River Dee Fishing Report – Week 26 commencing 20th July 2026
Last week was a bit of a grind and at times a lot of a grind. River levels remained stubbornly low while water temperatures crept upwards each afternoon, leaving the early mornings and late evenings as the most sensible periods to fish. Rods have had to work overtime, keeping unsociable hours in pursuit of a pull.
The grilse have been conspicuous by their absence. It’s difficult to know for certain, but it still feels as though there are only a smattering of them in the river. Nicol Paton tells me there are fish lying in the pools and signs of a few more arriving each day, so let’s hope that proves to be the start of something.
Monday passed without incident. Little Blackhall and Inchmarlo got the week underway on Tuesday with an 8lb salmon, while Upper Blackhall landed one from Sandy Hole for James Skelton.
Thursday brought a modest improvement. Little Blackhall and Inchmarlo added another two fish, while Louis Georgio landed one from the Station Stream at Banchory on a Sunray. Upper Blackhall recorded their second of the week from the Corner Pool, and Birse also got on the scoresheet with a fish on a Francis from Big Jetty.
Little Blackhall added another couple on Friday. Tilbouries & Middle Drum and Park both recorded their first fish of the week, before Tilbouries repeated the feat on Saturday with another two fish and Park added one more. Mr Washiya landed a fresh-run 8lb salmon at Tilbouries, with syndicate rods also enjoying success.
William Foster of Park reports:
“Last week was slow, although we weren’t blank with two grilse landed, both around 5lbs. Regular summer guest Carlos Garza Fernandez landed one on Friday in the Long Pool on the north bank, while ex-Park ghillie and long-time customer Bert Webster landed another in Greenbank on the south bank on Saturday. They both did very well considering the conditions. We have seen good numbers of salmon in the teens in Castleton, so hopefully we can tempt one or two onto the fly as they become more active.”
Outlook
There is finally a little more encouragement in the forecast. A weakening of the high-pressure system should allow Atlantic weather to reassert itself. Rain arrived overnight into Sunday across parts of the Dee catchment, with further showers and occasional longer spells of rain possible through the week. Temperatures also look considerably more sensible, generally sitting in the mid to high teens rather than the mid-twenties.
It is unlikely to be a game-changing deluge, but after several weeks of relentless dry weather, almost anything that falls from the sky without producing sunburn feels like progress. More importantly, the cooler conditions should help keep water temperatures in check, while any freshening of river levels will be welcomed by anglers and fish alike.
The forecast remains unsettled, with showers, brighter interludes and the possibility of heavier rain later in the week. As ever at this time of year, we’d gladly exchange a barbecue forecast for one involving waterproofs.
The ghillies will each have their own thoughts on fly choice, but a selection of small dressed doubles, Silver Stoats, Crathies, small Cascades, Flamethrowers and similar patterns should cover most eventualities. Full floating lines and a range of polyleaders remain the basic staple.
As ever, listen to your ghillie.
Ross Macdonald