Hi everyone
The count down is really on to the end of the season with just 6 full weeks to go until we close the door on the angling concerns on the river but it does not bring the background works on the river, the catchment and the hatchery efforts to a close, some of these are just getting geared up to start.
There are definitely been change in the weather conditions in the past week, things are definitely starting to feel a wee bit autumnal. The sun is out in Elgin but the wind has a raw edge to it, as it has done for a quite a bit of the week gone by.
The fields of barley around the area are starting to take on a lovely golden colour as they head towards being fully ripened and ready for harvesting. The pheasant poults are now out an about on the local estate where I work and are not road savvy yet, causing mayhem and traffic jams as they work out what to do when a car approaches!!
I am sure you will have seen the notification on social media that the Spey Fishery Board will be holding their annual auction next month, slightly earlier than previous months. If you can support the Board by donating a prize, countryside related then please contact them. I am in the middle of tying up a batch of salmon flies which will be making their way to the Board for inclusion in the not too distant future. Watch this space for further updates.
Ok lets see what has happened on the river this week.
Up the river Abernethy Angling Association finished their week with two salmon, 4 grilse and 2 seatrout as reported by Simon Crozier.
Slightly downstream at Castle Grant, Simon Crozier reports of an autumnal feel to the weather at Castle Grant this week with very changeable conditions however some sport was had by our fishers .The week started with a couple of fish from Polchraine , a grilse and an older fish in the evening for Dave Bowden. A fine sealiced 8lb fish from the Washpot on Wednesday was a pleasant surprise given the stage of the season, Peter Pollard had a clean but unliced fish the same day from Pollowick. Gary Haskins had a 7lb fish from Congash too. Highlight of the week was a first fish for young 8 yr old Pierce Pollard from Pollowick! He had played a fish hooked by his Dad Peter firstly then 5 minutes later hooked his own a 10lb hen , fantastic! Peter also had a 5 lb grilse from Pollowick. On Friday Pierces older Sister Holly 13 got in on the act with a grilse of her own from Pollowick , great to see youngsters enjoying the sport. We rounded off the week with a 6lb fish for Geoff Pollard from Pollowick, a 6lb fish from Garra and a brace of 7lbers from Greenbank. We look forward to more sport next week.
Journeying down the river my next stop is Knockando Home beat and Archie Baillie. Archie advises of a quieter week this week. The highlight being Sophie Wills catching her first ever salmon, a very hard fighting 13lber.
At Carron, Ian Borthwick reports a week of two halves at Carron. The first half of the week the party got 3. Then the second half another party got 2.
Across the river at Laggan, ghillie Max Mckinstrie advises that they added a further 4 fish to this years tally.
Continuing our journey we stop into Delagyle where David Smillie confirms that they had a single fish for the week, the lucky angler being David Astor with a fish of 24lbs out of Delene.
Next on the journey is Kinermony where ghillie David Brand confirms a couple of fish were landed during the week, with one of them being a fine clean fish to Jimmy Smith.
Aberlour Angling club are not aware of anything being landed last week reports Kenny Davies as they were lightly fished.
Across at Wester Elchies, Malcolm Newbould reports that they managed 4 fish for the week gone by.
Scooting on down the river at Easter Elchies, Orn Sigurhansson reports a week of grilse, salmon and great family time at Easter Elchies. Very much a week for both the current and future generations. First fish for both Fiona and Eleanor, with James Jnr landing 3 for his week. Total of 31 salmon and grilse. A really good week.
As we mosey on towards the mouth of the river my next port of call is with Euan Reid at Arndilly. Euan advises they welcomed Bob Edwards and his band of merry men to Arndilly.
This week was more difficult than recent weeks, but through grit and determination and the ever-present requirement of luck, we scrapped our way to 16.
Bob Edwards, Euan Webster, and Johnny Webster did well. Gary Webster had a couple, Colin MacLaren, Robin Philip, and Pat Machray each managed a fish in tough, bright conditions.
The evening fishing has become more productive over the last few weeks and Johnny Webster did particularly well on his wee bananabantam.Company this week was as always excellent, and fun was foremost.
At Rothes and Aikenway, Robbie Stronach reports that they ended up with 9 for the week . Monday we landed one in Bluestone with Brian Cook being the lucky fisher. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday saw nothing landed but seeing fish. On Friday Richard Breakell got 2 out of Jameson, David Morgan landed one in Creeky and Mark lambert got one in Geantree. The week finished on Saturday with Jeff sample getting one in Geantree, Hayward Frost tempting one in Creeky and Mark Lambert landing a further two from Creeky.
we are well through our journey this week as I arrive at Delfur where Mark Melville reports a big switch off here this week where it was really tough to even get a pull the first 5 days of the week. Even so,we managed to catch a fish or so a day including 3 first ever fish for Sally Chitty, Sue Howes and Will Bedford-Russell who managed a couple on Saturday. Well done to you all.
Saturday for whatever reason the fish switched back on and we caught almost double figures!
Nothing fresh all week until Saturday where a couple of fresh grilse were seen so we will see what this week brings us but hopefully lots more takers after yesterday.
Popping in by Orton where Andy Gunn advises that they made it into the 20’s again this week. Out of the blocks on Monday morning with fish for John Stamp, Ben Sangster, Anthony Bird, Gordon Bell & Jon Amos.
A little quieter with bright sun, strong winds and a rising river twice during the week slowed things down a touch but Anthony, Ben & Gordon managed to tempt a few more.
Good conditions on Saturday provided a strong finish with double figures being achieved, John Stamp landed a fine 10lb sea liced fish early on and a Grilse later in the day. Sophie De Roper 10lb & 6lb, Jim Lapinskie 18lb & 12lb
Will Bird, Charlie De Roper & Lucy Sangster all getting in on the action and a few more in the evening.
A great fun week as usual and looking forward to next year already.
At Gordon Castle and Brae Water, David Buley reports nnother reasonable week on our beats with around 50 landed for the week. Fish were tough to catch at times although there’s plenty about. Tuesday and Friday saw a slow steady rise all day, this really put the fish off. Fresh fish still being seen daily.
This week was one where a few “first fish” were caught, always a special and memorable moment for guests and ghillie!
Our final stop of the week is with Andy Milne at Fochabers Angling Association who reports 4 salmon and 22 grilse reported this week. Unfortunately a grey seal was spotted several times, most recently yesterday eating a fish in the Cumberland pool then heading upstream towards the quarry.
A definite switch off with the fish this week, weather related or down to the prevailing water conditions? Also did the presence of the grey seal in the lower river ( only place reportedly seen) have an effect on the fish? I am no scientist so I cannot answer my own questions..
The week ahead looks as it there is a bit of rain in the mix, not sure how much but it may freshen things up again and keep the fish on the take as we enter the twilight of the season.
Tightlines if you are able to wet a line this week be it on the river, on a loch or a local fishery.
Sandy
