The Birse fishing beat is the uppermost beat on the middle Dee and lies half a mile south of Aboyne. The beat extends to three and a half miles on the right bank downstream from the Altdinnie Pool, which is immediately above Aboyne Bridge.
Birse is a picturesque beat with 17 named pools providing the fly fisher with a variety of classic fly water pools, enticing riffles, runs, glides, and deeper holding pools which can produce fish from opening day until the end of the season. Most pools are easily fished from the bank or by wading and are enjoyed by both the novice and more experienced angler alike.
The wide diversity of pools on the beat means that there are always pools to fish regardless of water height with Lummels, Irrigation, Red Rock and both Jetty pools often holding spring fish from opening day.
From late spring as the runs of fish start to build through to the autumn Birse offers the fly fisher superb top water sport with light tackle, floating lines and small flies.
Cowdray Pool among others can produce some spectacular action with inquisitive Salmon and Grilse regularly rising to the hitched fly.
In addition to the Salmon and Grilse, the Sea Trout fishing through the summer months can be first class with hard fighting fish ranging from 2lb to 5lb caught on light tackle through the day and well into the night.
Into the Autumn as the temperatures begin to fall there is always the chance of tempting one of the large residents that hold in the beat with 20lb + fish caught most years and the occasional monster 30lb + fish.
The water is fished by up to four rods who rotate between the various pools. One fishing hut services the beat which is easily accessible by car as are most of the pools. The hut has a wood burning stove, w.c, gas oven with hob burners, 60L gas fridge and electric lights.
