We appear to have been tricked into an early spring, leaving nature a little confused. I had frost on the lawn on Saturday morning, yet tomorrow the forecast predicts 12 degrees. The snow on the hilltops is melting again, but the blue sky and sunshine make a welcome change and a great time to be out in the fresh air.
News from the beats
Good news from the well‑known Banchory beat: the first springer of their season was caught on Monday morning by Davie Morrison from Glasgow, a keen and regular visitor to the Dee. The bright 9lb silver fish was taken on a black‑and‑yellow tube fly, fished with a float and sink tip from the Bohore Pool on the Lower Blackhall beat. Well done, and haste ye back, Davie!
Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo also got their 2026 season off the mark with a 7lb springer — let’s hope it’s the first of many for both beats.
Brian Brogan from the Cairnton & Middle Blackhall beats reported that it’s quite amazing how, since the start of the season, the days have already stretched, with more light in the mornings and evenings. Even the rain eased off for a few days at the start of the week, though the last couple of days brought a little rain and higher air temperatures. It was an encouraging start to their week, with three fish landed: Iain Wilson had a liced 9‑lber on Monday in the Old Garden on a Posh Tosh; on Tuesday, Jamie McCulloch caught a lovely 7‑lber in Malt Steep on a Monkey; and on Wednesday, Rob Mason landed an 8‑lber from the Garden Run, also on a Monkey. Heights were 2’5” on Monday, 1’9” on Friday, and 2’4” and rising on Saturday. Water temperatures ranged between 33.5 and 40°F.
Angus Rutherford dropped me a note from Upper Blackhall. They concluded the week with two fish caught on Friday, both reported by John Fraser. The first fish was a good-sized one, estimated at approximately 12 lb, followed shortly afterwards by a second fish of around 7 lb. Both fish were taken from the Big Girnal Pool.
Woodend beat reported a lovely, bright fish of around 10 lb from the Moral Pool, caught by Andrew Goodenough — another regular on the Dee. Well done to him.
I popped in past the Sluie beat on Saturday to see how Fiona Robertson and Jacqui Robertson were getting on, as they were out on the water for the first time this season. It was a tough day, with a breeze and the water rising by around six inches overnight due to snowmelt. We had a good blether and a cuppa in the fishing hut while they warmed up. No fish this time, but still a good day on the river — and no rain!
Alice Nicol from Ballogie Estate got in touch to say that all three of their beats — Commonty, Ballogie, and Carlogie — produced fish this week. Congratulations to local angler David Niven, who caught a lovely springer on Carlogie Beat on Saturday 21st.
Alice also asked me to let you know that both Ballogie and Carlogie have been opened up for day‑rods until Saturday 14th March this year, and bookings can be made via FishPal.
News from the River Office
It’s just a week now until the Upper River opens for fishing and more visitors return to Deeside. We still have one space available on our Come & Try Day on Saturday 14th March at Banchory. If you know someone who would like to try salmon fishing and see if it is for them, this is a great opportunity. Please get in touch for more details.
For those of you interested in the work of the River Dee Trust , since 2018 we have operated a Vaki fish counter at the Falls of Muick, nr Ballater showing how the fish ladder improves access upstream. In 2025, 31 salmon and 52 sea trout passed into the upper reaches. Although 2025 dropped below the 2024 peak, it remained well above 2023 levels. Low rainfall and reduced river flows may have contributed to fewer fish moving upstream.
Click here to see the report in full and data –Fish Counter 2025
Looking at FishPal, I can see that availability for this season is being added daily, so why not plan your 2026 visit to Royal Deeside?
Tight lines.
DC
Debbie Cooper
pictured – fish to the rod of Davie Morrison at Banchory