River Spey and Avon

Should you be interested in booking up some guided fishing on the River Spey or River Avon, please contact Ian@speycaster.net for further information.

The River Spey rises in the Monadhliath Mountains to the west of Laggan in Highland Council Area and flows 100 miles (160 km) east and northeast into Moray where it joins the sea at Spey Bay. It has a catchment area of 3367 sq. km (1300 sq. miles) and on its route to the Moray Firth it passes the towns of Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore, Grantown-on-Spey, Charlestown of Aberlour, Craigellachie, Rothes and Fochabers.

The River Spey is the second longest river in Scotland and the seventh longest in the UK. Both the upper and lower reaches of the river are fast flowing with steep gradients. In its middle reaches, the river passes through the wide alluvial plain of Strathspey. Here the gradient flattens out and the river has a slow and meandering form. The mouth of the river has always been subject to change with the formation of shingle spits and the cutting of new outlets.

Relatively free from pollution and obstruction, the River Spey supports a major spawning population of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and is one of the most important salmon fishing rivers in the north of Scotland. The inaccessible deep water areas sustain one of the largest populations of fresh water pearl mussel in Scotland.

The principal tributaries of the River Spey in its upper reaches are the Truim, from Loch Ericht, and the Calder. After widening into Loch Insh, the Spey is joined by the Feshie and the Nethy which flow down from the Cairngorms and the Dulnain which flows down from the Monadhliath Mountains west of Carrbridge. Below Grantown-on-Spey the river is joined by right bank tributaries that include the Avon (A'an), Livet, Aberlour, Rinnes and Fiddich.

The River Spey has an excellent stock of native Brown trout, which will rise to a dry fly if you discover a hatch between April and September. The sea trout runs on the River Spey are second to none in the UK despite recent trends in numbers of fish running our rivers.

The River Spey is traditionally known for it's Spring Salmon, which are deep and firm and fight tenaciously in the fast streams of this challenging river. The Grilse runs can also be excellent; a day in June, fishing with small flies on floating line on a mid river beat, can be a day to remember. The Autumn shows large numbers of fish which on the whole tend to be coloured, though a let on a lower beat can produce bright silver fish up to the last day of the season.

The River Spey is a great fly fishing river. It is broad, but not generally deep and there is always a good push of water across its whole width. In fact, in high water conditions, it can be difficult to slow the fly in order to attract a fish sheltering from the main stream. The water is generally clear though peat tinged and it flows at consistent good fishing levels throughout Spring and into Summer, having benefit of snowmelt from the high mountains above.

The River Avon (pronounced A'an) is possibly the most beautiful river in Britain. It rises at Loch Avon, a wild and beautiful place, home to Golden Eagles and Ptarmigan, nestling behind Cairngorm mountain.

The River Avon starts as a rush over gravel turning south at Inchrory and descending past Tomintoul into the delightful valley below. It is a swift river that cascades through streams, runs and pools down to Ballindalloch where it joins the River Spey.

The water of River Avon is as clear as Tanquerey. Every pebble appears visible, but he who treads clumsily will never see it's fish. Believe me, the fish are there from April onward; you should always imagine there is a fish under your rod tip and they are easily disturbed. Often they are gone before you have your fly in the water. Men are said to have gone into it's water thinking it was shallow and been drowned.

"The water o Aan, it rins sae clear
Twad beguile a man o a hundred year"
Blaeu's Atlas, 1654

The source of the River Avon (pronounced locally as A'an) is not on Ben Avon but some 10 miles further west on the slopes of Ben MacDui, (Gaelic: Beinn MacDhuibh). From Ben MacDui, the headwaters flow down to Loch Avon. The river then continues east down Glen Avon for another 10 miles before turning north towards the village of Tomintoul and Strath Avon.

The River Avon, being the major tributary of the River Spey, attracts about one third of all fish entering the River Spey system. It's water tends to be colder than that of the River Spey and hence the fish tend to run a little later (April as compared to February).

Once they enter, fish can run fast and be scattered throughout the system, up to Tomintoul, from May onward. Go and give it a try; the River Avon fish are long and lean and give a great account of themselves after turning on your fly. Admire your prize, take a picture and return her to its wild waters.

Go to the Fishing on Speyside page
for details of the Spey and Avon beats.

~ Photo Albums ~

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