This week our fortunes seemed to turn with the arrival of more water and cooler air temperatures, close to 150 salmon to the Dee rods with a fish at one of the lower river beats weighing in at 28lbs, I can imagine it took a while for the adrenaline to subside on that beat for the angler and the ghillie involved and I hope they both had a dram or two to celebrate the occasion. Debbie is on holiday this week, so I am compiling the report from what I can glean, anything we have inadvertently missed we can add back on next week.
Around the beats
Anglers caught fish all along the river this week from ADAA beats in Aberdeen right up to Crathie, Woodend was top for numbers with 16 fish to their rods and the largest being 23lb. Many beats got into double figures for the number of fish to the rods and weights this week which is a good sign coming up to the end of the season.
On the Aberdeen District Angling Association Beats, their anglers finished the week with 3 Grilse, two from Garthdee Beat and one further upstream at Kingcausie, along with 6 Sea trout and 5 Finnock.
Upstream at Tilbouries, Nicol Paton was pleased to let me know that one of his guests had a red-letter day last week. Angler Andrew Goodenough fishing on Friday hooked 7 Salmon and managed to land 5 of them up to 10lb, which is indeed a fishing day to remember! Another Tilbouries angler Neil Stephenson landed two Salmon to 6lb.
At Park, they welcomed back regular guests from Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, England and France. Who all fished hard landing a total of 13 salmon and 1 Sea Trout. The rise in water improved things with a slight rise in water temperatures. As Autumn is in full swing now the river temperature has begun to drop slightly which is good news for the anglers. They landed two silver fish which is encouraging to see. Some notable catches were Frederic Andre, who landed 6 Grilse and a nice Salmon of 13lb. Also, Pascal Nicholas who landed 4 grilse. Jim Bolton landed a salmon for his half week and Alex Buchan caught a Salmon for his day.
Brian Brogan at Cairnton & Middle Blackhall reported that they had 8 fish to 15lb for the week, the fish caught were spread throughout the beats. Successful flies included Brown Pigs and Yellow Ally’s.
15lb Salmon from Cairnton.
Another one for Cairnton.
At Dess, Ali McEwan got in touch to say, that he started off the week with Peter Nussey and his family, after a rough few months for Peter he was delighted to see him get us off the mark on Monday morning. The other highlight was Peter’s grandson managing his first ever salmon on Tuesday which gave him a great fight in the bigger water. The second half of the week they had a party here with Murdo Crosby who many will know from the Cree Hatchery. Murdo and his brother Roddy picked away in slightly tougher conditions to finish the week with 11 landed and half a dozen lost.
At Aboyne Castle & Craigendinnie – Edward Humphrey reported success for rods on both beats. Patrick Vivario landed a 6lb fish in Symmons on Monday on a size 12 Cascade. Aboyne Castle beat Manager Edward Humphrey had donated days to the SGA Auction, but conditions were so poor in May the party had rebooked for this week. Angela Walker landed her first Dee salmon of 6lbs from Tanar Mouth to be followed the next day by her second also at 6lbs, from the Lorne pool, so many congratulations. To finish the week beat regular Gary Finlayson landed 2 fish on Friday from Symmons and his first ever from Browns Corner, all fish being caught on the Cascade Fly.
On the opposite bank at Craigendinnie father and son Peter and Harry Wheelhouse accounted for 3 salmon to 15lbs and s 5lb sea trout from Plantation, Middle Fontie and Tanarmouth pools respectively.
Other beats with fish this week were, Lower Crathes & West Durris, Crathes Castle Banchory, Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo, Upper Blackhall, Sluie, Ballogie, Birse, Aboyne Water, Waterside & Ferrar, Dinnet, Headinch & Cambus O’May and Crathie.
Just a quick reminder that the River Dee Trust Auction is now live until Sunday 5th October at 5pm.
We have a broad selection this year with fishing, stalking, private chef, experiences, art and gifts. Silent auction items here – https://uk2.emma-live.com/riverdeetrust/list-silent-lots
New for 2025 the prize draw with 3 opportunities to win – £20 a ticket and click here https://uk2.emma-live.com/riverdeetrust/prize-draw
This week it is going to turn cooler, and I hear we may even get the first sprinkling of snow up on the Cairngorms.
Tight lines
Mark Walker
markwalker@riverdee.org