Another welcome uplift in water levels on the Dee this week thankfully and a very autumnal feel to the weather overall, 99 salmon/grilse reported to FishPal, and it was great to be out and about seeing anglers heading to beats with rod racks on, up and down the Dee valley.
Around the beats
Dave Clement at Altries told me that the beat had 4 fish last week. 2 for the French party and the others to regular rods who have been fishing the beat for years. Weights coming in at 4, 4, 4 & 6lbs.
William Foster from Park dropped me a note to say that they had noticed that the much cooler water temperatures and rain in the Cairngorms helped the river last week. Their customers did well considering the changing water clarity and conditions, especially gusting winds. Regulars and first timers enjoyed the variety of pools and some tight lines; Mark Czerniakiewicz landed his first salmon on the Dee on his first day fishing the Dee, which was a fantastic result. It was a pleasure to welcome back David Jacobs and his team who fished hard and were rewarded with a grilse for David, 3x salmon to 8lbs for Rob Tetley and a nice 11lber for Philip Pinney, many congratulations all. Regular Phil Crawford landed a sea trout; regular Alice Foster landed a large 4lb sea trout and regular Stewart Horne landed a salmon for his day. It was also encouraging to see some larger salmon on the score sheet with regular Michael Hodson landing 2x salmon up to 16lbs and regular Jason Scott landing 2x salmon up to 14lbs. A great effort by all with Keith Cromar and Shane Christie working hard to keep the customers’ fly choice in line with the changing conditions.
Banchory created a great Dee memory for Sven Olav who was visiting from Sweden celebrating his 80th birthday fishing on the Dee and catching a lovely 7lber from the hotel pool, I gather he has already booked his return trip to the beat for his 81st! Andrew Ramsey and Chris Cook also got on the score sheet this week, well done to them. Local father and son duo Iain and James Wynn were fishing at the Banchory beat, I gather Iain still has the upper hand on the family tally for this season with a fish to his rod mid-morning Saturday, but the ever- competitive young James has a few more weeks left to level up!
Brian Brogan at Cairnton & Middle Blackhall reported a small lift in water by Tuesday of 6” & dropping back by Wednesday but by mid-morning on Thursday the river started rising like a tide with overnight rain and turning very dirty with plenty of debris coming down. The following couple of days they had good levels and fish about but as usual they were not very keen however anglers did end up with 5 fish to 16lb for the week with Grahame Reid landing the 16lber in Kelpie on a small Cascade. Water heights varied between 2” to over 3ft and by end of play Saturday 10”. Water temperatures were 58/52 Fahrenheit.
Brian had the pleasure of welcoming new anglers to the beat this week with the addition of local Ballater piper James Cooper to kick things off on Thursday.
Woodend had a fish of 20lb this week to the rod of Frenchman Gerrard Cheynoux from the Morel Pool, many congratulations to him.
Martin Robson at Birse has asked me to mention that they still have some late availability if you are looking to fish before the end of the season then check FishPal.
Ali McEwan at Dess saidthat things eventually picked up a bit after the rise mid-week, when the sea trout switched on for a day or two after the river peaked, the beat finished the week well on Saturday with all their guests hooking salmon, Kevin Taylor landed a couple and Colin Maclaren had one. Thanks to Nicol Paton from the Scottish Fly Fishing Company who looked after a novice in the group.
At Aboyne Castle regular rod Martin Gardiner enticed a 5lb grilse to take his size 14 cascade in Tanar Mouth while on Craigendinnie Richard Harries enjoyed the much improved water level on Saturday to land two grilse of 5 & 3lbs from Middle Fontie as well as a 4lb sea trout all on different flies.
Last week the Dee Damsels Ladies fishing group were on the Dinnet beat for the week. The team had two fish and a few lost. Fiona Robertson had a 6lber from 29 and Faye Gauld had a 5lber from Pol Slachd, both on Friday, well done to them.
Headinch & Cambus had a little action over last couple weeks. Ken Macgregor had a 5lb grilse from Lower bell hole 2 weeks ago on a Red Devil. Other anglers had 2 salmon and a sea trout on a Red Francis from Lower Bellhole and Long Pool. 3 other sea trout were also caught by the Cambus rods.
Other beats with fish this week were Tilbouries & Middle Drum, Upper Drum and Lower Durris, Lower Crathes & West Durris, Tilquhillie, Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo, Sluie, The Ballogie Beats, Birse, Aboyne Water, Glenmuick and Crathie.
I wanted to let you know that the annual River Dee Trust Auction is now live until Sunday 5th October at 5pm.
Thank you to all those individuals and businesses that have donated lots this year, it is appreciated. We will be adding lots this Friday and next Friday to boost additional interest for bidders.
We have a broad selection this year and some new lots for you to browse.
Silent auction items here –RDT silent auction lots
We have a prize draw this year with 3 opportunities to win – £20 a ticket and the link is here – RDT Prize Draw
So, why not get a coffee, a dram and your favourite snacks and have a browse!
Looking ahead at the weather forecast and taking into account the rain over this last weekend there has been a big rise in the river, which should help this week, fingers crossed.
Tight lines
DC
Debbie Cooper
Pictured – Group at Cairnton with a piper in September 2025