Week Commencing 29th May 2023

Good evening all

I have been away trying to catch some rainbow trout today so report has been a bit delayed.

It is a gorgeous evening in Elgin , the sun is out, temperatures are not too hot so just right for taking the dog for a stroll once I get my typing finished.

Its been a warm week, at times, the sun has been ever present for most of it but we did see a covering of cloud mid week which did help. The cold wind did not help matters making it quite cool when you were in the shade. This prolonged spell of weather, whether it is down to climate change or not is not doing the garden, nor indeed most of the Scottish rivers any good with water levels close to or at critical levels, we need rain and soon.

The long range forecast is possibly showing a shift in the high pressure in a week or so, resulting in some showery weather arriving in the UK but whether it reaches all parts we will have to wait and see. I really hope it reaches the Loch Maree area quickly as I head west in a couple of weeks to fish the Ewe for a week, as it is now bordering on its lowest level ever.

Right lets get focussed ad have a look at what has been happening.

At the bottom of the river, Andy Milne of Fochabers Angling Association reports that they did not encounter any fish in week of fishing just gone.

Gordon Castle/Brae Water did have some success for the week according to David Buley but it was a week of weather being similar to what you’d expect on holiday in Spain, resulting in the fishing being tough this week. Wednesday saw cloud cover in the morning and Thursday was same with cloud hanging around till 4pm. This was our best chance to hook one and we managed to land two fish. Fish were seen most days going through but not in big numbers. Next weeks forecast looks a lot better so here’s hoping we can get a few more for the books.

Andy Gunn at Orton reports that they managed to winkle out a few fish. The clear Blue skies combined with a cool Northerly breeze and low water made for a tricky week but we managed to land 4 fish, 2 @ 9lb for Iain Roxborough from Upper Cairnty and Cooperee, a long tailed sea liced fish from the Glide for Alan Littlejohn and a 12lber from Cooperee by Judith Midwood.

Next Upstream is Delfur where Mark Melville advises that they had long standing tenant Olivier Devictor celebrating his 80th birthday at Delfur with his family this week.It was tough conditions with the beautiful sunny weather so we just fished mornings and evenings.
Olivier was top rod with 2 fish both caught in the evening. Oliviers son in law Matthias Lang caught his first ever fish from Beaufort.

The rods at Rothes and Aikenway stopped fishing at lunchtime on Saturday due to the conditions but Robbie Stronach reports that three fish were landed this week. James Bladon laned two, 13 and a half from Creeky and 6 lb from Bluestone . Luke Worrall got a 7lb fish from Long Pool.

Euan Reid at Arndilly advises another tough week with low water and bright sun. For the time of year, it is very low, and with another dry week forecast, it is likely to continue dropping. Scotland being Scotland, though when it does decide to rain, it might forget to stop!
Even in difficult conditions, we had chances of fish every day, but only 1 stuck, Mrs Sarah Clarke, with a lovely 11lb fish with long tailed lice, from the neck of Cobble Pot. The water level is -6, but the water temperature is 56°f to 60°f in the morning.

Up stream at Easter Elchies, Orn Sigurhansson reports they were very pleased to welcome the Cutmore and McCreath fishing parties this week. Conditions were tough at the start of the week with wall to wall sunshine Monday and Tuesday and -8 water height on the gauge. Finally clouded over on Wednesday with 4 salmon landed. Colin Jones, Nigel Cutmore and Les Tyson all on the score sheet. The cloud continued on Thursday with another 2 fish landed, Colin Jones again and Victoria Cutmore with a crackling 12lb fish. Despite the tough conditions on Saturday, Colin Jones secured his hat trick with a 10lb silver salmon from Fiddich Mouth. John Maginnis rounded off the week with a sea licer from Heathery Isle. Final total 8 salmon, a good week.

Aberlour Angling Cub had one fish from below the bridge to a visiting angler but no more details are known.

Malcolm Newbould at Wester Elchies reports that they had two fish for their week. Paddy Deans getting one and according to Malcolm the other, landed by Henry Mountain was caught using dubious Icelandic methods- A full floating line, a fluorocarbon leader and a Zelda. For those who do not know a Zelda. I have added a picture of a Zelda that I tied recently for anther angler. Make of it what you wish!!

Kinermony managed to get two into the book this week, according to ghillie David Brand.

Up at Delagyle David Smillie advises that they had no luck for the week but his sun tan is coming along nicely.

Max Mckinstrie at Laggan reports 2 for the week . The ladies showing the way with a fish of 8lbs for Mrs Vanessa Bathgate in Millionaires on Tuesday and a fish of 9lbs for Miss Rachel Duncan in Delchapel on Friday.

As we journey upstream to Castle Grant where Simon Crozier reports another difficult week. Monday gave us hope with a fish for Trevor Eastwood from the Wash Pot and a 7lber from Pollowick for Nigel Dawe Lane. Another fish was taken on Tuesday from Polchraine and a 14lb sealiced from the Garra, Alas after that promising start a few seatrout aside that was as good as it got, clear skies and east winds did not help matters . As always we are hopeful for better fishing ahead.

Finally Abernethy had 9 seatrout to 6lbs for their week.

The week ahead looks like there will be a bit more cloud around and temperatures in the mid teens, so we will need to wait and see what this produces.

Tight lines to those out and about.

Sandy