As we head towards the end of September, we see the highest number of fish to the rods this week that we have recorded all season, it is good to know that fish are travelling up the river now with the cooler days and nights. The River Dee Trust auction is running until Sunday 5th October and we have a selection of fishing and stalking lots, details towards the end of my report, why not take a look with a cuppa or a dram?
Around the beats
Once again, we had anglers on the beats catching salmon from Crathie near Braemar down to Altries closer to the City of Aberdeen.
Tilbouries and Middle Drum beat welcomed James Paget from Bristol for three days guided fishing on the Dee with the Scottish Fly Fishing Co, James landed 2 and lost 2 and had a number of pulls. Tilbouries syndicate member and DDSFB board member Martin Gardner landed a nice grilse and his good friend Martin Webster followed up swiftly with a nice fish of around 6lbs on Monday. Derek McGregor and Mark Lockyer were also on the score board with a fish each. On Thursday there were anglers from Herefordshire, Simon Talkington landed a nice fish of 6lbs after losing 2 and syndicate member Alan Littlejohn landed a 6lb grilse, also after losing 2. On Saturday local angler Mark Lough was fishing and swiftly landed 2 fish from the Kelpie Pool and then went down to Alfred’s pot and hooked a very big fish! After a strong battle, sadly the fish threw the hook, the fish was estimated to be over the 20lb mark. A good week with 10 fish landed and a lot of pulls and fish lost on the beat.
The Park beats had returning regular customers from Scotland, England, France and Sweden who enjoyed calmer weather and a slowly dropping river which came alive with the lower water temperature so that they ended up with 37 salmon landed for the week.
There were some stand out performances and a good spread of catches up and down the beat. David Hook landed 7 salmon up to 15lbs for his 3 days and Steve Wellard landed 9 salmon up to 19lbs for his week. Steve had an even bigger fish on in the Kirks, which unfortunately got away. Jean Claude Rouiller fished well and also had a very successful week landing 12 salmon. Brothers Martin and Patrik Nord had an enjoyable couple of days landing 1 and 4 salmon respectively. Robert Bramman landed a 10lber and David Allen landed a 5lber. Many congratulations to all. William Foster wanted to say thank you to Bert Webster and Shane Christie for looking after their guests.
The earlier half of the week produced 7 fish for Banchory beat all taken from around the mouth of the Feugh thus providing good entertainment for the residents at Banchory Lodge. Fish ranged in weight from 4lbs to 10lbs. Successful anglers were mainly regulars to the river, Christophe Cuenot from France, Joakim Noren from Sweden and Colin Harvey from the Severn valley along with James Livingstone from Stamford who having recently retired was reacquainting himself with salmon fishing. Joakim had a purple patch on Tuesday evening taking 3 fish on a very small Red Francis to add to the one he had the previous morning on a large Cascade.
Brian Brogan at Cairnton & Middle Blackhall reported on a lovely autumnal week with a couple of early morning frosts, some beautiful sunny days, chilly breezes and skene’s of geese overhead. They had 9 salmon to the rods for the week, all being 4 to 7lb ish and on a variety of flies including small Ally’s, Posh Tosh’s and Munro Killers. Brian said there does seem to be a reasonable number of fish in their beat pools. Too many names to mention who caught what and where but a great effort from Jacquey Goodchild in the Grey Mare where she landed a lovely 6lber and lost another. Water temperatures this week were 47/52 Fahrenheit and water heights were 6” Monday and by Saturday down to just 2”.
I heard that David Hook had 4 salmon, the biggest being 16lbs at the Ballogie beat.
Peter Gilbert had a 6lber, and Simon Mablethorpe had 2 with the biggest weighing in at 6lbs at Carlogie beat.
In the upper river at Craigendinnie, winner of the Tor Na Coille Trophy for 2026 – Graeme Ritchie worked hard for 4lb grilse from Tanar Mouth and a 7lb fish from Middle Fontie both on a size 12 Cascade. That fly was also responsible for another 7lb fish in Upper Fontie to the rod of Harvey Norman later in the week. After a heart attack a good few months ago, Harvey was determined to fish again on his beloved Dee, he and his family have fished and supported the upper river beats for decades, so it was a trip worthwhile and just rewards for his perseverance when others may have given up!
Dinnet beat had 12 salmon for the week, Tony, Graham and Paul shared 11 between them to 7lbs including a first fly caught salmon for Paul.
As mentioned at the start if my report River Dee Trust Auction close on Sunday 5th October at 5pm, we are on a new software system this year but it its very easy to register and you can bid anonymously if you wish.
Browse the fishing lots.
- One week’s fishing for 2 at Grimersta, Isle of Lewis, Full board.
- One week’s fishing for 2 on the Glenmuick beat, Dee.
- 3 days & 4 nights for 4 rods at Cambus O’May , Dee.
- 2 days & 3 nights for 4 rods at Altries, Dee
- Days at Balmoral , Upper Drum & Lower Durris, Monaltrie & Commonty on the Dee.
Browse the stalking lots.
- Roe Buck or Muntjac in Somerset, England.
- Roe stalking on the Fyvie Estate, Aberdeenshire.
- Hind stalking with stay at Glenmuick Estate, Royal Deeside.
- Red Hind or Roe Doe Stalking at Glen Tanar, Royal Deeside.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL LOTS – https://uk2.emma-live.com/riverdeetrust/list-silent-lots
New for 2025 the prize draw with 3 opportunities to win a stay in the Highlands in a shepherds hut, an Araminta Campbell gift set or a fantastic hamper including everything you need for a day on the river – £20 a ticket and click here https://uk2.emma-live.com/riverdeetrust/prize-draw
We move into the last week of September and the final week of fishing above Aboyne bridge, tight lines to those visiting the Dee this coming week.
Debbie Cooper