Hi all
Another week has gone by, 4 to go and the 2022 season will be finished. It has been a bit of a poor run in so far this year towards the close and if we do not get a reasonable amount of water this week, the last 4 weeks could be a struggle too.
A day of mixed weather in Elgin sunshine and showers, just what we fishermen need badly but not heavy enough yet. Farmers will be praying that this break in the weather is shortlived to finish this years harvest but to be honest the majority of it appears to have been completed.
I managed to venture out for a while fishing on Friday after the Spey Fishery Board meeting but I regret to say it was chasing rainbows but when I was there I saw my first water vole and witnessed it swimming across part of the loch to an island. As is always the case, phone had been left in car!! The osprey was also out for its dinner but alas I did not see it take a fish.
Right let us see how everyone did this week.
At Fochabers Angling Association, Andy Milne reports a handful of captures in the last week as a result of the prevailing conditions. if this rain does come it may well freshen things up.
David Buley at Gordon Castle/Brae Water reports a quieter week for them with low clear water and long sunny spells. Lots of fish settled in the pools but very difficult to tempt them to take. Just less than 30 fish landed mostly older fish but we’re still seeing small pods of fresh fish going through. Fingers crossed this rain forecast brings a lift in the water maybe that will help get some of these fish to take.
Next upstream at Orton, Andy Gunn reports 11 for them this week and easily the same again falling off.
Delfur Head Ghillie Mark Melville advises that they had a good week with over 40 fish, biggest 22lb. Wednesday was our best day with 14 fish landed.
As we continue upstream Rothes head ghillie Robbie Stronach reports that they managed 6 for the week, with a couple of those in double figures.
Euan Reid at Arndilly advises that it was a lovely week on Arndilly as always but this week the fish won!
This week we welcomed Sir Richard Brook and his team and even though the fishing was tough, with the low water, we had a great week with a lovely group and lots of laughs as always. Justin Tinne had a 3lb fish from the Long Pool on Monday, Tuesday we had a 10lb fish from Back of the Bog for Will Templer on an hitched Arndilly Fancy. We had 2 on Wednesday, both for Richard Hollingbery, the first from Gilmour and the second from the bottom of Town Road, both on a #4 executioner fished conventionally!
That was us until Saturday and Haydon Fentum had a lovely 13lb hen fish from Back of the Bog. 5 for the week but a great week nonetheless.
Malcolm Newbould reports just one fish for Wester Elchies last week.
Our next stop upstream is Kinermony where David Brand reports two fish for the week, both landed by Peter Kyte. Well done Peter,
At Laggan, Mike Murdoch reports 3 fish for the week as they and the other beats limp towards to conclusion of the season.
Upstream at Castle Grant, Simon Crozier reports a week of hard work and well earned rewards. Scott Kerrs party fished Beat 3 , they had fish everyday mostly catching early morning and last thing at night, fish came to many different flies and techniques, typical of this time of year. The Tewes party on Beat one again worked hard for a few fish again on varied techniques, the Collie Dog seduced a few on Beat 2 towards the end of the week, with plenty fish in the pools a rise of water would shake things up, fingers crossed!
Abernethy had one small grilse and one seatrout to 3lb for their week.
Looking forward to the week ahead, rain is in the forecast but how much we do not know. I sincerely hope it is enough to liven things up as we move towards season end.
As I mentioned last week the Inaugural Spey Foundation Auction is taking place later this year and many thanks to those who have kindly donated an item for the auction. There is still time of others to do so and if you feel you can donate anything country sport related with a value in region of £100 upwards then please email Paul Hughes, Digital and Communications Manager for the Spey Fishery Board as he is coordinating this.
Paul can be emailed at media@speyfisheryboard.com
Finally I would draw your attention to the following works that have been carried out by the Spey Catchment Initiative.
In 2012, the Spey Catchment Initiative implemented a project to restore the Allt Lorgy, lowering floodbanks and allowing the burn to find its own natural course. Our recent monitoring has shown that the salmon and trout populations within this burn are now four times what they were ten years ago. This footage was taken in August and shows a thriving juvenile population. It is no wonder that this project won the UK Rivers Prize in 2020 and highlights just what can be achieved when we work together to address the climate and biodiversity crises confronting us all.
I will sign off now and wish those out and about in the week ahead tight lines.
Sandy
