We Are the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board
We look after the River Dee, an iconic 81‑mile river that flows from its source high in the Cairngorms through Royal Deeside to the North Sea at Aberdeen. With more than 40 beautiful locations for fly fishing Atlantic salmon and sea trout between February and October, the Dee is celebrated as one of the world’s finest salmon rivers.
Our mission is to protect and enhance this remarkable river, so it continues to support rich biodiversity and strengthen communities across Northeast Scotland. The River Dee is at the centre of vital freshwater conservation efforts, working to safeguard the iconic Atlantic salmon – an indicator species facing growing environmental pressures.
Fish the River
Whether you’re a returning angler, new to the River Dee, or trying salmon fly fishing for the first time, the Dee offers a stunning place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with nature.
Explore what the river provides, how to plan your fishing trip, and what to expect along the way. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions or use our interactive map of fishing beats to get started.
River Restoration
Discover some of the key nature restoration projects across the River Dee catchment, including Scotland’s largest dam removal at Garlogie, the restoration of the Cattie Burn at Ballogie, the Glen Clunie river and floodplain project, and new biodiversity initiatives on the Muick near Ballater in the Cairngorms.
Protecting Fish
Atlantic salmon face threats from poaching, predators and pollution. Our team patrols the Dee, protects young fish, works with new technology to detect and deter predators, and encourages the public to report concerns, including poaching on 01339 880411 and pollution incidents to SEPA.
Latest news
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 23 – Mon 29 June 2026
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 23 commencing 29th June 2026 We slid into July last week and the beginning of Wimbledon, which means one thing. Andy Murray aside, most of us associate the Wimbledon fortnight with grilse. The beats started the week with a degree of...
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 22 – Mon 22 June 2026
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 22 commencing 22nd June 2026 Conditions remained settled and warm across Deeside for much of last week, with the river holding low and steady rather than receiving anything resembling a useful lift. While the wider UK baked under a...
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 13 -Mon 27 April 2026
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 13 commencing 27th April 2026 The last week of April seems to have flown by, and I have been looking at the year-on-year statistics. Perhaps we have had better weather conditions, more fish running, and more fishing effort this April...
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 12 – Mon 20 April 2026
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 12 commencing 20th April 2026 This week we’ve seen some beautiful, very silver spring fish to Dee rods, with seventeen beats catching. I heard the cuckoo for the first time, so it’s officially spring. Finally, our smolts from the River...
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 9 – Mon 30th March 2026
This week fish were caught from Banchory Beat upstream to Headinch and Cambus O May. A total of Sixteen Spring Salmon were landed over the course of the week on middle and upper river beats. Banchory Beat welcomed back Gerald Middleton on Thursday who caught another...
River Dee Fishing Report – Week 10- Mon 6th April 2026
The week brought typical spring weather to Scotland—four seasons in a single day and little predictability. The northeast experienced noticeably cooler conditions than the central belt, and fish seemed reluctant to move, holding tight in the deeper pools.It was,...