Speyghillie

2011-02-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

This past week has seen a variety of fishing conditions. The week began with relatively low water and frosty mornings but the temperature gradually rose until by Wednesday we were fishing is shirt sleeves; the lunch time air temperature reaching 16 degC at Aberlour. By Thursday, the water had risen by 2’ and it continued to rise before stabilising and fining off on Saturday.
Catches were obviously affected however there were still around 10 fish recorded. Rothes & Aikenway was top beat of the week, with Gordon Angling group members Bill Goodlad and Bob Hughes amongst the luck rods. Keen Spey angler Michael Ritchie from Fraserburgh caught a cracking fish of 13lb fresh from the sea, still displaying evidence to that fact.

Rothes ghillie Robbie Stronach about to release Michael Ritchie's fish.

Local loon, Mark Morrison caught a nice fish from Delagyle, their second, and retired solicitor and well know Spey angler Bill Johnston landed the first fish at Kinermony in 2011. I was delighted to play a small role in its capture and more so in seeing the expression on Bill’s face as it slid into the waiting net.

My good friend Duncan Egan was over on Deeside last Friday Saturday and although the River Dee was still very much on the high side, he weedled out a cracking 13lb fish from the Lower Ferroch at Cairnton on Saturday.

Video footage of Duncan's fish.

Prospects.

The 7 days forecast is quite settled. With the fluctuation of water levels last week, we are very much hopeful of more stable condition this coming week. I’d be very surprised if there weren’t a few fish reported over the next few days and hopefully some fish caught further up-river. As we enter March, numbers of fish will gradually increase and I’d recommend that you get out and wet a line, after all, these early fish are at their very best. Again, concentrate your efforts on the warmest part of the day and whilst the water temp remains low, stick with flies of around 1.5-2” fished slow and on intermediate lines.

Casting For Recovery Charity Auction

2011-02-27T06:29:00.000-08:00

Casting For Recovery

We are running an on-line auction through the very friendly and informative

Salmon Fishing Forum in aid of the Casting for Recovery initiative, linked above.

There are various Salmon fishing related lots on display and the auction will end at 8pm on the 30th April. All proceeds will then be donated to this very worthy cause.

Please take a little time in visiting their site and perhaps joining us through this link at the Salmon Fishing Forum where, after a very straightforward enrolment process, you will be able to donate or bid in the auction.

Many thanks in anticipation, your support is greatly appreciated.

Mid Feb Spey Report

2011-02-27T06:27:00.000-08:00

The opening week on the Spey has been blessed on the whole with good fishing conditions, both in terms of water height and ambient temperature. After the flurry of activity from the kelts over the first couple of days, action has very much settled down. There have been 15 fish recorded so far with Upper Arndilly catching 5 of them. Forres tackle dealer Kenny Walker was one of those lucky enough to land a springer this past week and his weighed 8lb and was caught on a Willie Gunn tube. Delfur didn’t take too long to get off the mark and did so in fine form. Mrs Anne Cameron landed 2 fish weighing 10 and 15.5lbs respectively and lost a third. Both were caught on an intermediate line and a Black and Yellow tube fly, tied by ghillie Grant Morrison of Malloch Trophy fame! Annie caught the fish under the watchful and very capable eyes of Delfur head-ghillie Mark Melville whilst fishing the Hollybush Pool. This pool can be a pretty cold place in the spring, yet I don’t imagine for a minute either Mark or Annie felt anything other than jubilation as the first fish slid over the net. Mrs Cameron’s husband Neil won our Glenfarclas Fish of the month last April with a 25lb salmon, so perhaps with only a few fish caught this month, Annie might join him.

Aberlour taxi owner and former ghillie Willie Roy added to Delfur’s total on Thursday with another fish again coming again from the Hollybush. Knowing Willie, even without the morning sun, I don’t think he would have felt the cold too much either!
Spey fishery board correspondent Malcolm Newbould was also amongst those fortunate enough to record their first fish of the season this week. Malcolm caught his fish of 10lbs in the Junction pool at Rothes on Saturday.
Master Fly tier Duncan Egan fished at Kinermony on Saturday and as you can see by the photo below, he arrived from the south bearing gifts. Just click on Duncan’s name for details of how to order his flies, including the Kinermony Killer Flamethrowers pictured. We fished the water very hard but nothing fresh to report. I now know the reason for his nom de plume ‘Lastcast’. Duncan fishes until he can no longer see his rod tip, no matter what time of year. I am mighty thankful that his rod was 13’7” and not 7’13” !

The annual Ghillie supper took place at the Archiestown Hotel last Friday. We were given the customary warm welcome from Alan and Jayne Hunter before sitting down to enjoy a wonderful 3-course meal. The meal was delightful as were the fine wines and Speyside malts on offer. A thoroughly first-class time was had by all present and when the dulcet tones of ‘She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes’ were heard, we all knew that it was well past bed-time. On behalf of all ghillies and wives present, I’d just like to thank Alan and Jayne once again for their kind hospitality.
Finally, Orton, Delfur & Arndilly have now all recorded their first fish of 2011 to women anglers. Whether this is simply down to ‘lady luck’, skill, perseverance, female pheromones or simply a mixture of all is a matter of opinion, but if they could bottle it, I’d certainly be one of the very first in the queue.

2011 Season gets underway.

2011-02-27T06:23:00.000-08:00

River Spey Opening Day

The River Spey was opened in grand form last Friday 11th Feb by Mrs Ishbel Grant, director of Glenfarclas distillery, by pouring a bottle of Glenfarclas finest malt whisky into the river from the Aberlour suspension bridge. This was preceded by an introduction to all rods by local businessman and keen Spey fisher Brian Doran. Mr Doran welcomed all guests and gave a brief synopsis of the 2010 season before wishing all present a successful season ahead. The gathering and river were then blessed by Aberlour & Craigellachie minister Rev Shauna Dicks. To help celebrate the start of the season, Kate Wright, Sales & Marketing Executive for Glenfarclas, offered a dram of Glenfarclas Single Malt Whisky to all present. Walkers Shortbread also provided samples of their renowned biscuits during the opening ceremony, all of which were greatly apprecieted.

First fresh fish of the season was caught by Mrs Evie Glass on the Orton beat at 10:25am. The fish was estimated at 13lbs and verified by ghillie Andrew Hall. Andrew also netted the first fish on 2010 and has quite a taste for the delightful Glenfarclas! Evie was presented with the Spey Quaich, a Walkers of Aberlour Luxury hamper and a bottle of Glenfarclas 175th Anniversary Highland Single Malt. Andrew was also presented with a Walkers luxury hamper and a bottle of Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt.

The next fish registered was caught by Spey regular David Smiley fishing with his old pal and Delagyle ghillie Willie Mearns. Dave caught the 11lb fish on his 3rd cast and Willie was on hand to assist in its release. Willie commented that it was the 5th opening day fish that he had recorded in his 23 years as Delagyle ghillie. The last coincidentally was also caught by Dave Smiley 5 years ago. Dave was presented with a bottle of Glenfarclas 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt and a Walkers luxury hamper and Willie Mearns was presented with a bottle of Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt and again a Walkers luxury hamper.

There was a third fish registered and it was caught by Port Gordon angler Mike Clark from Upper Arndilly. Mike was presented with a fantastic arrangement of Salmon flies tied by River Dee ghillie Sean Stanton. It was very thoughtful of Sean to send over a box of his first-class flies, especially considering he is currently suffering from Limes disease. We can only thank Sean for his generosity and wish him a very speedy recovery. Sean’s flies are available from http://www.theghilliesflybox.co.uk/

On behalf of all River Spey anglers, I would like to congratulate all the prize winners and thank all at Glenfarclas and Walkers of Aberlour most sincerely for their continued sponsorship and commitment to the opening day and beyond.
The conditions on opening day were very good and reports were that most rods tightened their lines at some stage with the kelts from last seasons. We were again blessed with good fishing conditions today although I have not heard of any further fresh fish being caught. Let’s hope for a good spring on the Spey in 2011 and increased communication within all river agencies. I leave you with a few words taken from the River Spey Fishery Board annual report 2011, Chairman’s Foreword -

The ‘art’ of running a salmon river is very definitely in communication.

Early season Trout

2010-03-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Pictured is a trout caught earlier this week at Kinermony, estimated around the 4.5lb mark. Hopefully we'll entice it around the Olive hatch again in April. Although a little on the lean side, it has still retained beautiful colours.

Large G&T

2010-02-27T05:15:00.000-08:00

Willie Mearns and I broke off a large chunk of ice today at Delagyle as seen in the photo. More than enough for a large G&T!

Cold day on Speyside

2010-02-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

Monday 22nd February and a very cold start to the week. The grue made fishing impossible today and there doesn't appear to be any change in the forecast over the next few days.

Spey Opening Day 2010

2010-02-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

Opening day on the Spey was blessed with excellent conditions and lucky angler Mr Alastair Dodds caught the first fresh Salmon of the season at Orton. He wins the Spey Quaich along with a Walkers luxury hamper, a Bottle of Glanfarclas 30 year old and a 15' Salmon rod donated by Sharps of Aberdeen. Most anglers tightened their lines with the less glamourous 2009 models and enjoyed dusting off the cobwebs.

Fun on the Spey

2009-08-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

Pictured is Mike Martin playing his second fish of the day. Both were very fresh for this time of the year and put up an excellent account for themselves.

Fun with the Residents

2009-08-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here is Alex Ritchie enjoying some sport with the resident fish. We had 2 each on 'less traditional' methods and boy did we have fun.

Double Spey

2009-07-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

Pitured is Alec Ritchie ably demonstrating a double spey cast with AFS shooting head. I call it cheating!

Little Turn Action

2009-07-12T04:01:00.001-07:00

Pictured is Mark Freeman playing an 8lb Salmon in the Little Turn at Kinermony. Superb backstop.

Tim Pullen in Action

2009-06-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

A lively fish of around 10lbs.

Very graceful double spey

2009-06-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here is Fiona Taylor demonstrating that timing is far more essential than brute force.

Another released to spawn

2009-05-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a fish caught and released by Ian Pawley last week at Kinermony.

Fine Spring Day on Speyside

2009-05-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photo's of some of the 8 Salmon caught at Kinermony yesterday. Following on, we landed another 4 today, all very fresh sea-liced fish. Oh to be on the Spey in May!

Big Spey Fish

2009-04-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a 26lb Salmon caught today at Upper Arndilly by a novice Salmon angler. Perhaps he should not retire at the top!

A brace of 15 pounders.

2009-03-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Ian Maclean and Jim Fulton both had fish of around the 15lb mark today. Ian was also very lucky yesterday but unfortunately didn't have the camera handy.

Hold on Gus!!

2009-03-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

Here we have Scottish International angler and 'Top Bloke' Gus Shepherd playing a 'wild springer' in the Little Turn at Kinermony today. Unfortunately the fish won the battle however, this was perhaps due to a similar drag setting from that of his last Marlin Fishing Trip. Eventhough, Boy did it go !!

Double Spey

2009-03-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few clips of the Double Spey Cast by Mike Broadey, a mighty fine caster. Enjoy.

Mike Broadey in Action at Kinermony

2009-03-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Bar of Silver

2009-03-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

Tom Robinson caught a lovely fresh fish today on his version of the Ness C. A great start to the week.

More Action

2009-02-25T12:49:00.000-08:00

A wee bit more of David McKay on the Spey

Screaming Reels today

2009-02-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

Scottish International Angler David McKay in contact with a fish today. We are fishing the Spring International together at Chew Valley Lake near Bristol in May.

Second Springer for Kinermony

2009-02-21T10:19:00.001-08:00

Here is Davie Leith, winner of the Spey Quaich in 2006, with a very fresh fish of around 7-8lbs. The fish was caught on a Carron Floating line with 5' fast sink tip.

First Fish of the 2009 Season

2009-02-21T10:16:00.000-08:00

Caught and released on Thursday on a Black & Yellow copper tube fly. A fish of around 6-7lbs.

One for the Crowd

2009-02-15T08:57:00.000-08:00

A good taking spot and cooperative Salmon, alas last years.

Breaking the Ice

2009-02-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

Gin & Tonic anyone - large glass required!

Opening Day on the Spey

2009-02-11T05:38:00.000-08:00

You will clearly see from the photo's above that the conditions weren't exactly ideal today. I didn't see anyone fishing around the Aberlour/Craigellachie area or at Arndilly on the way home. Plenty time yet!

'Grue some' Day on the Spey

2009-02-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

Just heard that the River Spey Opening Ceremony has been cancelled and below are a few examples of the reason why!

First Cast of 2009

2009-02-05T12:58:00.001-08:00

First cast of 2009 on the Dee at Cairnton, home of the legendary Arthur Wood. Only 4 Kelts and a Freelander in the ditch, so overall a day to forget - not remember!

Kinermony Footage

2008-06-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Continued good weather makes the 'Spey in May' a wonderful place to be and here is clear evidence of the fact. Quality fishermen generally recieve quality results.

Another Spey Classic

2008-05-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

With double figures for the last 3 weeks we are well on the way now and approaching 80 fish for the season. Here is Jean Pucci playing a 14lbs fish today in the Boatpool on a size 10 Jeannie accompanied by floating line.

Fun in the Little Turn

2008-05-18T13:02:00.001-07:00

This video captures Mr Jonathan Rowley playing a lively fish in the Little Turn at Kinermony. A lovely backdrop and fish weighed around 8lbs.

The Spey in May

2008-05-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

This video capture Stafford angler Mr Howard Edge fishing a floating line and size 8 Stoats tail on the Spey today at Kinermony - water temp 54deg. This was the second of 3 fish caught today in similar circumstances and followed on from 2 they caught last night. Who needs Ally's or Cascade's.

Classic Spey Salmon

2008-04-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

Here is another photo of French Angler, Guy Nardin's 20lb fish. Although much better looking swimming away from the net, this photos clearly shows why we admire these spring salmon so greatly - sheer beauty.

Brace of 20 pounders

2008-04-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of French angler Guy Nardin playing a 20lb fish today. Guy, a very experienced Salmon fisherman has been a Kinermony guest for over 20 years and he was bittery disappointed to find this specimen fish bleeding badly in the net, as seen on a further photo above. That's the trouble with the Collie-Dog at times - A mixture of emotions all around.

WELL DONE ROBYN

2008-04-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the photo of Robyn Wilson from Aberlour with her first ever Salmon. Robyn caught the fish with a Tiger Toby modified by herself and had lost a fish of similar size earlier in the day. Her proud father Stuart was present as ghillie and after returning 5 fish himself this year was absolutely delighted to be there. A picture dreams are made of. Well done Robyn.

Magic Feeling

2008-04-19T12:40:00.001-07:00

Isn't a great feeling to catch a Spring Salmon then watch it swim away strongly. Alan Maclean doing just that.

Gently does it

2008-04-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

The video shows a fine example of how to let a fish revive before release. All it needs is a little encouragement. This fish was around 18-19lbs.

Day of big fish

2008-04-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Following on from last week, there were another 4 big fish caught from the BoatPool at Aberlour today. Local anglers Bruce Cameron had a brace, approx 15 & 19lbs but was outdone by Sandy the Heron with another brace but this time, approx 18 & 22lbs in 3 casts! The smallest was retained and the other 3 returned. 8 fish caught in total, all very fresh and sea-liced. The photo's capture Sandy's first and Bruce's second, unfortunately the bigger fish took longer to revive and no photo was taken.

Video Capture

2008-04-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

A short video of Mike Ritchie playing his 20 pounder, ably assisted by the River Deveron's premier beat Ghillie and professional stick maker, Robert Cardno.

Fantastic Specimen

2008-04-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

Mike Ritchie had an excellent fish today estimated around the 20lb mark. The fish took a fly of his own creation, which he described as a cascade varient; varient indeed !! The fish fought very strongly and was quicky returned following a few photo's. It's great to see 2 fish of similar size caught this week at Kinermony by Ritchie brothers. Who's was biggest, we'll never know !

A Classic Springer

2008-04-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of a fish estimated at 20-23lbs caught today below Kinermony on the Aberlour AA. You will seldom find a better example of a Spey Springer, but unfortunately this fantastic specimen will no longer be able to populate the river with it's progeny which is a real pity. It is one of my guests rods in the picture to give some form of scale.

Lovely day on Speyside

2008-04-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photo's of Brian Garden from Fraserburgh enjoying the fight from his first Spey Springer. A lovely sea-liced fish estimated at 8-9lbs.

Mackay strikes again

2008-03-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ian Mackay from Elgin caught another lovely Springer today. Although no quite as large as his last, a perfectly formed Spey springer of around 12lbs. Ian also caught 3 kelts therefore had a great days' sport.

More Springer pics

2008-03-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here is another photo of Jim's fish, just taken prior to release.

Another Quality Springer released

2008-03-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Jim Fulton from Cawdor has had an excellent 2 days fishing, catching 3 lovely Springers. Here is a photo of his last and best fish. Notice the seal marks on the flanks - a lucky fish indeed.

Lovely Spring Day

2008-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here we have Scottish International Fly Fisher David Bonnington from Edinburgh playing his 5th Salmon of the day. He went on to catch another before lunch - all on an Ice Maiden Tube. Unfortunately not all were clearly displaying a 2008 indentification plate !!

Salmon - 14lbs

2008-03-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately this lovely fish was too deeply hooked and pumping blood during release. These things happen and there is little can be done in these circumstances. A real beauty.

Virgin Angler

2008-03-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

Pictured above is Jim Colley of Denny in Stirlingshire. Jim was visiting today and after a quick lesson on the basics of the double spey, caught a fine fish of 14lbs - his first salmon.

Tyne Anglers

2008-03-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

Picured below a fine spring fish being released. Kinermony had a fine bunch of Tyne anglers last week and there is little doubt that anglers of this quality would at least double the catches of any beat.

Tyne Anglers

2008-03-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Photo below of a springer being returned to the water. We had an excellent bunch of Tyne Anglers at Kinermony last week and without doubt anglers of this quality would increase the catches on any beat.

More fun with the Rod

2008-03-15T13:06:00.001-07:00

Here is more footage of Ian demonstrating a cast designed for coping with a strong up-stream breeze. Note the rest period between movements - easy when you know how !

Fun on the Spey

2008-03-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here we have Tyne expert Ian Henderson demonstrating the Snap C Speycast.

Fun with the camera

2008-03-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a wee bit of fun with the rods and video camera. Amazing what you get up to when not many fish about !

Fun on the Spey

2008-03-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

A wee bit of fun with the rods and video camera

Little Turn

2008-03-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

Mike Broadey fishing the Little Turn from the bank. Water 3' and rising but sound technique nonetheless.

Further photo of Kinermony's first of 2008.

2008-03-03T09:19:00.001-08:00

Another quick photo before releasing this beautiful specimen to the Spey.

First Fresh Fish of 2008

2008-03-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

The first Kinermony fresh fish of 2008 was caught today by Ian Mackay of Elgin and a real beauty it is too. Estimated at around 17lbs the sea lice were just about on their last legs and the fish put up an excellent fight before being photographed and released. This is the 5th Springer Ian has caught at Kinermony in the last 3 years and having only kept one of them is most certainly doing his bit for conservation. Another photo below.

Jock Monteith

2008-02-29T10:28:00.002-08:00

Jock Monteith is head Ghillie of the Newtyle beat on the River Tay. He is a great friend, excellent Spey Casting Instructor and one of the most highly respected Ghillies in Scotland. Back in 2004, Jock began the Inchewan Burn Project, a habitat restoration scheme with the aim of restoring Birnham's only spawning burn to it's former glory. Since then, he has lead and co-ordinated the fundraising and today, a truly remarkable figure of £93000 of investment funding has been raised. The project is due completion later this spring and all those involved are very optimistic for the future. One of the leading Fly Lines in Today's market also has the fine name of Monteith attached to it and you will see from the attached link what 'all the noise is about' a fantastic product and one I have the great pleasure of highly recommending.

http://www.themonteith.com/

http://www.speycasting.blogspot.com/

Another 2007 model

2008-02-29T10:28:00.001-08:00

Spey Salmon (Unfortunately - 2007 Model)

2008-02-24T13:22:00.000-08:00