Fetternear

Location

Middle Don, near Kemnay

Summary

Five year average: 29 salmon/grilse
and 5 sea trout
2 1/2 miles left bank, 8 pools
Maximum number of rods:
2 rods for salmon and sea trout (including trout) and 4 rods for trout only
Ghillie available by prior arrangement, 1 basic hut
Prices: £30 per rod/day + VAT for all species ticket
£15 per rod/day + VAT for wild brown trout ticket

Description

The Fetternear beat is located in the middle section of the River. It consists of some 2 miles of left bank fishing. The beat runs downstream from the road bridge at Kemnay as far as the Hervie Burn, located in the small hamlet aptly named Burnhervie.

There is tremendous variety of water in this beat, ranging from wide, fast flowing rapids to deep, slow pools and most variations in between.

The top two-thirds of the stretch is traditionally where the bulk of Wild Brown Trout fishing takes place, with the 8 named Salmon pools being in the lower third of the stretch. This is also where the hut is located (basic).
Needless to say, Salmon are also caught in the upper section and trout frequently in the Salmon pools.
The Don is definitely a river where Trout and Salmon rods should be taken, as the sport for both can be superb. (There is nothing more agonizing than a good hatch causing a great trout rise and not being able to take advantage of the situation!)

On the Fetternear stretch of the Don fly fishing is encouraged at all times, with permission to use spinning only in exceptionally high waters.

Historically this stretch has been very underfished, as is the case for much of the River Don. This has resulted in poor catch statistics overall, although a few rods who have regular access to the River on a seasonal or daily permit basis, regularly record sizeable catches. As always, it is a case of being there at the right time! There is no doubt that the River Don has great hidden potential.

Although the conservation code is at present voluntary on the River Don, at Fetternear we encourage all fish to be returned up until June 1st. This is in line with all the East coast Rivers, in a bid to increase the Spring run of Salmon into the River. In practice this code is upheld by most anglers throughout the season. In 2005, 52 out of the 53 Salmon and Sea-Trout caught, were returned.

In 2005 we had three Salmon caught weighing in excess of 20 lbs and on the Wild Brown Trout side, four fish in excess of 5 lbs were caught. These trout give a tremendous fight, but even trout of 1lb punch well above their weight, providing tremendous sport particularly for the angler using light tackle.

At Fetternear we do provide a ghillie by prior arrangement at the time of booking, subject to his availability.

Location and Accommodation

The Fetternear Beat is located on Historic Fetternear Estate, the site upon which the Roman Catholic Bishops built a Summer Palace, the remains of which can still be seen today. An archeological dig is located there and is now in its 12th year.

Fetternear is situated directly across the River from the village of Kemnay at the top of the beat. Kemnay has a variety of shops, two pubs and one or two places to eat, including its golf club.

Only 10 minutes from Fetternear is Inverurie, a decent sized town with excellent shops, pubs, hotels and a good fishing tackle and clothing shop.

There are other Hotels, Pubs and B&Bs all within a close proximity to Fetternear.