It is hard to believe that this was the last week for fishing above Aboyne Bridge, it seems to have come around really quickly in the last few weeks, and the trees have really turned along with the darker evenings coming in now as well. This week was challenging with the changeable weather and river heights, especially with the arrival of storm Amy who gave us a fair battering on Friday evening and Saturday with local roads blocked with fallen trees and debris. This is a good time to say thank you to all our hard-working ghillies and guides on the river, who were no doubt called out last weekend with a chainsaw to help clear up the aftermath that Amy left behind, now we move towards the end of a really tough season with many challenges and a severe lack of water for most of 2025, take stock and start to prepare for 2026.
Around the beats
67 fish to the Dee rods this week, starting with a couple at Tilbouries on the lower river.
The Park beats reported a better September, and they were optimistic for this week. It was mixed with the benefit of more but warmer water, then on Friday the heavy rainfall caused the river to shoot up and colour up. Park beat customers from Scotland, England and France had to vary their casting to contend with the gusting wind and did well to land what they did.
Martin and Patrik Nord completed their half week with Martin landing an impressive 15lber and Patrik 1x salmon and 1x grilse. Jean Etienne Delsuc landed 2 salmon, and his friend Denis Ludjer landed his first Scottish salmon, which was great news. Regulars Andreas Gunst and Robert Bramman landed 1x salmon and 1x grilse respectively. Willima Foster wanted to say well done to all the Park fishers and many thanks to Keith and Shane who kept the guests’ tackle choices in line with the ever changing conditions.
Brian Brogan at Cairnton & Middle Blackhall talked of the highs and lows over the week, the highs being the winds over the last few days making things a little more challenging but then they did get a reasonable rise in water levels on Friday night into Saturday morning, peaking at around 6ft which was the highest the river had been for many months. He said there were certainly enough fish in the beat to keep everyone keen although the catches tell a different story, but luck plays a big part in landing fish! However, their rods did end up with 3 for the week, Andy Ashcroft landing a 5lber in Rockhead on Wednesday and another was landed on the same day in Glister late on. Thursday they had a hold of a few then the wind and rain arrived on Friday. Saturday mornings conditions were looking pretty futile but by the afternoon the river was dropping/clearing so finishing the week off on a high in the Malt Steep regular visitor Giles Field landed a 7lber on a Willie Gunn Snaelda. Well done to all their anglers in tough conditions.
Water heights were 10” on Monday, dropping to 4” on Wednesday. 1ft on Thursday. 2ft and rising on Friday. Saturday 6ft and dropping. Water temperatures were 55/50 Fahrenheit.
At the Ballogie beats David Hook had 2 with his largest of 7lb, David Robson also had 1 at 7lb . I met David Thistlethewaite and his party at Commonty on Friday first thing, as they had secured this lot In the auction last year and were visiting from Lancashire, the river was coming up rapidly after the rain and so they were hoping to get going quickly before the rise became too high.
Other beats with fish to their rods this week were Lower Crathes & West Durris, Crathes Castle, Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo, Upper Blackhall, Woodend, Dess, Birse, Aboyne Water, Dinnet & Crathie.
I wanted to let you know that the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board Annual General Meeting & Annual Public Meeting takes place on Wednesday 29th October 2025 at 7:00 pm at Banchory Lodge
The following matters will be considered:
• The activities of the Board for the year to 1st September 2025
• Consideration of the annual report and accounts
Click on our website for details of how to book a place in person and online, submit a question in advance .- https://riverdee.org.uk/minutes-and-agendas/
The board have requested that we don’t show images of fish caught after the end of September, therefore I have included a picture of an angler in the Cairnton beat this week.
Tight lines if you are fishing in the last week or so of the season, I will be reporting on the September figures in the report next week and mentioning how to enter the trophies for the best fish of the season and the U16 trophy.
Thank you to all those who bid in the River Dee Trust auction, on behalf of the Trustees we are very grateful for your support.
DC
Debbie Cooper
debbie@riverdee.org