The River Spey runs for over 100 miles from source to sea. It is the fastest flowing river in Europe and falls 1100 feet over it's course. It is perfectly suited to fly fishing for salmon. Fish can be taken anywhere along it's course but the serious fishing begins as the river reaches Aviemore. Not only does the main river offer a great variety of fishing but a number of tributaries, in particular the Rivers Avon and Dulnain, are excellent salmon rivers in their own right.

The cost of fishing varies tremendously according to the beat you are fishing and the time of year. The river has some of the best Association water fishing available in Scotland. This is very reasonably priced and you are always in with a chance of a fish right from the first day of the season. In contrast some of the cream of the fishing, say Arndilly in May or Tulchan in July, can be expensive. There is something for everyone.

The Spey has a massive catchment, draining huge areas of the Monadhliath and Cairngorm mountains. It's level, therefore, is influenced by steady snowmelt through to the summer months and low water is rarely a problem. Even when the river runs low in mid summer there will always be a steady run of summer salmon, grilse and sea trout. The Spey takes a while to respond to rainfall and days lost to big spates are few. All this means there is a lot of fishing available, fish are always running and few days are lost to the elements.

The season opens on 11th February and closes on 30th September. Fresh salmon will be spread throughout the system for the opening day of the season.

There is always fishing available for those willing to enquire.

Please note that access to some middle and lower river beats is limited due to regular tenancy and timeshare ownership. It is, however, always worth enquiring at the local tackle shop to check on last minute availability.

The following are always very helpful with advice and information on available Speyside fishing and they hold an excellent selection of salmon fishing gear:

Mortimers, 3 High St, Grantown on Spey Tel 01479 872684
JAJ Munro, 93-95 High St, Aberlour Tel 01340 871428
JAJ Munro, 63 South St, Elgin Tel 01343 552653

The Spey can be divided into 3 sections for the benefit of orientation with respect to it's fishing beats.

UPPER SPEY (Source to Boat of Garten)

MIDDLE SPEY (Grantown to Aberlour)

Grantown on Spey Association Water 5½ miles double bank fishing 12 miles on River Dulnain plus 1õ miles Upper Castle Grant on Thur, Fri, Sat.	Mortimers 3 High St Grantown on Spey Tel 01479 872684
Castle Grant and Upper Castle Grant 5½ miles double bank fishing split into 3 beats private use of Upper Castle Grant Mon, Tue, Wed. Accommodation available at Kinveachy Lodge or Inverallan house.	Strathspey estates Heathfield Grantown on Spey Tel 01479 872529
Tulchan fishings 8 miles double bank fishing split into 4 beats Accommodation at Tulchan Lodge or estate cottages	Tulchan Sporting Estates Estate office Tulchan Lodge Advie Grantown on Spey Tel 01807 510200
Ballindalloch 3 miles double bank fishing let with Marionburgh house	Ballindalloch Estate Ballindalloch Tel 01807 500205
Pitchroy 3 miles double bank fishing
Knockando 5 miles double bank fishing	R&R Urquhart Solicitors 117-121 High St, Forres Morayshire, IV36 OAB Tel 01309 672216
Carron and Laggan Double bank fishing in delightful scenery (Laggan now timeshared)	Bidwells, Etive House, Beechwood Park Inverness IV2 3BW Tel 01463 715585
Delagyle Single bank fishing 1½ miles	Savills, 12 Clerk St, Brechin, Angus, DD9 6AE Tel 01356 622187
Kinermony Single bank fishing, 2 miles	Contact Mr Charles Brown Tel 01340 871286
Wester Elchies Single bank fishing, approx 2½ miles Some of the cream of middle Spey fishing	Timeshare ownership. Rods may be available at times. All enquiries to: Savills, 12 Clerk St, Brechin, Angus, DD9 6AE Tel 01356 622187

LOWER SPEY (Aberlour to Spey bay)

RIVER AVON

The River Avon is the Spey's main tributary. It rises in Loch Avon in the lee of Cairngorm mountain and flows some 40 miles to join the Spey at Ballindalloch. The Avon water runs cool and clear and attracts a good run of Salmon and Seatrout from April onward.

Inchrory estates About 20 miles of water on the upper Avon under private ownership. This is an important spawning area for Spey and Avon salmon.
Crown Estates Tomintoul Angling Association One and a half miles of right bank fishing	The Post Office Tomintoul
Crown Estates Strathavon Farmers Angling Association Two miles of double bank fishing	Rods available to B+B or self catering guests of farmer members.
Crown Estates Deskie beat A 2 rod fly only beat leased by the hotel	Minmore House Hotel Glenlivet Banffshire Tel 01807 590 378
Ballindalloch Estate Water Excellent double bank fishing on the lower 6 miles to the junction with the Spey and 1½ miles single bank day ticket fishing above this.	Ballindalloch Estate Ballindalloch Tel 01807 500205

See the following excellent web sites for additional information on salmon fishing throughout Scotland

The Fishing net

Fish in Scotland

The Gamefishing Web