishing News Update, 8th July, 2009

As we moved into early June, the long dry conditions seemed to prevail and fishing remained a little difficult on many Findhorn beats. However, the week commencing June 8th started to finally see a change in the weather and rain clouds began to move across the Highlands, bringing more unsettled conditions. I was fishing up on Drynachan on the Cawdor Estate on Monday and water levels were looking quite good after a big spate just two days earlier. The levels were reading 4" at Shenachie and 11" on the Forres gauge. The day was feeling warm and became a little too sunny, which seemed to put the fish down. However, I certainly saw a good number of fresh fish showing and running on the Dalbuie beat throughout the day and briefly hooked a lost a large fresh salmon in the Red Stream on a Sunray Shadow.

On Tuesday, June 9th, I was joined by one of my regular guests, Andrew Shaw from Oxfordshire. The river had fallen back to 2" on the Shenachie gauge and 7" at Forres. The weather was still feeling warm, although conditions were starting to change with clouds starting to roll in over us and I was feeling hopeful of rain to come. We were fishing way up on the Ballachrochin and Shenachie Beat, which is a stunningly beautiful beat with high hills rolling gently down to the river bank. This beat tends to fish a little better in higher water conditions, although we did see several fish showing in the Oxen and Quillichan pools, but sadly they were not to be tempted to any of our offerings.

By Wednesday, June 10th the river was reading 1" at Shenachie and 6" at Forres. However, at long last the rain clouds were moving in and the rain fell steadily over us for most of the day. We were fishing on Daless Beat and the fish seemed to sense the change in the weather, as they began to show in good numbers in Daless and Bridge Pools. Andrew followed me down through Daless Pool and he soon hooked, landed and released a cracking silver fresh fish of around 6 lbs. The fish was hooked on a small 1" plastic Sunray Shadow tube fly fished on a floating line through the streamy run at the top of the pool. After resting the pool for a while, I went back into the pool and moved another fish, just off the big rock in the head stream, to a small Sunray Shadow, but it didn't take hold of the fly. I continued to fish down through the pool with a very small ½" hitched plastic tube fly and moved another fish or maybe the same fish, which pulled the fly, but yet again, never took hold!

A little later on, we moved down river to the Bridge Pool, which again was full of fish and after moving another three fish to the Sunray Shadow, without an offer, it was time for lunch. The rain continued to pour down heavily and the wee burns began to look a little livelier as they began to stream into the river. We forded the river and moved upstream to the Quillichan Ford Pool, where we saw another couple of fish showing, but nothing could be stirred up. Having left the Daless Pool rested for several hours; we moved back downstream to try again. The afternoon was getting later and we could sense a change in the river levels, which were just starting to rise a little. I started in at the top of the pool, once again and Andrew decided to take a look further above me in front of the Daless Hut. I managed to move yet another two fish to the small Sunray Shadow, without touching either of them! Just as I was wondering whether I actually had hooks attached to the fly, I heard a yell from above me and spotted Andrew in the mist, into another salmon. I went up to his aid and we beached his second salmon, which was a slightly coloured hen fish of around 9 lbs. and safely released. Andrew then relayed the great story telling me that the fish had come for the small plastic Sunray Shadow three times before it finally took the fly! It was a great day of sport with two salmon beached to Andrew's rod and another seven fish moved to my own fly, but sadly nothing hooked. However, it certainly goes to demonstrate that even in such low water conditions that salmon can be tempted to come to the fly on the Findhorn, even at 1" on the gauge. In these low water conditions, it often pays to down size fishing equipment to a smaller rod of around 11'-12' and a lighter line of around say #8-9 weight, to avoid disturbing the pools too much.

By Thursday, June 11th, the river had risen considerably and was showing 8" on the Shenachie gauge and looking very dark and peaty. The weather remained unsettled with heavy showers and feeling quite cool in the fresh breeze. I was fishing back on Dalbuie with Nick Armstead from Edinburgh. However, despite our best efforts we saw very few fish, but Nick managed to move one fish to the Sunray down in the Little Banchor Stream.

A couple of days later, I was back on Park South Bank with Jean-Louis Lacombe from just outside Toulouse in France. The river was running at 11" on the Park South gauge and with excellent water clarity. Earlier in the week there had been a good run of late Spring salmon with fish of up to 20 lbs. having been hooked. There were several other larger fish that had been hooked and lost for various reasons. Another good report from the Fish Dee Catches was showing some excellent numbers of sea trout in both the Dee and Spey this season. We didn't see too many fish showing and just before lunch Jean-Louis had a good pull on the Sunray Shadow resulting in a hard fighting sea trout of around 2 lbs. from the Durris Stream.

I was rather hoping that the weather would settle a little and the river would continue to fall. However, over the weekend the heavens opened high up in the Grampian/Cairngorm Mountains and by the time we arrived back at Park North on Monday, June 15th, the river was reading 28", rising to 35" and running very dirty. The weather remained somewhat cloudy and feeling cool in the strong Northerly breeze. Nick Armstead managed to a couple of sea trout in the morning, one from Park Inn and the other from the tail of Greenbanks, fishing deep with a largish Snelda tube fly.

By, Tuesday, June 16th, the water was starting to fall and clear reading 28" on the Park Gauge and looking very fishy on all pools. Within a short time of starting in the Cellar, Jean-Louis got a solid pull off a fish, which looked like a salmon, as it showed on the top, before it threw the hooks. We had changed tactics today and fishing a fast sink tip with a 1" black and yellow Dee Fox tube fly, which seemed to do the trick. We moved on down into the Durris Stream where Jean-Louis hooked and lost another fish, this time a sea trout of around 2 lbs. Later on, we moved up into the Lower Kirks, which was looking in perfect order. Here again, and on the first cast, Jean-Louis got another solid pull and his reel screamed out, as he hooked into another good sea trout. This time the hooks remained firm and we netted a fine fish of around 3 lbs. and Jean-Louis was delighted. A little while later, we moved further upstream to the Long pool and hooked another sea trout of around 2 lbs., once again on the Dee Fox. After lunch, the clouds melted away, the sun broke through and it became amazingly warm, which put the fish down for the rest of the day.

The weather remained unsettled throughout the rest of the week and there was certainly no shortage of water in any of the rivers. I was back on Glenferness, River Findhorn on Saturday, June 20th on something of a busman's holiday and the river was reading 9" at Shenachie and 1'8" on the Forres gauge. I knew that this should be a perfect height for me on the Mini Daltra Beat and I was keen to get fishing. It was little cloudy with odd bursts of sun and feeling quite warm. I walked down to the Island Pool, which is one of my favourite high water pools here. The water had some peaty colour to it and was looking good. In these conditions, I favour fishing a floating line with a poly leader fast sink tip and a small ½" brass Orjok tube fly. Within a few minutes of starting, I got a good pull off a large fish which seemed to be well hooked, but within a minute or so, the hooks pulled out and it was gone. I carried on down through the pool and soon got another solid pull off a fish, but it didn't connect. I moved a little further upstream and walked down into Secret Spot. I changed over to a size 6 Purple Cascade and just in the hot spot; a fished turned and rolled over the fly without touching it! I changed the fly again and put on 1" aluminium Sunray Shadow, which I carefully cast into the same lie with a slow figure of eight retrieve. Exactly in the same spot, the fish moved and rolled over the fly, once again it never touched it!

I decided to rest the pool and moved on up to the Lady's Pool, which looked in perfect ply. I sat on the bank for a little while and saw two fish show below me. I changed the fly back to the size 6 purple Cascade and worked my way down through the pool. Finally, just before I reached the tail of the pool, I got a good solid pull and the reel screamed out. The fish took off downstream and headed for the Lairds Pool. Luckily, I managed to turn the fish and coax it back upstream towards me and after a really good scrap, beached and released a cracking bright cock fish of around 11 lbs. It had been a really eventful few hours and despite not seeing very many fish, they were clearly there in reasonable numbers. In fact, this was a really good week for the Glenferness rods and the Estate recorded a total of 28 salmon hooked.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen the arrival of Summer and heat wave conditions have prevailed with daytime air temperatures climbing to 30 degrees Centigrade! Anglers have been struggling a little on most rivers and fishing either early in the morning or late into the evening have been proving successful, as air and water temperature tend to be cooler at these times. As I write this report, we have seen another turn around of weather conditions, with a return to cooler, fresher and wetter conditions. So, hopefully, with higher river levels we should soon start to see the main summer run of grilse and salmon beginning to show up and offer good consistent sport over the next few weeks.

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

Fishing News Update, 6th June, 2009

It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the fishing season in this part of the Highlands. We have enjoyed some great Spring sport through late April and May. Conditions have not been generally very favourable and with very little rainfall, river levels on the Findhorn have not often been ideal. However, despite all of this, we have been picking away and unlike many other rivers in Scotland, there has been no scarcity of salmon in the pools.

For the week commencing April 27th, I was hosting the first of our regular Spring weeks at Dallas Lodge on the Dallas Estate. It has been fifteen years since we first started our thoroughly enjoyable get togethers and after all this time, the group and atmosphere at Dallas Lodge remains fantastic. We are privileged to enjoy the fishings on some of the best of the middle Findhorn beats, including Glenferness, Coulmony and Logie Estates. As the last of the snow melt had dissipated, we were now going to be somewhat dependent on rainfall to encourage a run of fish to move upstream and take the fly eagerly.

On the Monday the river was reading just 4" on the Forres river level gauge and at least the weather had turned a little more unsettled, with rain showers and feeling much cooler. We were delighted to welcome back the return of past regulars, Keith and Ros Clarke from Guernsey. It was Ros who was first to score with a cracking fresh fish of around 10 lbs., hooked in the Churchyard on Church Beat. She was fishing a size 8 Cascade on an intermediate line and she was delighted. A little later on and Keith Clarke briefly hooked another fish in the same pool, which soon came unhooked. After lunch it was David Clark's turn to hook a fish of around 12 lbs. in the Lairds on Mini Daltra, Glenferness on a pot belly pig fly.

By Tuesday, April 28th, the river had risen a little and was reading 10" on the Forres gauge. The weather remained very unsettled and cold. Again it felt like a good fishing day and hopes were high. Colin Brook was fishing on the Altnahara Beat in the morning and first time down the Black Pool, hooked a good fish on size 8 green Highlander, which took off down the pool and came unstuck! A little later on in the morning and he hooked a second fish in the Deadman's Pool on a small Munro brass tube and this too soon threw the hooks. What bad luck to have hooked two "Springers" and lost both of them in these conditions. After lunch, Peter James hooked and landed a lovely fresh fish of around 8 lbs. in the Slate Pool on a ¾" Red Flame brass tube fly, tied by Ronnie Sneddon. Next it was the turn of Peter Angus, who hooked and landed a fresh fish of around 10 lbs. in the Black Pool, on size 8 Cascade.

On Wednesday, April 29th, the weather had changed becoming brighter and warmer and the river was falling away to 5" on the Forres gauge and fishing was pretty slow.

Then on Thursday, April 30th, the weather became more unsettled with cloudy skies, drizzle and cooler. The river was still falling away to 4". Peter Grimwade from Ipswich hooked and landed a really lovely deep fish of around 9 lbs. on the Scum pool, Relugas Beat on Logie Estate. The fish was hooked on a size 8 Jungle Bunny fished on a full floating line.

By Friday, May 1st, the river was still holding steady at 5" on the Forres gauge. The weather remained fairly unsettled with strong winds and by late afternoon the river was rising again by a few inches. Keith Clarke managed a lovely fresh fish of around 10 lbs. from the Scum Pool on Daltullich, fishing a full floating line and a size 8 Cascade. Graham Bruce-Gardner from Llandogo hooked and lost a fish in the Churchyard Pool on Church Beat, on a Sunray Shadow fished across the surface.

On Saturday 2nd, May the river was still holding steady at 5" and the weather became a little brighter with occasional showers coming in from the West after lunch. In the morning David Clark from Worthing hooked and landed a really cracking fish of around 14 lbs. from the Pulpit Pool on Altnahara Beat on Glenferness. The fish was hooked on a full floating line and on a size 8 Cascade double. Ronnie Sneddon from Clackmannanshire hooked a lovely fresh fish of around 7 lbs. in the Daltullich Bridge Pool on Relugas, Logie Estate. The fish was hooked on a ½" Templedog tube fly and fished on a full floating line. A little later on in the afternoon and Colin Brook was finally rewarded with a fresh fish of around 5 lbs. from the neck of the Slate Pool on Relugas Beat, Logie Estate. Despite the lower water conditions throughout the week the fish were still keen to come and look at a fly. On the Saturday afternoon I was standing right beside Graham Bruce-Gardner on the Pulpit Pool, Altnahara Beat on Glenferness. We witnessed a large fish move up from the depths of the pool and watched as it moved for the fly three times without even touching it. We left the pool for a while and returned a little later on then tried for the fish again with a Sunray Shadow, but yet again it came out of the deep and turned away from the fly at the last minute. It was very frustrating for Graham and I, but really quite amazing to see this spectacle, as the fish continued to move at the fly without taking it. I wonder how many times this occurrence happens and we are most probably blissfully unaware of any interest from down below.

For our second Dallas Lodge week, we welcomed the return of the boys from the Emerald Isle, who have become regular visitors to the Findhorn in the Spring.

On Monday, May 4th the river had fallen to 7" on the Forres gauge and the weather had once again become unsettled, cloudy, cool and windy. Although I was hopeful of a fish being caught, the day was blank and very few fish were seen.

By Tuesday, May 5th, the river had fallen to 5" on the Forres gauge and with the promise of some forthcoming rain everyone's spirits were high and hopeful of success. In the morning Brendan O'Connor was unlucky to hook and lose a lovely fresh fish in the Pool of Peck on the Dounduff Beat at Logie, on a size 8 gold shrimp pattern fished on a floating line. Later on in the afternoon, Gerry Dooley finally connected with a salmon of around 9 lbs. in the Lang Tail pool on Levrattich Beat, Glenferness Estate. He had seen a fish showing in the pool and had fished through it a couple of times with regular fly patterns. Just before he decided to leave, he thought that it would be worth trying the good old 1 1/2" Sunray Shadow and within a couple of casts he hooked this cracking fish and he was absolutely delighted. As the afternoon progressed, the heavens finally opened up and heavy rain began to fall.

By Wednesday, May 6th, the river had risen reading 5" on the Shenachie gauge and 11" on the Forres gauge. Despite the water looking in excellent condition and fish being seen on all beats, only one fish was hooked, but lost by Gerry Dooley in the neck of the Island Pool. The weather remained unsettled, cloudy and cool with more heavy rain showers.

Thursday, May 7th, the river had indeed risen somewhat to 11" on the Shenachie gauge and 8" at Forres and the weather was still cloudy, cool and with gale force winds blowing. The river looked in excellent condition and we were all hopeful of connecting with a fish or two. In the morning it was Ashley Matthews from Connemara, who was first to score with an absolutely cracking fish of around 14 lbs., which was hooked in the Levrattich Pool, Glenferness Estate on a size 6 Cascade, fished on a sink tip line. After lunch, Simon Forsyth hooked his first Findhorn salmon of around 10 lbs. in the Maharajah Pool on a size 6 Yellow Cascade fished on an intermediate line. This was his second ever salmon and the smile on his face said it all as the fish was carefully released. A little later on in the evening, Ash Matthews hooked and lost another fish in Secret Spot.

On Friday, May 8th and after further heavy rain, the river had risen even further, reading 1'4" at Shenachie and 11" on the Forres gauge. The weather remained cloudy, windy, and cold with heavy showers and the occasional hail stone pinging off our hats. If anything, the river was a little on the high side for us in the morning and as the river began to fall, after lunch Ash Matthews hooked and landed another lovely fresh fish of around 10 lbs. in the Maharajah Pool, Mini Daltra on a size 6 Copper Shrimp, fished on a sink tip line. A little later on, Simon Forsyth hooked his second fish of around 7lbs. in the Lady's Pool on Mini Daltra, Glenferness on a size 6 Cascade fished on an intermediate line. Ash Matthews hooked and lost another fish in the Old Bridge Pool on Church Beat and pulled another fish in Factor's Burn on Church Beat.

By Saturday, May 9th, the river was still in full spate, reading at 1'3" at Shenachie and 2'6" on the Forres gauge. Yet again, the morning was a little slow due to the very high water and the weather remained very windy, cloudy and cold. We certainly saw fish in the tail of the Lady's Pool in the morning, but could not get an offer from a fish. After lunch, it was Malachy O'Callaghan from Dublin, who hooked a lovely fresh fish of 7 lbs. in the Churchyard Pool on a ½" Brass Orjok tube, fished on an intermediate line. He also hooked and lost another couple of fish, one in the Chain Pool and the other in the tail of the Church Bridge Pool. Toby Strauss also hooked and lost a fish in the tail of Secret Spot.

On Monday May 11th the river had fallen quite dramatically to 5" on Shenachie and 11" on the Forres gauge. The weather had also taken a change to becoming brighter, hotter and very dry. I was joined by regulars, Des Dunlop and Jim Bishop from Bristol, fishing on the Daltullich/Dounduff beats for three days. Fishing through the day time became impossible and although we were seeing fish showing in Scum and Daltullich Bridge pool, they were not going to be tempted. Later on in the evening, Jim Bishop finally hooked and landed a fresh fish of around 12 lbs. in the Scum pool at 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 12th, the river had fallen again reading 3" at Shenachie and 6" at Forres. High pressure had taken control over the country and as the heat wave set in; fishing through the daytime became fairly hopeless. However, fish were seen in the Duillan Pool and the boys moved a couple of fish to the fly later on in the evening. Des Dunlop hooked and caught a sea trout of around 2 lbs. in the Pool of Peck on a Sunray Shadow.

By Wednesday, May 13th, the river was just 2" at Shenachie and 5" at Forres and yet again, the heat wave continued. Des and Jim made a very early start in the morning before the sun got onto the pools and certainly saw plenty of fish in both Scum and Daltullich Bridge Pools, but could not tempt anything to take.

Thursday, May 14th, I was joined by two of my regulars, Ian Vann from Edinburgh and Bill Hannan from Cheshire. The heat wave prevailed and the river continued to fall and very few fish were seen through the day.

By Friday, May 15th, the weather had at last changed, becoming overcast, cloudy and drizzly and feeling decidedly cooler. The river was reading just 1" on the Shenachie gauge and 3" at Forres, but fishing conditions were looking more promising. First time down through the Scum Pool in the morning and Ian Vann was rewarded with his first Findhorn Spring salmon of around 9 lbs. hooked on a size 8 Cascade fished on a full floating line.

Throughout the next week, fishing conditions remained generally a little slow although, it appeared that there was certainly no shortage of fish to be seen in the Findhorn and without a rise in river levels, fishing conditions would remain difficult.

For the week commencing May 25th, I was back on the Daltullich/Dounduff Beats for a few days offering speycasting instruction to Ian Anderson from Aberdeen. The river was just 1" on the Forres gauge and 3" at Shenachie. However, at last the signs were looking a little more promising as a persistent heavy drizzle began to fall. Yet again, we saw good numbers of fish showing in the Scum Pool throughout the morning and Ian soon mastered the art of the Spey cast. He was unlucky not to connect with a fish. A little later on in the afternoon, I.N. briefly hooked and lost a fish in the Daltullich Bridge Pool on a small 1" plastic Sunray Shadow tube fly.

On Wednesday, May 27th, I was delighted to welcome George Booth from Canada to the River Findhorn. He was touring Scotland with a group of friends, primarily on a golfing holiday. However being a keen fly fisher, he had decided not to miss an opportunity to come and fish for Atlantic salmon, whilst staying in Scotland. The river had also risen a little reading 3" at Shenachie and 4" on the Forres gauge and looking in excellent condition. As soon as we arrived on the Daltullich Beat, we started to see fish moving in the Scum Pool. George and I were both excited to see such good numbers of fish and some very big fish showing and I felt certain we would connect with a salmon at some point in the day. Weather conditions were good, a little cloudy and overcast and feeling warmer. We fished hard throughout the day and saw fish in both the Daltullich Bridge Pool and Scum Pool. At just around 4:00 p.m., George was finally rewarded with a cracking 8 lb. sea-liced salmon in the Scum Pool, hooked on a 1" Sunray Shadow. This was one of the hardest fighting fish that I had seen for many a day. First of all, it took off down the pool and then turned around and headed upstream, out of the pool and into the rapids above before being finally coaxed back into the pool where it was netted, photographed and quickly released. George was truly delighted with his Scottish fishing experience and vows to return at another time in the future.

~ Photo Albums ~

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

Fishing News Update, 26th April, 2009

The week commencing March 23rd, I was back on Altyre Estate, River Findhorn with the Daryl Ewer party. After another unsettled spell of weather, the river was running at over 4' and very dirty for the start of the week and fishing was hopeless. By Tuesday, 24th March, the river was starting to fall back and reading 2'6" on the Forres gauge. The weather remained unsettled, windy, and cold. In the morning, Daryl Ewer hooked and lost a fish in Palamore Island, but fishing was slow going on both beats with not many fish being seen. By Wednesday, 25th March, the river had risen a little to 2'10" on the Forres gauge and still the weather remained cloudy with heavy showers and feeling very cool. In the morning, Graham Pickering from Yorkshire hooked and landed a lovely sea-liced Spring salmon of around 9 lbs. in the Roan Pool. He was fishing with an intermediate line and a 2" Willie Gunn brass tube fly.

By Thursday, March 26th, I was joined by Jonathan Asquith, Peter Grimwade and Colin Brook. The river was reading 2'9" on the Forres gauge and falling a little bit. It remained cloudy, very windy, and with further heavy showers throughout the day. In the morning, I took Jonathan Asquith up to Palamore Island on the Upper Beat, which was looking in perfect order. Within a few minutes, he soon hooked and landed a lovely fresh fish of around 10 lbs. on a 1" Park Shrimp tube fly, fished on an intermediate line. We then moved up to Palamore where Jonathan hooked and landed another fish of around 7 lbs. and covered in long-tailed sea-lice.

A little later on in the afternoon, it was Colin Brook's turn to catch a fresh fish of around 7 lbs. in the Roehillock Pool on a 1" Orjok tube fly fished on an intermediate line. Despite the cooler weather, I took a water temperature reading and was surprised to see that the temperature was already at 42°F, therefore, I felt certain that fresh fish would soon be running over the Poolie Falls at Sluie and into the Middle Beats. By late afternoon, the river was again beginning to rise back up to 2'9". On Friday, 27th March the river was reading 2'5" and again rising by late afternoon to 2'10". It was an incredibly miserable day weather wise, with the onset of further heavy rain, gale force winds, and extremely cold. Needless to say, the fishing was very quiet with just a few fish running in the Roan Pool. By Saturday, March 28th, the river was back up to reading 4' on the Forres gauge and feeling bitterly cold with snow, sleet, and very windy. As the water fell away later in the afternoon, we saw fish showing in Palamore Island where Colin Brook got a pull off a fish, but that was it for the day.

By Monday, April 6th, I was fishing with Olivier DeVictor, Huston McCullough, Oliver Watkins and Bill Chard. River levels were looking perfect and reading 1'8" on the Forres gauge. In the morning, I took Huston McCullough to Palamore Pool where he hooked and landed an absolutely cracking fresh salmon of around 20 lbs. covered in long-tailed sea-lice. The big fish was hooked in the tail of Palamore, which is often known for its big fish. It was hooked on a ¾ Orjok tube, fished on a sink tip line. Just after lunch, Oliver Watkins hooked and landed his first Findhorn salmon of around 10 lbs. yet again in the Palamore Pool. The fish was hooked on a Pot Belly Pig tube, fished on a sink tip line. A little later on, Oli hooked and lost what he described as a very large salmon in the tail of the Roehillock Pool just off the big rock below the hut. Over the next couple of days, the river started to fall away and by Wednesday, April 8th, was reading 1' on the Forres gauge. It was another day of unsettled weather with heavy rain falling and the river started to rise, once again. Despite seeing fish on all pools on both beats, these fish just seemed to be intent on running without taking a look at any of our offerings.

On Thursday, April 9th, I was joined by Lady Grant from London. The river was back up to 2'8" and falling and the weather was feeling a little milder, but still with strong blustery winds and overcast. Just after lunch, I.N. hooked and landed a lovely deep fish of around 14 lbs. in Roehillock on a ¾" brass tube, fished on a 10' fast sink poly leader sink tip. By Friday, 10th April, the river level was at 1'10" on the Forres gauge and looking in perfect fly fishing order.

Despite seeing good numbers of fish in all pools, we were unable to connect with a taking fish. Yet again, I got the feeling that with the water temperatures unusually higher than normal for this time in the season, that the fish were running hell for leather. Indeed, I had feeling that it would not be too long before I heard of fish being caught above the falls up on the Middle Beats. By the end of the day, the river had risen, yet again, by over a foot and it went very quiet on all beats. By Saturday, April 11th, the river was reading 1'8" on the Forres gauge, falling and clearing. It was a milder day with a mixture of sunshine and clouds. The river was looking in fabulous condition, but with very few fish seen throughout the day. Later in the day at around 5:00 p.m., I.N. went up to the Soldier's Hole and saw a fish head and tailing. After trying with a conventional fly and no response from a fish, it came to a Sun Ray Shadow, but did not connect. I then went down to the Roehillock Pool where we had seen a fish show earlier in the tail of the pool. After moving a fish to the Sun Ray Shadow and on the very next cast, I hooked and caught a lovely fresh fish of around 11 lbs. which gave great sport and a great end to the day.

On Monday, April 13th and I was fishing back on Park Estate North Bank, River Dee with David and Michael Clarke, Charlie Tryon, Mark Whitehead, and Alex Foshay. The river was looking in perfect order and reading 18" on the Park gauge when we arrived in the morning. There was a cold sea har hanging over us which soon lifted and the weather became bright and sunny throughout the day with a cold east wind blowing upstream. There was certainly no shortage of fish to be seen on all beats, but the bright and sunny conditions, seemed to make it hopeless through the day with no offers or takes anywhere. However, just after 6:00 p.m., David Clarke hooked and landed a cracking sea-liced salmon of around 10 lbs. in Bakebare Pool on a 1" Cone Head tube fly, fished on a fast sink line. By Tuesday, April 14th, the river was running clear and reading 16" on the Park gauge. It was a far better fishing day remaining overcast and cool. In the morning, Charlie Tryon hooked and landed a fresh fish of 10 lbs. from Park Inn. Mark Whitehead briefly hooked and lost a fish in the Lower Kirks. After lunch, David Clarke, hooked and landed his second fish of around 7 lbs. from Greenbanks Pool on a Sun Ray Shadow. A little later on, he hooked and lost another fish in the same pool, again on a Sun Ray Shadow. Just after 6:00 p.m., Charlie Tryon hooked and landed his second fish of the day of around 6 lbs. in the Durris Stream, yet again on the Sun Ray Shadow. Within five minutes of releasing this fish, he hooked and lost number three, almost at our feet. It was a bigger and stronger fish of around 10 lbs. to 12 lbs. A little further downstream on Bakebare, Mark Whitehead lost another fish, also on a Sun Ray Shadow. By Wednesday, 15th April, the river was reading just 14" with perfect clarity. It was yet another overcast day with a cold easterly wind blowing upstream. In the morning, it was Michael Clarke's turn to hook and land a cracking deep fresh fish of around 12 lbs. in the House Pool and yet again on the ever deadly Sun Ray Shadow. The sixth rod, Steve Howarth, who was fishing Park for his first time, also had a 'Red Letter Day' with a salmon of around 18 lbs. from the Lower Kirks just before lunch. He then went and caught his second fish of around 14 lbs. from Bakebare Pool after lunch, both fish hooked on a Sun Ray Shadow.

~ Photo Albums ~

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

Fishing News Update, 22nd March, 2009

The last two weeks has been a really exciting period for my fishing clients on the Altyre Estate Beats. The early Spring run has really started to move into the Lower Findhorn Beats offering some really superb sport.

On Monday, March 9th, I was fishing on Altyre with Andy Murphy from Chester for three days. The river was reading 2' 2" and falling with good clarity. The weather was a mixture of sunshine, showers, windy, and cold. Despite good fishing conditions, only kelts were caught that day.

By Tuesday, March 10th, the river had fallen a little and reading 2' 1" on the Forres gauge and conditions were, once again, looking superb; but unfortunately only three kelts were hooked. With the big Spring tides beginning to build through the forthcoming week, I couldn't help but think that the combination of good river levels and the high tides would surely start to entice these early "Springers" into the river. The water temperatures were still cold, reading between 36° to 38°F, which is ideal for us on Altyre at this time of year.

On Wednesday, March 11th, the river had fallen a little to 1' 9" and was looking absolutely perfect for us. The weather was really as good as it gets at this time of year with a little cloud cover, mild and hardly a breath of wind. Just before 11:00 a.m. and after two kelts had been hooked, Andy hooked into another fish, which after a long hard fight, turned out to be a fabulous Spring fish of around 15 lbs. The fish was caught in the Roan Pool on the Lower Beat, fished on an intermediate line and a 1" Willie Gunn tube fly. This was Andy's first ever Findhorn salmon and was clearly delighted with his prize. At around 1:30 p.m. Andy hooked his second fish of the day. This was a cracking 10 lb. sea-liced salmon hooked in the Soldiers Hole on the Upper Beat and once again on the 1" Willie Gunn tube. After lunch, we headed off back down to the Lower Beat where I.N. hooked and landed another fresh "Springer" of around 12 lbs. in the Roan Pool. The fish was hooked on a ¾" Orjok tube fly, fished on a 10' poly leader sink tip attached to a floating line. At around 3:30 p.m., Andy hooked into his third fish of the day, another cracking fish of around 14 lbs. also hooked in the Roan Pool and on the 1" Willie Gunn tube. This was a fabulous result and I do not think March fishing can get much better than this with four beautiful Findhorn "Springers".

On Thursday, March 12th, things had taken a turn for the worse and the river had risen to nearly 4' on the Forres gauge and looking very dirty. This overnight rise in river levels had been brought on by a combination of snowmelt water and heavy rainfall up in the head waters of the Findhorn the previous day. I was fishing with the Ian Vann party from Edinburgh for the next three days. Fishing conditions were really hopeless for the day and despite trying to cast a line in Pallamore Island Pool, the water was simply too high and too coloured to offer any chance of success.

On Friday, March 13th, the river had fallen to 2' 2" on the Forres gauge and the clarity was improving all the time. The weather was sunny and feeling very mild. It felt like another good fishing day to come. In the morning, I took Paul West from Aberdeen to the Pallamore Island Pool where he soon hooked a lovely small fresh salmon of around 7 lbs. The fish was hooked on a Black and Yellow tube fly and fished on a wet cel2 sinking fly line. A little later on and just before lunch, Don Milne from Aberdeen also hooked a cracking sea-liced fish again of around 7 lbs. in the Roehillock Pool on the Upper Beat. The fish was hooked on a 2" Willie Gunn tube fished on an intermediate line. Later on in the afternoon, Bill Hannan from Cheshire hooked a fabulous salmon of around 16 lbs. in the Roehillock Pool on a Cascade conehead tube fly. Don Milne hooked and lost another fish in the Garden Pool on the Lower Beat.

By Saturday, March 14th, the river was reading 2' 2" on the Forres gauge, but was starting to rise steadily throughout the day and becoming a little dirty. The weather was overcast, cloudy and feeling much cooler in the strong northerly winds. Unfortunately, no other fish, apart from kelts were hooked that day. However, it had been a tremendously exciting week and a total of seven fresh "Springers" up to 16 lbs. is certainly not to be sniffed at!

On Monday, March 16th, the river had begun to settle and was reading 2' 2" on the Forres gauge, steady and clear. The weather was overcast, drizzly with some heavier rainfall throughout the day. My two guests fishing on the Lower Beat were Graham Caton and Nick Armstead from Edinburgh. It was not long before Graham opened his account with a fine 15 lbs. Spring salmon in the Roan Pool. The fish was hooked on a Willie Gunn tube fly, fished on an intermediate line. This was Graham's first Findhorn Spring salmon and indeed, his first March salmon. Nick Armstead, not to be outdone, also hooked and landed another fresh fish of around 7 lbs. also hooked in the Roan Pool and on a Willie Gunn tube fly.

By the following day, Tuesday, March 17th, the river had risen to 2' 4" on the Forres gauge, but still with excellent clarity and looking in perfect order. In the morning, Nick hooked and landed another cracking sea-liced fish of around 14 lbs. in the Roan Pool on a 1½" Willie Gunn tube fly.

On Thursday, March 19th, I was joined by Algernon Percy from London and Robbie Douglas-Miller from Edinburgh. The river had fallen dramatically over the last two days and was reading 1' on the Forres gauge with excellent clarity. The weather had also taken on something of a change, becoming sunny, bright and feeling very warm. However, just before lunch, Robbie Douglas-Miller hooked and landed a lovely fresh fish of around 11 lbs. in the Roan Pool. The Joe Kidston party also hooked and landed another fresh Spring salmon of around 11 lbs. in the Soldiers Hole Pool on the Upper Beat. As the day progressed, the weather became warmer and the fishing was much slower with very few fish seen for the rest of the day. I also took another water temperature check and was not surprised to see the temperature had reached the 42°F mark. Therefore, I feel it will not be long before the fish begin to move over the Poolie Falls at Sluie and up into the middle reaches of the river.

By Friday, March 20th, the river had risen very slightly to 1' 1" on the Forres gauge. I was fishing with Mike Powell from London. Once again, with high pressure dominating the country, the weather was sunny and very warm with air temperature peaking at 15°C. The fish were reluctant to show or even take a fly in these conditions. However, we waited patiently until the afternoon sun began to dip and we were able to fish in the shade on the Garden Pool. Just before 5:00 p.m., Mike got a good solid pull off a fish and after a good long hard fight we netted a really superb fresh fish of around 15 lbs. The fish was hooked on a 1" Black and Yellow Templedog brass tube and fished on a 10' Poly leader sink tip line attached to a floating line.

By Saturday, March 21st, the river had fallen yet again, and was reading just 10" on the Forres gauge. After a sunny start, the weather began to change becoming cloudy, windy, and much colder. Fishing conditions were looking much better and there were signs of a few more fish showing. Unfortunately, just before lunch, Mike hooked and lost another fresh fish in the Roan Pool. At 5:00 p.m., we decided to abandon fishing for the day and head off to watch the Grand Finale of the Six Nations Championship. Unfortunately for Mike, he was also robbed of another victory for his beloved Wales as Ireland cleaned up on the "Grand Slam" victory!

~ Photo Albums ~

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

Fishing News Update, 8th March, 2009

Since my last update, I am pleased to report that February has proved to be a record month for many of the River Dee Beats. Little Blackhall reported thirty-two against a five year average of ten, Park reported sixty-three against a five year average of thirty-two, Lower Crathes reported forty-three against a five year average of twenty-one. Ballogie and Invery reported twenty-seven against respective five year averages of sixteen. This is indeed a truly excellent start to the 2009 season and bodes well for the forthcoming Spring months.

I was back fishing on Park North Bank on 20th February with my very good friends, Nick Armstead and Geoffrey Mitchell from Edinburgh. The river was running at 42" on the Park gauge and falling with good clarity. Weather conditions were somewhat cloudy and overcast with light rain falling for most of the day. Nick Armstead hooked a lovely fresh sea-liced fish of around 9 lbs. in Castleton Pool. He was fishing an intermediate line with a 1½ inch Willie Gunn brass tube fly. This was quite a fine achievement for Nick, who has now notched up two Springers for February. I seem to recall he had to wait until the middle of April last year for his first fish and myself and his other friends are delighted that he has got off to a good start this year!

Later on, just after lunch, I.N. hooked his first fish of the season, a fine fresh fish of around 6 lbs., hooked in the Cellar Pool on a 1" Dee Fox tube fly. There were another six fresh Spring salmon caught on the beat for the day giving a total of 8 salmon.

On Saturday, 21st February, I was joined by friends Colin MacDonald and Clive Williamson. Unfortunately, the rain from the previous day had done its worst and the river reading 39" on the gauge started to rise by mid-morning. I.N. hooked and lost another fresh fish in the House Pool, which dropped off at the net. It must have been the Ghillies' fault! After lunch, the river was rising steadily and becoming a little dirty. Despite our best efforts, no other fish were reported, apart from five fish that had been caught in the morning.

On the River Findhorn, I am delighted to report that on 13th February, the first Spring salmon from the Forres Angling Association was hooked and released in the Newton Pool. The fish was caught by Dave Rennie on the fly and measured 34" long and estimated to be around 16 lbs.

I was fishing on Altyre Estate on the Lower Findhorn for the week commencing 23rd February with various friends and guests. The previous week, the river had been virtually unfishable due to the mother of all snowmelt flooding after a sudden mild spell took away a lot of the recent snow that had fallen. However, fishing conditions began to look more promising and the river was reading 2'4" on the Forres gauge and steady. Iain Wood from Kelso hooked and lost a fresh fish in the Roan Pool just before lunch. Apart from 8 or 9 kelts hooked, there were no other fresh fish seen or hooked for the day.

By Tuesday, 24th February, the river had risen slightly and reading 2'7" on the Forres gauge and falling. Weather conditions were ideal with mild air temperatures and overcast skies. Just before lunch, Iain Wood hooked and landed a cracking sea-liced Spring salmon of around 14 lbs. in the Roan Pool. The fish was hooked on a 1" Park Shrimp tube fly, fished on an intermediate line. It was one of those typical deep Findhorn Springers and we were all truly delighted to see our first salmon of the season which was photographed and carefully released. Unfortunately, no other fresh fish were hooked through the week. It is still very early days and I am sure we will soon start to see the best of the Spring run begin to build as we move into mid-March.

I have just heard reports of another large fish of around 16/17 lbs. being caught in the Broom Pool on the Forres AA water earlier this week. I shall be fishing with clients on Altyre Estate over the next three weeks and will be updating the "Fishing News" page later this month with all of the latest happenings.

I would be most grateful if anglers would drop me a line commenting on their sport with me at ian@speycaster.net and attach any pictures so that they may be shared on this site. Tight lines!

~ Photo Albums ~

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here

Fishing News Update, 2rd, February, 2009

A new season dawned on the Aberdeenshire Dee as we awoke to see a scattering of snow on the ground and hills around us. Unlike the blizzards that brought England to a standstill, the Northeast of Scotland remained generally clear of heavy snowfall accumulation. However, the day was feeling raw as strong easterly wind whipped upstream with occasional flurries of sleet and snow. My regular team of guests arrived at the Park Estate hut at around 9:00 a.m. to be greeted by our always cheerful Head Ghillie, Keith Cromar. Despite the chilled conditions, the river level was absolutely perfect for fishing at 22" on the Park gauge. The water temperature was 35ºF and running gin clear with an air temperature of 36ºF, but feeling much colder with the wind chill. It was great to be back on this fantastic beat on the lower Dee and we were all feeling somewhat optimistic of catching a fine fresh Spring salmon.

After the usual celebratory "Opening Day" dram, we quickly dispersed to our allotted beats. I took my good friend, Mike Leach, over to fish on the South Bank where we were greeted by the ghillie, Charlie Yates, who as always, was delighted to see us. We had been allocated to fish on beats four and five in the morning and as Mike had never fished South Bank, was keen to look at this new water. I started him just above the wires on Durris Stream and instructed him to fish down through the Jetties. I opted to fish down on Bakebare where the biting upstream wind made casting interesting! We both managed to pick away at the customary number of kelts, which even to feel the pull of a fish on the first day of the season always lifts the heart.

Around 12:30 p.m., Mike hooked into a fish just above the ash tree at the tail of Jetties and was rewarded with a lovely small silver fresh salmon of around 7 lbs. The fish was hooked on a ¾" Macartair brass tube fly, tied by our good friend Ronnie Sneddon and fished on a sink tip line. Mike and I were delighted to see the first fish of the season carefully returned to the river. After lunch, we were soon back fishing on the river, as February days are short and fishing time is valuable. Mike was allocated to fish on Beat five, North Bank for the afternoon.

Meanwhile, I took Graham Bruce-Gardner over to Bakebare Pool on the South Bank, which was also new water to him. Graham hooked and released two well-mended kelts and battled against the wind bravely. Mike then appeared opposite us and started to fish down behind Graham whilst I could keep an eye on both of them. Graham got a good pull of a fish and just as he lifted into the fish, Mike also hooked another fish above him on the opposite bank. Graham's fish took off down the pool making the reel scream and soon started splashing on the top. I could see it was a fresh fish as it splashed and then suddenly threw the hooks and it was gone.

Meanwhile, Mike battled away with his hooked salmon and was soon joined by Keith and the fish was quickly netted. Mike had done it again, this time a cracking fish of around 9 lbs. and covered in long-tailed sea lice. I do believe that this must be quite an achievement and indeed, most probably a first, to catch not only two fresh Spring salmon on the Opening Day, but one off each Bank!

A little later on in the afternoon, Nick Evans also hooked and landed a lovely fresh salmon of around 8 lbs. The fish was hooked on an Aaron Cromar Park Shrimp ¾" brass tube in the House Pool. Despite the biting cold conditions, we were truly delighted with the days catch! I also see from the Fish Dee reports that 27 fresh fish up to 21 lbs. were caught for the Opening Day, which is truly an encouraging start to the season and bodes well for the forthcoming Spring months.

>>To view images of our growing online photo library which covers the prime beats we fish on the Rivers Findhorn, Dee, Spey, Avon, and Ponoi, please click here.

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