River Dee Fishing Report – Week 27 commencing 27th July 2026
It was a much better week on the river. A run of fish appeared despite the very low water and, as overhead conditions improved, catches gathered momentum, culminating in an excellent final three days.
It was a quiet start, but the two salmon landed on Monday included a first Dee salmon for Mr Foynes at Dess. Cairnton & Middle Blackhall produced a fresh 4lb grilse for Andy Northeast.
Tuesday followed a similar pattern, with single fish reported from Tilbouries & Middle Drum, Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo and Dess, where Marek Staszewski landed one from the Mill Pool.
Wednesday brought a further eight salmon. Park, Lower Crathes W Durris and Dess each landed two fish, with singles from Tilbouries & Middle Drum and Cairnton & Middle Blackhall. Nick Drake enjoyed a memorable day at Park South, landing a brace of fresh 8lb salmon from the Long Pool. Earlier this year Nick and his wife Jo walked the full length of the Dee in memory of their son Charlie, raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The second half of the week began with twenty salmon reported on Thursday. Neil Stephenson was in the thick of the action at Tilbouries & Middle Drum, landing six fish and dropping as many again. Cairnton & Middle Blackhall added four, with David Jacobs following up Wednesday’s grilse with another three fish. Sarah Tetley landed the fourth. Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo continued their consistent week with three fish, while Park added another three. Tim Sperring landed a grilse from the Long Pool and regular rod Jason Scott chipped in with two salmon from the same pool. Lower Crathes W Durris and Woodend also got on the scoresheet. There was also plenty of lost fish with Dess ghillie noting his four losses as par for the course with fresh grilse.
The ball kept rolling on Friday with another eighteen salmon reported. Park continued its good run of form with seven fish. Summer regulars John Shipman and Stephen Bracewell each landed three. Fishing the south bank, John landed a salmon and a grilse from the House Pool before adding another grilse from Greenbank. Stephen, fishing the north bank, landed two salmon from the House Pool and another from Greenbank. Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo continued to tick over with another three fish, Tilbouries & Middle Drum and Cairnton & Middle Blackhall each had two, while Lower Crathes W Durris, Banchory, Sluie and Aboyne Water all recorded singles.
The first day of August proved to be the standout day of the week, with twenty-six salmon reported. Park again led the way with eight fish. John Fraser, who never leaves much in the tank, was rewarded with six salmon. Dess enjoyed an excellent day with five fish, including three for Sandy Datta and a brace for Stephen Moir. It was good to see Upper Drum & Lower Durris, get in on the action with Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo and Sluie each landing three. Cairnton & Middle Blackhall, Banchory, Aboyne Water and Dinnet all added singles.
Outlook
The outlook is decidedly more unsettled, which comes at a good time. There are fish in reasonable numbers on the lower river and, if conditions play ball, there is every chance of another productive week.
Rather than the prolonged sunshine that dominated much of July, the forecast is for a succession of cloudy days with showers and, hopefully, some proper rain. Temperatures are expected to sit around 15–16°C, which should help keep water temperatures under control.
Whether enough rain falls to produce a meaningful lift in river levels remains the key question. At the very least, the cooler, cloudier conditions should prove far more favourable than those we’ve endured recently, and rods will take encouragement from the morale-boosting run of fish seen towards the end of last week.
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