With travel restrictions finally lifted, the river resumed “normal” service. Most beats were back to welcoming their usual angling parties while the Association waters were delighted to see an uptake in permit sales from visiting anglers. Speyside feels alive again!
I suppose the weather could have been kinder for those getting out for the first time this season, but April can be like that – and it’s always refreshing to feel a nice cool breeze while wading down your favourite pool 🙂
These colder air conditions didn’t adversely affect the water temperature. It remained fairly stable in the mid 40s. A small rise in river levels provided a good fishing height throughout the week and the salmon were on the move – they were not stopping for long in the lower beats.
River heights – 8in-1ft (+/- 2in)
Water Temps – 44-47F or 6-8C
Air temps – 1-12C
From what I hear the upper middle beats and above seemed to have performed best this past week.
Catch Summary
Upper River – Over 20 fish reported – Castle Grant, Grantown Ass and Abernethy Ass
Middle River – 14 fish reported – Knockando, Craigellachie, Wester Elchies, Delagyle
Lower River – 6 fish reported – Gordon Castle, Rothes, Arndilly
Average size – again around 10lb. Biggest fish reported 18lbs
From my “snapshot” of catches throughout the river it would be reasonable to say that April was a decent month with well over 100 spring salmon reported. Clearly that figure does not capture those beats that don’t report and the fact that some beats were not fishing at all during the COVID travel restrictions. So, all things considered, I’d say the early spring fishing shows encouraging signs and hopefully bodes well for the weeks and months ahead.
A few pics from up and down the river.
Next week
Don’t go packing the short sleeved shirts just yet!! It’s looking cool again with some rain, hail and snow mixed in – not bad conditions for the start of May!
Tightlines to all!
