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 anticipation, which we have rolled forward to this week. Some grilse did make an appearance, as they did across Scotland, and should continue to build over the coming weeks. It was a mixed week overhead, the river remained low and SEPA’s move to alert rather confirms that a few showers are not the same thing as rain.
Park started the week quietly. Monday and Tuesday were blank, despite fresh fish moving through the beats. On Wednesday, regular rod Colin Mclean, a very fine angler, landed a fresh 11lbr on the north bank and Jason Scott landed a nice 3lb sea trout on the south. There was a small rise on Thursday, which helped water temperatures. Colin had a nice sea trout, but that was it for the week. The beat was well covered on Friday and Saturday, but without any luck. Crathes also produced a few fish, but they were hard-won.
Banchory had similar positive vibes at the beginning of the week. The rods landed four grilse. Ewan Mclachlan hooked and landed one from the Station Stream on his second cast. Ewan’s dad, Donald, had two; one from Bohore on Lower Blackhall and another from Feugh Mouth. Fresh fish were in evidence but reluctant to take. Neil Handy had one on Thursday from the Station Stream. Alan Faye landed one in the same pool on Saturday. Ewan Mclachlan, who is never far away from the action, landed a liced 13lbr from Holly Bush.
The Pembroke party fished Cairnton last week. Will Pembroke wasted no time in hooking and landing his very first Salmon within 20 minutes of starting. He had a fresh grilse from Glister on a small Posh Tosh. Surprisingly, that was all the action for the week.
Ali McEwan’s rods at Dess included George Chan, who got things going on Tuesday with a resident fish of about 8lb, followed by a brace of sea trout for Lee Mclachlan.
George picked up a sea trout on Thursday followed by a grilse on Saturday.
“Iain Wilson had a good encounter with a fish of 13lb from Lindy’s followed by our first grilse of the season, out of an unnamed pool which we’ve only ever had sea trout from, so we’ll call it ‘Wilson Hole’. However, when he gets another from there it’ll revert back to ‘Wilson’s.’ Well done, Iain, immortality beckons!”
Archie Hay’s rods at Crathie had some sport last week, with some very nice fish.
Archie tells me that Johnathon Ireland’s party landed four in two days. Robert Sanderson had a fine brace of 7 and 8lb, plus Paul Strawson added another 8lbr on Tuesday followed by a 3lb grilse on Wednesday. An evening cast for sea trout also produced a grilse. Dave Noble of Ballater Angling Association then showed how to do the job properly with a 14lb bar of silver.
Outlook
The forecast points towards temperatures rising sharply in the middle of the week, with Aboyne potentially reaching the mid to high 20s Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday. The present forecast suggests only limited potential for showers later in the week.
From Wednesday, warm temperatures and brighter conditions are likely to increase the familiar summer concerns around falling water, rising water temperatures and challenging daytime conditions.
The ghillies will have their own thoughts on fly choice, but the usual mix of small, dressed doubles, Silver Stoats, Crathies, small Cascades, Flamethrowers and similar patterns should cover most eventualities. Full floating lines and a mix of poly leaders remain the basic staple. Also, as was rightly suggested to me the other day, don’t forget the hitch.
As ever, listen to your ghillie.
Ross Macdonald