Good afternoon everyone
Well this is it, the final report for the 2024 season.
I think it is fair to say that it has been less challenging in some aspects than last season with the water being somewhat more consistent, the weather also played its part and the number of fish was certainly up from last year, albeit the number of seatrout reported does not seem to be as prevalent as in the past.
I am sure the ghillies will be delighted to get to the end of another season having spent a lot of enjoyable moments on and off the river bank with guests, owners during 2024 but now the next phase of the year begins (not until Tuesday) when boats are taken ashore for the routine dryout and maintenance, the huts are cleaned and secured ready for 2025.
The last week of the season brought us colder weather, with a definite autumn feel to it. The mornings were rather cool, single figures on some occasions which may or may not have helped the fishing as the wind down commenced.
The Spey Board Auction closes tomorrow so there are still chances to secure some cracking lots so please feel free to support this.
This weeks reports sees the end of an era at Wester Elchies as ghillie, Sam Bremner retires from his duties. Sam started his career on the river in 1977 when he became a ghillie at Arndilly before taking up the Wester Elchies role in 1995. Sam initially worked for the Moore family until they sold the fishing to the current syndicate members in 1995. I am sure Sam will have many tales from his time on the river as I am sure he will have enjoyed spending time with all the guests who have fished the beat over the years. One highlight must be the assistance to rod Jaques Montupet to land a 33lb fish in 1999. The fish went on to win the Malloch Trophy that season. I am sure I am not alone in wishing Sam the very best for his retirement and I am sure he will be spotted on the river bank in the years to come.
Sam was presented with a beautiful painting of Wester Elchies during this his last full week as ghillie on the beat.
Ok not much to report from the river for last week but a few fish were landed so here is a wee bit from the beats.
Up the river Simon Crozier, to whom I am eternally grateful for his provision of figures for both Abernethy and Grantown throughout the season advises that Abernethy finished with 14 salmon to 14lbs and Grantown have a fine final week with with 32 salmon to 22lbs.
On his own beats at Castle Grant, Simon reports as follows, well another season comes to an end at Castle Grant. We ended with a steady week with fish coming to the net everyday apart from Tuesday, it is good to see a good number of fish in the pools and a lot of big hens featured in the catches, highlight of the week was a 21 lb fish from Number 1 burn for “Irish” Tommy fishing with the Buckie Angling group who have fished at Castle Grant for over 30yrs. Thank you to all of our anglers both new and old and look forward to seeing you all next year.
Down at Knockando Home Beat, Archie Baillie reports that in their final full week with 3 salmon and a sea trout.
Laggan also had some fish this week confirms Max McKinstrie as they finished with 3 Salmon this week to 16lbs.
It was a quiet week at Delagyle with just a single grilse being added to the tally advises David Smillie and down at Kinermony, Dvaid Brand confirms that Mark Morrison got a big old croc and also landed their first seatrout of the year!!
As we head down the river my next port of call is Easter Elchies and here is the final report this year from Easter Elchies. We were very pleased to welcome back the Thomson fishing party this week. All seasons of weather this week, with welcome rises in water. All pools with plenty of resident fish. A really enjoyable final week of the season.
Euan Reid will, I am sure be happy to get some time away from writing his witty and enjoyable weekly reports for the weeks at Arndilly but before he puts the pen down here is his final weekly report. Well, that is our last full week completed, and I must say it will be nice to have my first Saturday off in 8 months next week. The fish have had enough of us and our attempts also.
Niall Holden had a 5lb grilse on Wednesday from Long Pool.
On Friday, Mark Jones had a fish from Long Pool also.
Colder water appeared to be the trigger on Saturday with 5 landed, Mark Jones again from Piles and Soo, right and left bank respectively, John Mauchline from the Cobble Pot, and there were 2 from the tail of Long Pool.
It’s been a pretty good season, but not wishing to be downbeat, let’s not get excited and think the corner has been turned. Challenges are ahead, I’m seeing very few parr in the river. The week before last when the water was low, I had a guest fish a size 16 with me in the boat and we covered from jocks tail to the Soo (probably 3/4 mile) and we never had a parr.
At Rothes and Aikenway, Robbie Stronach reports a final 5 fish for the season. The lucky Captors being Brian Stevens, 13lb Geantree, Johnnie Ruck Keene, 13lb Burnmouth, Simon Bladon, Creeky also 13lb, Aaron Ewen, 14lb from Burnmouth and Bruce Wilson with a 5lber from Junction.
Meanwhile at Delfur, Mark Melville reports a tricky but fun last week were the fish played hard to get.
A couple of decent rises mid week which both carried colour and dirt didn’t help.
We managed to catch fish each day but they never really switched on even with the cooler water conditions falling into the upper 40s.
The final day tomorrow on a much improved season for us and most of the river.
We will have a fun ghillies day with friends and hopefully a fish or two caught for good measure.
Calling in at Orton, Andy Gunn advises of a great week on Orton, a decent number of fish caught considering the unsettled water, good company with plenty of laughs.
Jonathan and Claire Wildgoose, Heath and Sue Greenhall, Martin & Kerry Speed, Will & Claire Harrison and Jim & Joe Tear were the team for the final week of the season.
Into double figures of fish caught, mostly Grilse.
It’s been a great season this year for us with a
50% increase on last years total, let’s hope that trend continues next season.
Many thanks to all of our guests old and new for what has been a terrific year here at Orton.
Thanks again to Sandy for writing such detailed and informative reports throughout the season.
Down at Gordon Castle/Brae Water Lewis Webb advises of a challenging conditions this week with a relentless wind and unsettled water but we managed to land a few fish with some bars of September silver in the mix.
Finally Andy Milne at Fochabers Angling Association confirms that they finished with a couple of grilse in a challenging final full week.
Well that is a wrap on my weekly reports, looking forward to having a few months off and Sunday afternoons as my own time.
As always I could not do this without the input of the ghillies, proprietors and guests up and down the river through the season, so my grateful thanks goes to you all.
I wish you all the very best for what remains for the remainder of the fishing season if you venture out again and look forward to hopefully giving you a weekly update in 2025.
Tight lines to all
Sandy
