Park North - River Dee

I had a day on the Park north beat of the River Dee earlier this week and I was delighted to open my account for the 2019 season with a nice wee fish from the Bulwarks Pool. Although not sea liced it was fresh as they come. The river was quite low for the time of year and was sitting at 14in on the beat gauge. It was a day for the floating line and sink tips with small tube flies. A wee Black & Yellow tube proved irresistible for this fish. The pressure is off now!

My first springer of the 2019 season ready to be returned to the River Dee. 

Park South - River Dee

I had a day on the Park South beat of the River Dee earlier this month. It was great to finally be able to have a cast on the Dee after a spell of grue and frozen temperatures caused the river to ice up badly.

The view looking downstream into Lower Kirks from the Park South hut.

The snow that had fallen began to melt several days before my arrival and on the day of my fishing the river was sitting at 2ft 3in on the beat gauge. It was a cracking day to be out fishing and I was full of enthusiasm as I was allocated the upper part of the beat to fish in the morning. My day was to begin in the Long Pool.

Looking upstream into the Long Pool from the Upper Kirks.

Looking downstream in the Upper Kirks.

I not long started in the Long Pool when I had a firm take on my fly. I lifted into what felt like a good fish. It refused to show itself and stayed deep and used the current to its advantage. It ran back and forth in the pool several times and I was sure I was into a springer. A quick phone call to the ghille and Stewart was on the back waiting with the net a few minutes later. The fish was still not willing to show itself but it eventually turned on the surface which revealed a large tail which bore some colour. After a realisation this was not a springer I applied a lot of pressure on the fish and got it to the net quickly. It turned out to be a 15lb Baggot which is an un-spawned female salmon. Not what I was after but a cracking scrap all the same.

Looking downstream in the Jetties Pool on Park South.

The remainder of the day proved fruitless for me but there were a few kelts landed by rods on both banks but no takers to my offerings. Despite this, it was a cracking day and it felt good to get out on the Dee again. The hunt for a 2019 Springer continues!

Park North - River Dee Opening Week

The Aberdeenshire River Dee opened for business again on the 1st February and I was fortunate enough to be out fishing on the Park North beat for the opening three days of the season with some good friends. The river had seen plenty days of grue throughout the winter months and as the water temperatures were just hovering above freezing, we were hopeful that a few fish would be present in the pools as they slowly crept their way up river from the North Sea.

A 19lb Opening Week springer caught by Joe Sinclair at Park. What a fish!

The night before Opening Day was a long one. My tackle bag was sorted and ready to go about two weeks before hand as were my fishing rods. My shirt and tie were ironed and my waders and boots were packed. All I had to do was get some sleep. Easier said than done with the prospects of fishing one of the Dee's most productive beats on Opening Day again. I did however, manage to sleep and I was up and raring to go when I woke in the morning. The long wait to fish the Dee again was over!

Bag packed and ready to go!

The well equipped fishing hut at Park North.

Opening Day squad ready to go.

Upon arrival to the beat on Thursday morning we were greeted by Keith Cromar, the Park Estate Head Ghillie. He informed us over a coffee that the water level was sitting at 1ft 6in with a water temperature of 36f. The conditions weren't bad at all and we were all raring to get going. I set up two rods. One was rigged up with a H/I/S1 and a 4 inch per second versi leader and a 1 1/4" Dee Monkey. My second set up was a I/S1/S2 and a 5.6 ips versi leader. I tied on a 2" Black and Yellow weighted tube. These set ups cover most eventualities and are ones I have confidence in.

First cast of 2018 on the River Dee in the Long Pool at Park.

Looking upstream from the Upper Kirks into Long Pool.

I was paired up with my good pal, Charlie Robertson and we were drawn to fish the upper half of the beat first of all with Sean and Joe fishing the lower half. I chose to start my day off in the Long Pool and taking in the Upper and Lower Kirks as I went along. Charlie started in Greenbanks and then Park Inn.

Fishing down the Park Inn.

Looking upstream in Lower Kirks.

Not long after starting in the Long pull I had my first offer of the season from a fish where I swiftly landed a small kelt which was returned without leaving the water. This was to be it for me during the morning session but news soon spread of a nice springer that was landed from the South Bank in the Bulwarks. At least we knew there were fish around and this kept the confidence high although with it being opening day, confidence wasn't an issue and we were just glad to be out on the Dee again.

Pouring a dram during lunch on Opening Day.

Lunch time on day one was spent eating a 3 course meal prepared by Sean and I. Sean had made delicious lentil soup and chocolate orange cheese cakes and I made a big pot of Stovies which is a traditional Scottish dish of potatoes, onions, sausages and gravy. The lunch went down a treat and we soon eager to get get going again.

Looking downstream from the tail of the Durris Stream into Redwell.

The afternoon only produced a couple of kelts for Charlie and I but one of the other rods fishing the North bank with us landed a fresh fish of around 7lb from Redwell. Two opening day fish and numerous kelts was a positive start for Park and it was good to see it was holding a few springers too.

Fishing the Celler in the pouring rain on Opening Day.

Day 2 began with heavy rain and the river soon began to rise. It had risen to 20" on the gauge overnight and had taken on a bit of colour probably due to road run off. The rise in water didn't seem to have much effect on the fish as the kelts were taking readily. I had five in quick succession from the Lower Kirks but a fresh fish was remaining elusive. The heavier sinking set up seemed to be doing the trick with the kelts as I had five in quick succession from the Lower Kirks. An early season springer was still remaining elusive but there was still plenty time for me to get one.

Lower Kirks looking downstream.

Fishing down the Lower Kirks. 

Keith had a phone call from Joe just as he was returning one of my kelts so he quickly made his was down the track to help him out. Just as well he did because Joe managed to land an absolute belter of a fish from the Durris Stream. Keith weighed it in the net and it tipped the scales at hefty 19lb! What a way to opening his account for the season. Early spring fish don't get much better than that and he was understandably delighted. The rest of us had to make do with landed kelts but it was great to see Park producing another early fish. It was off back to the hut to celebrate with a dram or two!

Joe with his prized 19lb February springer from Park.Absolute cracker!

Day 3 was a cold one in comparison the previous couple of days. It was -2C when I arrived in the morning and this cold snap had drawn river levels back in as the gauge was reading 14" first thing. The water temperature had also dropped and was hovering around 34f. This was cold and I opted to keep faith with the heavier set up despite the low water.

Looking upstream in the famous Durris Stream.

I was to fish the lower pools in the morning with Sean and Joe. I started off in the Durris Stream where Joe had got his fish yesterday. The kelts seemed to be playing hard to get for me and although I had several offers, nothing stuck. Same story in Bakebare and the Celler. The other rods didn't have the same problem though as there were numerous kelts landed from both banks throughout the day.

Fishing down the Bakebare Pool.

Looking upstream from mid way down Bakebare.

After lunch I decide to ditch the heavier set up and revert back to the H/I/S1 line. I went with a Gold Willie Gunn this time though. I reached the tail of the Bulwarks pool where I had a good solid draw of the line. I lifted into it but there was nothing there. I covered the same lie for a few more minutes but it didn't come again. Was that a springer? We'll never know but whatever it was, it wasn't for staying hooked.

Fishing down the Bulwarks Pool. I had a good offer just at the tail of the pool which didn't stick.

I finished my three day trip off in the Greenbanks pool where I was joined by Keith. We had a good chat as I fished through the pool. I didn't land anything but I had a kelt on and off briefly and also had several other half hearted takes. That was it for me for the day and as the sun faded I decided to call it a day and wound in.It was back to the hut for a cup of coffee to warm up and to have a final bit of craic with he lads before we all went our separate ways again.

Fishing down the Greenbank Pool on Day 3.

Looking upstream from mid way down Greenbanks.

Another opening week on the Dee has came and gone and the final tally of 20 springers for the three days is pretty decent compared to recent years. Long may this continue and here's hoping the Dee returns to where it should be in terms regaining it's reputation as Scotland's premier spring salmon river.

Fishing down the Bridge Pool.

Charlie puts out a nice, long line in the Bridge Pool.

For anyone interested in fishing on the famous pools of the Park beats details can be found on either the FishDee website or by visiting Park's own web pages. Follow the links listed below and see what's available. It's well worth the money at this time of year as you just never know when a run of fish will appear in the pools fresh out the North Sea. Tight lines!

Park Fishing - River Dee
Park Estate

River Dee Open For Business

The 1st of February signals the opening of the salmon fishing season on the Aberdeenshire River Dee. I will be out in pursuit of a coveted opening day springer again and I hope to continue my lucky streak of catching a fish during this annual trip to Park. Conditions are looking favorable and I can't wait to get out there again and have a cast on the Dee!

An opening day springer from Park, 1st February 2016.

The river levels are looking good and the weather conditions, although promising to be a bit windy, should be fine too. Here's hoping the fish are there in good numbers and the Dee enjoys another resurgent year with improved salmon numbers. A good start tomorrow would go a long way to kick starting that run.

Another February springer caught at Park last year. 

It's not only the Dee that opens tomorrow as there are a few other rivers such as the Tweed which open their doors to anglers again. Good luck to anyone out on the river tomorrow and I'll look forward to seeing the many pictures posted on the various social media sites this week.

Tight Lines

Park - River Dee

I take a day on the River Dee at Park during opening week every year but due to a drop in prices for Spring fishing this year I decided take an extra day and fished the Friday and Saturday instead of just my normal Saturday. I had fished Park on opening day earlier in the week and was delighted to land a sea liced 12lber from the Durris Stream and hopes were high for my other days. Snow melt and heavy rain kept the water levels yo-yoing for most of the time but it was a good water to encourage fish to run the river from the sea.

My Opening Day springer from the Durris Stream on Monday last week. Still smiling!

Fishing down the Park Inn.

Looking upstream towards Silver Spoon from Park Inn.

The Park Estate has taken a battering from the flooding caused by Storm Frank and many of the tracks and pools have suffered as a result, no more so than Cooper's and Bulwarks. The river had breached the flood banks and powered it's way through the fields and woodland until it rejoined the main flow at the Castleton pool where it had swept away the fishing hut on the South bank. Tonnes and tonnes of earth and shingle have been washed out of the fields and the damage caused will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. It's going to take a monumental effort to get, not just Park, but the entire catchment of the Dee back to something like it was before but at least the fishing is still there and anglers can enjoy what the river has to offer despite of what has happened to the surroundings.

Damage to the banks of Bulwarks caused by the New Year flooding.

Massive breach of the bank at Cooper's and the water tearing through here has left a trail of destruction through Park Estate.

Huge amounts of earth and shingle have been shifted here a this is going to take some amount of work to repair.

Another photo of the damage caused by Storm Frank.

Looking upstream where the road ends at the Long Pool. The road used to follow the curve of the river and go right up to the Park Inn.

The fishing on my two days was hampered by strong and gusty winds which made casting accurately very difficult at times. The river was also up and down almost on an hourly basis with snow melt the main cause of this. Despite the conditions we kept trying. Numerous different tactics were deployed as we searched the pools for that fresh run springer we all were craving but sadly it wasn't to be with just a few kelts to show for our efforts. We saw running fish in the latter parts of both days and when a few more decide to run the river then I wouldn't bet against Park picking up a few more before the end of the month.

Fishing down the Long Pool in a biggish water.

Making my way down Lower Kirks in a howling gale.

Castleton. Note the Park South hut is now gone. Another victim of the ferocity shown by Mother Nature at New year.

The Durris Stream seemed to be a good bet for a fish in the rising water and around 3pm on Friday afternoon, the rod on the South bank was into a fish near the tail of the pool. After a short battle the net was slid under a fresh run 10lber. The first fish of the season off the South bank. Not a bad start for Park with two in the book for opening week considering the poor early spring catches of recent seasons. The two fish caught will hopefully bode well for the rest of the spring and I would love to see Park get the good catches we all know it's capable of producing.

Durris Stream. A cracking pool and where I was lucky enough to land my fish on opening day earlier on in the week.

An angler on the South bank getting ready to land a nice, fresh springer around the 10lb mark from the tail of the Durris Stream.

Cellar. Another lovely pool on the Park beat.

There was to be no repeat of Monday's fish for me during my two days fishing but it is always a pleasure to fish at Park and the pools are a joy to cast a fly on. There is just something special about the place whether it being the history of the beat or just the surroundings, I can't quite put my finger on it but it's a beat I will always take the time to have a cast on as there is a great chance your fly will be taken by that coveted prize of an early running fish.

The Park North hut and the newly repaired parking area.

Paul Pritchard and ghillie, Keith Cromar discuss plans for the day ahead.

There is some good availability on both Park and Park South at the moment. With prices slashed by half for the early part of the season it's worth the money taking a day or two as all the fish running the Dee at this time of year will likely have to pass through the pools of Park Estate. For details of the fishing available at Park check out their page on FishDee or visit their own website at www.parkdee.co.uk

Park Junior Day - River Dee

I attended an event hosted by William Foster of Park Estate and Ross McDonald from the River Dee for Junior anglers of all levels who were invited along to fish on the fabled waters of Park. Gary Scott - an AAPGAI casting instructor was on hand to show the kids how to spey cast and to make sure they knew the dangers of the casts. The day couldn't have went any better and conditions were excellent. The river was sitting at around 18" on the beat gauge and there had been good numbers of fish caught leading up to the day which gave them all an extra insentive.

Gary Scott AAPGAI, William Foster, Keith Cromar. Photo: FishDee

A group photo of the attendees at the Park Junior Day. Photo: Gary Scott

I was helping out Aberdeen and District Angling Association junior Sean Rennie as all juniors had to be accompanied by an adult. Sean is a keen salmon angler and is very talented given the short length of time he has been fishing. Although he has caught a few salmon Sean is still very keen to learn and really takes on board what he is being taught.

Casting Instructor Gary Scott addresses the juniors in attendance before showing them the basics of Spey Casting.

The crowd look on as Gary demonstrates the fundamentals of a Spey cast.

After a casting demo by instructor Gary Scott, four of the juniors, who could cast a salmon fly rod competently were sent on their down to fish the famous Durris Stream by ghillie Keith Cromar. Not long after starting we noticed a good run of fresh grilse moving into the pool and the lads were focused on trying to get in contact with one of them. It didn't take long and after a change of fly to an Ally Shrimp and a few tips on the best way to fish the fly in the slower water, Sean had a good solid take from a fish. He lifted into a strong wee grilse and all the lads rushed down to watch him play his fish. Ross and I stood on giving him some advice on playing the fish but he played it like a pro and I soon tailed a cracking sea liced grilse of around 4lb.

Four of the competent junior fish their way down the famous Durris Stream on Park.

ADAA Junior bent into a lively wee grilse in the Durris Stream.

A delighted Sean Rennie poses for a quick photo before returning his fish. Well done Sean!

Sean returns his fish back into the Dee.

There was nothing else caught by any of the other juniors unfortunately but it was great to see Sean land a fish and I think Keith, Ross and myself were as happy as he was! I really enjoy these junior events and it's great to see good numbers attending. Hopefully these kids are now "hooked" on the sport and we will see them fishing on the river banks in the future.