Week Commencing 27th February 2017.

Last week’s forecast was not far off the mark, the heavy rain on Saturday pushed up the river in the afternoon but levels have already started to drop back. There is a little turbidity but hopefully that will start to clear by Monday morning. Next week’s forecast is more of the same. Temperatures will be around high single figures, there will be very little rain and the windiest days will be midweek. The tides peaked last week and will start to build again midweek.

I have heard this week that some estates are not happy with me knowing what they are catching. If it really concerns them that much they can either get in touch with me to explain their concerns and perhaps stop their anglers posting on social media, good luck with that! On the other hand some new beats are beginning to send me information and more pictures. The Spey is the second best river in the country only being out-fished by the Tweed. The Tweed caught less than fifty more fish than the Spey although it fishes over 9 weeks more. Let us stop hiding these facts from salmon anglers and get the good news out!

 

Catches: Gordon Castle had another two fish, again on Saturday. I would suggest that when the numbers of anglers rises fish are caught down there. I am grateful to Ian Tennant for the picture.

Ger Maclean Beat 4

Upstream Orton had a good week with at least six salmon being caught, the best estimated at 22lbs. A seatrout estimated at 7lbs was also landed and another around the same weight was lost.

Richard Hold, Orton Gillie.

Jimmy Jack Orton

7lb Seatrout Orton

James Gair’s fish Orton.

Jan Ridgen, Orton.

Delfur continued to catch fish, finishing the week with five. On Monday, Swede Martin Risberg had a fish on his first visit to the Spey.Regulars Graham Ritchie and Alex Robertson continued their good start to the season landing one a piece on Thursday. On Saturday there were two father and son teams out, the older generation out fished the younger easily. Whether this was down to angling skill or positioning themselves in the best spot appeared to be in some dispute. Alistair Morrison and Ian Borthwick were the successful dads.

Martin Risberg, Delfur.

Graham Ritchie, Delfur.

Alex Robertson Delfur

Alistair Morrison with his gillie Grant

Rothes continued to catch fish. Mike Ewan sent me this picture of a slightly damp Robert Cardno on Saturday afternoon.

Robert Cardno, Rothes.

Arndilly also had a couple I hear.

Wester Elchies got their season underway with a fish from the Little Turn.

I hear Laggan had a fish last Saturday, but have no more details.

Ian Borthwick had his second from the Carron Beat on Monday, this time from the Sands. He was also one of the successful older generation, getting one from Collie at Delfur. He tells me you can’t keep a good man down, though Neil says it ought to be “put a good man down”

Ian Borthwick’s 2nd Fish Carron.

I hear Lower Pitcroy, Knockando had their first of the season.

 

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Spey Fishery Board

Briefing for February 2017 Published

The February Briefing for the Spey Fishery Board and the Spey Foundation is now available to download and read here. This month’s issue covers the following topics:

  • Salmon Fishing Season Opening Day
  • 2016 Season report
  • 2017 Spey Conservation Policy
  • Scottish Government U-Turn on Wild Fisheries Reform
  • 2016 River Spey Catchment Management Plan
  • Dates for the Diary

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Spey Fishery Board

Week Commencing 23rd February 2015

Well that’s March already, the 1st day of Spring according to the meteorological, or climatological calendar, I never realized just how many 1st days of Spring there actually are! Over the last week the number of feathered visitors or returnees has increased dramatically. I have seen quite large flocks of lapwings flying up river and the parcel of Oystercatchers on the Long Pool at Arndilly is building nicely, how true the stories of the salmon following the Oystercatchers are we will never know, but it always brings me hope. The forecast for the coming week is to start in mid single figure temperatures with some heavy sleety showers on Tuesday but the temperatures are predicted to reach the mid teens by the weekend, with the possibility of more snow melt. The tides are building again all week.

 

Catches, Dave Duncan was kind enough to send me a photograph of Ian Tennant’s fish from Brae 3 last week, a great looking fish.

Ian Tennant’s fish from the Lord March Pool

 

Delfur was quiet for most of the week till Saturday when three were taken. Donald Morrison managed two to his own rod. Donald accepted a late invitation on Thursday when Ness Castle gillie Gordon Armstrong decided he would rather go shopping with his wife Clare! (All right it was her birthday but BIG MISTAKE; it must be great to have such a loving husband, Clare). I managed to get my February fish but I felt I was cutting it a little fine.

Donald Morrison Hollenbush

Donald Morrison Hollenbush

Donald Morrison's 2nd fish Broom

Donald Morrison’s 2nd fish Broom

 

Delfur Head Gillie Mark Melville

Delfur Head Gillie Mark Melville

 

Rothes also had a slower than usual week till Michael Glass caught another fish from Creechy on Friday. Arndilly continued to pick away with another couple of fish. Upstream I gather the Aberlour Angling Club had their first for the season on Saturday. Wester Elchies, although very lightly fished, also got off the mark with a sea liced fish from the Delagyle Pool in front of the hut. The warm high-ish water suits the middle river beats to a T, please contact the estate offices for availability.

I have heard of no fish from further upstream.

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Briefing – February 2015

The Spey Fishery Board and Spey Foundation Briefing for February is now available to read here.

This month’s edition includes the following topics:

  • Opening Day 2015
  • 2014 Season Report
  • The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations for 2015
  • Mackalea Burn Fish Pass Project
  • Allt’ a Mharcaidh Project
  • Tomintoul & Glenlivet Heritage Lottery Funding
  • Dates for the Diary

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