Good afternoon all
Well autumn has arrived today, bright and cold with overnight temperatures hitting low single figures for the past few nights.
The end is nigh as they say with just one full week of fishing left, next Sunday’s report will be the last of the season. I am sure all those linked to the river will breathe a sigh of relief before the winter duties kick in.
The farmers have been hard at it this week, harvesting when they can and often into the evening, although the damp air has been putting a premature end to the days work. The nights have fairly drawn in with darkness upon us by 8ish most nights – soon be time for the torch when walking the dog.
The Spey Fishery Board Auction is still ongoing until 12 noon on 30/9/24, so if you wish to make a bid on an auction item time is running out.
This week brought warm bright conditions which did not do the fishing any good whatsoever, with very little catches over the system.
I have included a few comments from some of the ghillies but it is fairly evident that unless we get the temperature and condition change which is forecast, the end could be a damp squib.
At Gordon Castle/Brae Water, David Buley confirms that fishing was poor due to bright sun and lower water which didn’t help this week. Fish were very much switched off with reasonable numbers showing but very few willing to take. Next week’s weather looks slightly better with cooler days and less sun. Hopefully that switches them on.
Up at Delfur the picture was much and such the same with Mark Melville advising of a major switch off this week at Costa Del-fur!
Most of the week gave us bright sunshine and warm temperatures with a couple of misty mornings at the end for good measure.
The forecast looks much better for the final full week of the season with cold temperatures which should switch the fish back on again.
Euan Reid at Arndilly reports a tough week on Arndilly. To put this into perspective, we had a lovely week on Arndilly with beautiful weather and great company, but unfortunately, the fish weren’t playing the same game we were playing. This week, we had Jill Edwards and her team, and although we only caught 1 fish, we did have a lot of fun.
Charlie Harman had our only fish of the week on Friday, 6lb from the very tail of bulwark just before lunchtime in the brightest of sunshine at -3″. Charlie caught it on a home tied tiny tube fly, which would be half an inch in total length.
To put this week into context and demonstrate how unfortunate this party was, prior to this week , we had only 1 blank day in sixteen weeks.
Everybody fished well, special mention to Jack Puttock who persevered and covered the water as we wanted, but the salmon didn’t want it. I suspect with the colder conditions forecast this week, we will finish with a decent total, which would provide further proof of how Jill and her team were unlucky this year. Next year!
Next upstream is Easter Elchies where Orn Sigurhansson reports Indian Summer conditions at Easter Elchies. We were very pleased to welcome again the Tisdale fishing party this week. Arguably the toughest fishing conditions we have had all year with bright sunshine and high air temperatures throughout the week. Ideal for harvest, not so good for fishing. Nevertheless an enjoyable week in the sun.
I do not think that anyone will disagree with the above comments as to how tough the fishing was last week.
Finally up at Castle Grant Simon Crozier reports a touch of the Costa del Spey at Castle Grant with the “glorious weather “ making life a bit difficult. The Taylor party got off to a great Start on Monday, Tony and Sylus Taylor had simultaneous fish from the Manse and then Sylus had another from Polchraine, a good start despite the blazing sun! Things slowed down a bit as the heat continued but we picked away ,with a few taking in the early morning mist before the sun came out, the pools have plenty of fish in them we just need some more favourable conditions to winkle them out, here’s hoping for a few more before we come to a close.
Well not much to be said other than we await the last full week with anticipation to see if the change in weather will bring a few additional fish to the bank to bring the season to a banging close.
Tight lines to those out and about
Sandy
