I attended the 2012 River Dee opening ceremony this morning at the Potarch bridge. There was a really good turn out and excellent conditions for fishing. The first fish to filter through was caught from the Commonty beat about 10am. It weighed 12lbs. After some complimentary bacon butties and Dee Drams, the 200 strong crowd headed down to the Ballogie beat's Bridge Pool where comedian and Dee fisherman Paul Whitehouse had the honour of the first cast. He gave a speech about his love for the Dee and poured a quaich of whiskey into the river. Mark Bilsby also informed the crowd that the 2 week extension had been agreed to be made permanent. Good news! There was a few famous faces around from the world of angling here today and I managed to get my picture taken with fishing expert and Dee supporter Matt Hayes. I also had a chat with the inventor of the world famous Park shrimp fly, Ross MacDonald. Both were very nice guys and a pleasure to meet. After the ceremony I headed off downstream for a cast on the Aberdeen District Angling Association beat, Banchory Devenick. I didn't see anything but it was good to blow away the cobwebs and cast a line again. Here are some pictures and a video from today.
Comedian and Dee angler Paul Whitehouse giving an interview for TV shortly before officially opening the River Dee season 2012. Wonder if he used his new waders he bought with the money he saved on his insurance from Aviva!
Ross MacDonald and Matt Hayes having a chat. I did ask their permission to take this photo and Matt Hayes thought it would be a good shot to have them talking.
River Dee Fisheries Development Officer Ken Reid. Ken and his team have done a wonderful job promoting the river and Deeside in general. They have secured many funds along the way which all go back into improving this world class fishery. Also a big thanks for organising the event today which went smoothly from start to finish. Well Done.
Potarch Bridge. Lovely area of Deeside. The Potarch hotel supplied all the refreshments for today. The bacon buttie and coffee went down a treat! Whyte & Mackay also provided free Dee Drams. Cheers guys!
Paul Whitehouse blessing the river and Ballogie Ghillie Sean Stanton waiting to hand over the rod.
Apologies for the dodgy videos but I was taking stills with my other hand!!! Not such a good idea but it seemed like it at the time.
Myself posing for a photo with Matt Hayes. Matt has donated some fishing in June on the River Gaula in Norway. This is for the River Dee auction to be held in London on March 1st.
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