River Dee Auction 2015

The River Dee Auction has gone live as of today and there are some fantastic lots up for grape including fishing on some of the prime River Dee beats, salmon flies tied by some top fly tiers (I was delighted to donate a box of 12 of my Kitchen Sink Shrimp) alcoholic beverages, art and much, much more.

Follow the link below to view the catalogue and register to vote if anything takes your fancy. All proceeds go towards the river which is a very good cause if you like salmon fishing or just Royal Deeside in general.

River Dee Auction 2015

To find out more about the River Dee and what happens on the river and catchment follow this link.

The River Dee

Mackenzie DTX Demo Day

Along with my uncle Stuart, we organised a Scott Mackenzie DTX Demo Day here in Aberdeenshire. The event was held in the Aberdeen and District Angling Association HQ on the banks of the River Dee. Scott, who is a 3 times World Spey Casting Champion explained his Spey casting techniques to the crowd and he was assisted on the day by Ben Dixon, who is one of his Pro Team members. For more info about Scott's fantastic range of rods and lines visit his website. Mackenzieflyfishing.com

The poster we made up to advertise the day.

A few people starting to appear in the morning. Apart from a strong wind, the weather was fine until we started the casting demos! Typical.

There was a decent enough turn out despite the poor weather conditions. We had high winds and rain for a large part of the event but it was good to see that people still made the effort to come along and try out rods and lines or to see the Fly Tiers in action.

ADAA members Benny and Dave kindly volunteered to cook the bacon and sausages and serve the teas and coffees. We couldn't have done it without them. Thank you gents, it was much appreciated.

A crowd gather round to watch the first casting demo by Scott Mackenzie and Ben Dixon.

Scott explains the basics of Spey Casting to the audience.

Ben Dixon takes over to demonstrate a few of the different Spey casts.

There was also Fly Tying Demos from Ross McDonald and Sean Stanton. They are two of the best fly tiers around, not just locally, but nationally. Their patterns such as the Park Shrimp (Ross) and Franc N Snaelda (Sean) account for hundreds of Atlantic Salmon every year. When the rain started pouring down it was good to come inside and see these guys in action. Check out their websites McDonald Salmon Flies and Franc N Snaelda

Sean and Ross ready to show off their fly tying.

Park Shrimp creator, Ross McDonanld.

A fantastic box of flies donated by Sean Stanton as the first prize in our raffle. A really nice gesture and it was very much appreciated by the ADAA. One lucky lad when home with these beauties and I'm sure he will catch numerous salmon with them.

There was also the River Dee beer, Thunder and Lightning displayed by The Deeside Drink Emporium of which a percentage of the profits from this very tasty beer go to the River Dee Trust. So drinking beer has never so beneficial! Check out their Facebook page for more details. Deeside Drinks Emporium Facebook Page

The Thunder and Lightning Beer which is available to buy from the Deeside Drinks Emporium in Banchory.

All in all it was a good day but you can do all the planning and organising you want but the only thing that you can't control is the weather. We were just unfortunate that it turned against us the day before the event with strong winds whipping up which made casting fly lines very tricky. Still, it is always good to attend these events and it raised over £180 pound which is going towards buying equipment for the Junior Angler Events which the ADAA host several times a year.

Lastly, I would just like to thank everyone who gave up their time to come along to the event. A big thank you to Scott Mackenzie for agreeing to do the event in the first place. Also to Ben Dixon for helping him out. A huge thank you to Benny and Dave who did a marvelous job keeping everyone in tea, coffee and rolls throughout the day. Thanks to Sean Stanton and Ross McDonald for showing all us amateur fly tiers just how it's done. These guys make it look so easy. And a final thanks to Deeside Drink Emporium for showcasing the Thunder and Lightning beer. Keep a look out for future events on the ADAA Facebook page.

Pitlochrie - River Tay

Having never cast a line during January before, I had planned to fish the Friday and Saturday of the opening week on the River Helmsdale. However, with the recent gales, blizzards and heavy snow making for some dangerous driving conditions, I decided not to attempt the 4 hour journey. Instead, I ended up on Tayside thanks to a last minute invite from Andy Pelc. The opportunity to fish the Mighty Tay was too good to refuse and it gave me the chance to see what my new 15ft Mackenzie shooting head rod was capable of.

After a 2 hour drive, I arrived at the Tayside Hotel in Stanley where I was to meet Andy along with fellow pro board forum members Bill, Kenny, Alan, Malcolm and Craig. It's always good catching up with lads from the forum on the river as it's always good craic.

We made the short trip down to the beat where we were met by head ghillie Bob White and his underghillie Calum. Bob informed us that the water height was sitting around the 7ft mark and dropping. The water temperature was just a tad above 37f. Bob briefed us on the tactics suitable for the day and told us where we would be fishing for the morning. I tackled up with a Mackenzie intermediate shooting head and a 10 ft super fast tip. Fly of choice was a 1" brass Cascade Snaelda with a tungsten cone head.

The Pitlochrie Pool.

Malcolm fishing from the boat with Calum in the morning.

Kenny, Bill, and I were to fish the Pitlochrie pool from the left bank whilst Malcolm fished it from the boat on the opposite side. The Pitlochrie pool is a huge bit of water but was at a good height to be fished off the bank. Kenny started at the top of the pool whilst Bill went in below him. I slotted in about a third of the way down the pool. I started fishing a short line and gradually lengthened it until I was throwing a fairly long line across the pool.

Looking upstream from the bank of the Pitlochrie pool towards Bill and Kenny.

I couldn't have had any more than 3 or 4 casts when I had an offer. The fish didn't seem to do much so I didn't either. Just as I started to move the rod, the fish began to shake it's head. I firmly lifted into it but it was only on for about 20 seconds before coming off. I'm pretty sure it was just a kelt anyway.

I had brief hold of a fish in here not long after starting but it came off.

We did see one or two fish show and apart from landing a small trout, that was it for the morning. Malcolm had brief contact with a fish from the boat and so did Calum but nothing was landed from the other bank either. Calum picked us up in the boat just before 1pm and we headed off for lunch.

The old wash house which is used as the fishing hut.

During these kind of trips, lunchtimes are always fascinating. Everyone shares their experiences and observations of all thing salmon fishing and I never get bored of listening to stories about prized catches or the strange methods of which salmon have been caught. Before we knew it, it was 2 o'clock and time to get going again.

The inside of the fishing hut at Pitlochrie.

I was to spend the afternoon out in the boat with Andy and Bob doing a bit of harling. This was something I had never done before so was keen to give it a go. Harling involves using three rods fishing lures out the back of the boat. The boatman uses his skill of the boat and knowledge of the pool to work the lures over the lies. This method of fishing is almost unique to the Tay and is a very effective way of catching salmon.

Harling the Wash House pool with Bob and Andy.

Not long after starting in the Wash house pool, the middle rod had a fish on and was handed to me. After a dogged scrap, a well mended kelt was soon in the net. Not the springer we were after but never the less, it was good to get a bend in the rod after the close season. We gave the pool a good going over before heading up to harl the Pitlochrie pool. Although we were sure to connect with at least a kelt, the fish had other ideas and we didn't get a touch.

Bob unhooking a kelt caught whilst harling in the boat..

Craig did have hold of a fish whilst fishing out of Calum's boat but it evaded capture just as he was gearing it up for the net. We made our way back to the hut about 4pm as the light was fading fast. Kenny landed a sea trout kelt from one of the upper pools in afternoon and apart from a couple of offers for Malcolm, that was it for the afternoon.

Craig fishing the Pitlochrie pool from the boat with Calum.

Time to call it a day. Heading back to the hut after harling the Pitlochrie pool.

This was only my second time on the Tay and it was very enjoyable, despite it being a cold January day. I can see why some many anglers love this river. It's sheer size could be quite daunting if you have never fished it before but as long as you listen to the ghillie and fish the likely spots things are much easier. I will certainly look forward to fishing the Mighty Tay again and with spring fishing available at very affordable prices, that time might not be too far away. There is nothing better than getting out fishing again after the close season especially when it's with good company and I am grateful to Andy for asking me down.

Bob updates his own blog about the River Tay on a regular basis and you can keep up to date with how the river is doing by following the link below.
Salmon Fishing Scotland 

Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo - River Dee

On Friday, I was delighted to accept a last minute invite from ghillie, Terry Paton to fish the Inchmarlo beat of the River Dee near Banchory on Saturday. With the water a good height and sitting around 2ft 2in on the Woodend gauge, Terry was confident that there was a great chance of getting a fish or two. We discussed tactics for the day over a cup of coffee in the hut and decided that getting down in front of the fish using sinking lines and tubes would be our best bet. I tackled up with my 14' 9" Guideline rod and my intermediate Scott MacKenzie shooting head. I attached a 6ft 5.6ips tip and to that, a Red Francis before changing to a pink Franc N Snaelda not long after starting.

The fishing hut on the Inchmarlo bank.

Terry suggest giving the top part of the beat a quick run through before concentrating on the area opposite the gauge on the Little Blackhall side slightly further downstream which I did without getting an offer so I changed fly over to a pink Franc N Snaelda to fish the next pool.

Ice House. The upper most pool on the Inchmarlo beat.

I moved on down to the next pools which were Holly Bush and Sandy Bay. These were where Terry had suggested I concentrate my efforts as they were at a good height and would give a good chance of getting a fish. I fished the first 20 yards or so without an offer but there was a few fish showing about mid stream just off a likely looking lie. Terry advised to cast as long a line as possible just to allow the fly to get down deeper as it came into the lie, which I did. As my fly swung round I began to fish it sink and draw and just as it past the lie, I had a thumping take. I lifted into, what was, a very strong and lively fish. After a few minutes and some acrobatics, I managed to beach a small cock fish which weighed roughly 5lbs. After a quick photo it was released to carry on his journey to the spawning grounds. I checked my fly and recast over the same lie as where I picked up the grilse minutes earlier. I must have only had 2 or 3 casts when I had another solid take. I lifted into a much strong fish this time and it felt a good bit heavier than the last one. It made several cracking runs off the reel and just when I thought I had it under control, it threw the hook. It felt like a good fish and I was disappointed to lose it, especially after keeping in good contact with it whilst it motored up and down the pool. Still, at least I knew my set up was doing the trick, so I dusted myself down and carried on through the pool but apart from a small brown trout, I didn't get another offer.

Holly Bush. Just expecting a pull on every cast at this height.

Sandy Bay. I got the fish (pictured below) in here and lost another. Excellent bit of water.

A cock fish around 5lbs taken on a pink Franc N Snaelda fished deep.

The next pool down was the Floating Bank. Terry also thought this would give a good chance of a fish but i fished through the pool without a touch and headed off back to the hut for some lunch.

Floating bank. Another lovely pool at this height of water.

After an extended lunch, I headed down to fish the famous Roe Pot pool and Terry went to fish the upper part. Terry said to start 50 yards or so above the wall as the top part of the pool was a bit heavy at this height. We'd seen a few fish show in here throughout the day so we knew they were there and confidence was high after a decent morning in the upper part of the beat.

The Roe Pot. I started in here after lunch. A good few fish about in here during the day.

A small Sea Trout which took a liking to the pink Franc N Snaelda too.

About 10 minutes after starting, as I was just below the wall, I had a very subtle take just off a boil about 20 yards or so out. I lifted into, what was a small fish which turned out to be a sea trout about 1lb. I quickly released it and cast over the same lie again. My fly was swinging round nicely when I had a cracking take. I lifted into a hefty fish which took off downstream like a steam train. It made some long, powerful runs and thrashed about on the surface a few times before it calmed down. I thought I had it beat and began to draw it into a gap in the bank but she had other ideas and was off on another long run down river. I followed her down this time and after a few more minutes, I manged to get in the water and tail the fish about 100 yards below where I hook it! I  removed the hook and quickly took a photo of the fish which I to be around the 14lb mark before slipping it back into the Dee. She swam off strongly and off to do the business on the redds in these next few weeks. The pink Franc N Snaelda was certainly doing the trick today.

The Roe Pot just above the wall which you can see on the left of the picture.

A hen fish about 14lb which also took the pink Franc N Snaelda.

Looking upstream in the Roe Pot. Very enjoyable pool to fish.

I fished on down through the rest of the Roe Pot without an offer but I did see a few fishing showing. It was around 4.30 by this time so I headed off back upstream to see how Terry had got on. Whilst standing chatting, head had a swirl at his Monkey fly as he pulled it across the pool which was encouraging so I went off up to the Holly Bush to give it another run through along with Sandy Bay. I had been fishing for 20 minutes or so when I saw Terry was into fish down in the Floating Bank. I wound in and grabbed my net out my car and headed off to help him out. After a few minutes I slid the net under a lively fish around 7lb which took a big, heavy Red Francis conehead. It was swiftly photographed and returned so I headed off back up to fish again.

Terry with his first fish which was around 7lb. Taken on a Red Francis tube.

I was not long back up to Sandy Bay when I noticed Terry was bent into another fish. I reeled in again and went down to assist. A short while later I netted his second fish in quick succession. This time a cleaner looking hen fish about 5lbs.

Terry's second fish of the afternoon. Also taken on the Red Francis.

That was to be the last action of the day but what a day! 4 Salmon, 2 sea trout and a lost fish with a few other offers and pulls in between. It's not often I am in the right place at the right time so I was very grateful to Terry for the last minute invite over to fish. A memorable final day on the Dee for 2014 which has been a season many won't be sorry to see the back of. I can't complain as I've done pretty well considering but roll on 2015. Fingers crossed it's a better one.

Park - River Dee

I had my annual August day on the Park beat of the River Dee on Saturday. Catches for the week had been the best of the entire season so I couldn't wait to get there but, my high water jinx struck again and I brought a spate with me for my day! When I arrived at the beat at 8.20am the gauge read 42" and there was a good bit of colour in the water too which hampered things a little.

Due to the high water, our best chance of a fish would be in the top half of the beat so I tackled up with my Scott Mackenzie intermediate shooting head and a 5.6ips tip. My fly choice was a 3/4" Silver Ally Shrimp. I was to fish the Castleton pool which fishes well in high water. Keith Cromar, the head ghillie suggested starting at the neck of the pool as there is a slower run tucked in off the bend. I fished on down the pool without an offer but went back up to give it another go as there were a few fish starting to show in the pool. Keith arrived just as I was going in at the neck of the pool for my second run through. I made short cast and as it was coming round onto the dangle I had an offer from a fish which came to nothing. I immediately re-cast and as my fly swung round to the same place as before, it was taken again and the fish made no mistake this time. I lifted into, what felt a decent enough fish but almost a quick as it was on, it was off again! I fished on down the pool and had another offer just opposite the Park South hut it didn't hook up. I headed off for lunch after that and planned my tactics for the afternoon.

As the water was dropping, I changed my line to a Scott Mackenzie Float/Intermediate shooting head and a 10ft fast tip. I also changed fly to a Black/Chartreuse Sunray Shadow. Keith gave us the choice on where to fish so I headed off downstream to try the Jetties and Bakebare. I didn't see or touch anything in these pools so made my way upstream to the hut taking in the tail of the Durris Stream on my way back. I was standing speaking with fellow rod, Bill at the Celler Pool when he spotted a fish head and tail opposite where we were standing. He urged me to go and give it a go so I made my way 10 yards or so above where it showed and cast out my Sunray. I had only made a few slow draws of my line when BANG...... a lively fish of around 7/8lbs hammered my fly! I lifted into the fish and watched as it splashed about on the surface before finally managing to unhook itself. I have no idea how it came off as the way it slammed into the fly you'd have thought it would have been well hooked. It wasn't to be and it was another fish lost. After that, I decided to give the Kirks a run through but apart from seeing a fish at the tail of Lower Kirks, I saw nothing else or encountered anything. I finished up my day around 7pm after a fruitless run through the Celler again. The water had dropped back to just over 34" through out the day but there was still a bit of colour to it. Still, at least it was good to finally see the Dee with a bit of water in it again!

Here are a few pictures from my day.

Castleton Pool with 42" on the gauge.

Paul Pritchard launches a good line out from the South bank.

The Park fishing hut.

Looking downstream from the bank of Jetties.

Bakebare. Cracking pool but nothing doing in here for me.

Fishing down the tail of the Durris Stream.

The Celler Pool where I lost my second fish of the day around 4.30pm.

Looking upstream from the Long Pool.

Lower Kirks. A great pool and one I always enjoy fishing.

P.S If anyone fishing the Dee comes across a Floating AFS shooting head with some Varivas running line and a sink tip attached please contact me via twitter @DeeDonSalmon or leave a comment on this page and I will pass the info onto the person who lost it. Thanks

3 Days On The Spey - Brae Water

Brae Water Beat 5

Charlie and I started our trip on the Spey at Brae Water Beat 5 with ghillie, Blair Banks. The water was sitting around 1ft 6in on the Boat o' Brig gauge. I tackle up with my Scott Mackenzie Float/Intermediate shooting head with a 6ft 3.9ips tip. My fly of choice was a small Monkey.

Charlie and I were drawn to fish the top part of the beat in the morning. I was to start in the Intake Pool and Charlie started in the Grilse Pool. The Intake pool was fishing really nicely and I was about half way down the pool, when I felt a fish grab at the fly and it was closely followed by another knock and then finally a thumping take! The fish immediately stripped yards of line off my reel and headed back towards Fochabers. After a cracking scrap lasting several minutes, I managed to beach a lovely sea trout about 2lb. After fishing through the remainder of the Intake without another touch, I headed down to fish the Grilse Pool.

Just not long after starting Blair and I noticed several fish heading and tailing up and down the length of the pool. This was a good run of fish making their way upstream but neither Charlie or I managed to connect with one.

The afternoon saw us fishing the Dipple Pool from the right bank. This looked a cracking pool, especially up at the neck. We fished it all afternoon without seeing a fish but I had a good pull at the tail about 4.30pm. Unfortunately, it didn't connect and it turned out to be the last action of the day for us. The Osprey fared a bit better when it caught a sea trout from the tail of the pool. Amazing to see it diving and coming up with a fish. There was however, 2 fish landed up in the Grilse Pool by anglers during the afternoon. A lovely 7lb salmon covered in long tail sea lice and another slightly older fish of the same weight.

Here are some pictures from our day on Beat 5.

Intake Pool looking downstream.

A Sea Trout from the Intake Pool taken on a small Monkey tube.

Grilse Pool. Nothing touched in here for me but 2 fish came off the pool in the afternoon.

Looking upstream in the Grilse Pool.

Charlie and I fishing the Dipple from the right bank in the afternoon.

The beat hut on the right and the ghillie's hut on the left.

Brae Water Beat 3

Friday saw us fishing beat 3 with ghillie Ian Tennant. The water was is good nick and sitting around 1ft  6in on the Boat o' Brig gauge. Ian suggested that a heavier set up would be better today so I went for my Scott Mackenzie Intermediate shooting head with a 10ft 5.6ips tip and a 2" Willie Gunn.

Charlie and I were to fish the Aultderg Pool in the morning. This is one of my favourite pools on any river that I have fished and we were keen to get going. We both fished down the pool twice each without a touch or seeing any fish move but every time the fly swung round, you were just waiting for the line to tighten.

After lunch we were to fish the Lower Ewe and Lord March Pools. Charlie headed of up to fish the Lower Ewe whilst I went in at the top of the Lord March. There was a massive hatch of March Browns coming off and the trout were rising everywhere you looked. I fished down the pool without a touch from a salmon so I put up the wee rod and had a go for the trout. I tied on a dry fly which was the closest resemblance to a March Brown that I had and I had about 8 offers and landed a couple of sea trout kelts. Since I realised that most of the fish were sea trout kelts, I put the rod away and went back after a salmon. Unfortunately, we both finished the day without a touch or without seeing a fish move. The pools were all in really good shape and were a pleasure to fish.

Here are a few pictures from Beat 3.

Aultderg. Fantastic fly water with scenery to match.

Looking upstream in Aultderg with the red cliffs in the background.

Looking downstream in Aultderg.

Lord March. Another lovely bit of water.

Lower Ewe looking upstream towards Beat 2.

Fishing down the Lower Ewe.

The fishing hut on Beat 3.

Brae Water Beat 4

Our final day on Speyside was to be spent fishing Beat 4 with ghillie, David Buley. The wind had really picked up and it made casting tricky at times. The water was dropping slowly and was sitting a 1ft 2in on the Boat o' Brig gauge.

It was back to the float/intermediate shooting head and a 6ft 3.9ips tip for today and I opted to give a Black & Yellow tube a good swim through the pools. Charlie and I were to start in the Cruive Pool. This was a cracking looking pool and David pointed out all the likely place we might encounter a fish. I started half way down the pool and Charlie started at the neck. We both fished down the pool twice, casting as well as we could between gusts of wind. Neither of us touched a fish and we headed back to the hut for lunch.

After lunch, David took Charlie and I over the river to fish the Pipe Pool. Here the Spey narrows considerably and is easily covered off the shingle bank. The wooded area opposite sheltered the pool and gave us a bit of respite from the wind. I changed fly to a heavier Franc N Snaelda just to get down a bit quicker in the fast stream. Just as I got to the tail of the pool whilst working the Snaelda back and forth, something pulled back. Not the salmon I was after but a greedy little brown about 3/4lb. That was the only action I had in the pool but like so many other pools on the Brae Water, you are just waiting for the line to tighten every cast.

Here are a few pictures from Beat 4.

Sign above the door of the ghillie's hut.

Fishing down the Cruive Pool.

A downstream view of the Cruive Pool from the bank.

Fishing the neck Cruive Pool.

The Pipe Pool. A lovely cast and a pleasure to fish. Cracking pool.

Looking upstream into the Pipe Pool.

Looking downstream from the bank at the tail of the Pipe Pool.

The fishing hut on Beat 4.

The quest for an elusive Spey Springer continues but we had a really enjoyable 3 days on the Brae Water. All the ghillies were first class. Friendly and very knowledgeable lads who went out their way to help and keep the enthusiasm going during some tough conditions. The other rods fishing with us for the 3 days were all good craic too which makes fishing a lot more enjoyable. We look forward to our next visit to the Brae Water beats in the near future.