Fishery
1. FISHING ETIQUETTE Good manners and courteous behaviour
are encouraged at all times.
a) A fisherman commencing to fish in front of someone fishing the opposite bank should commence fishing at least one hundred yards downstream from the opposite angler, or in a different pool. When starting behind the opposite fisherman allow a separation of at least fifty yards.
b) A fisherman must make steady progress downstream while fishing a pool thereby allowing any following fisherman on either side of the river equal progress through the pool.
c) A fisherman should show awareness of others fishing the river. For example he should be prepared to lift his line out of the water by request should another fisherman on the same or opposite bank be playing a fish. Remember the fellow fisherman opposite has an equal right to enjoyment of the water.
d) Fishermen will not be permitted to share rods.
2. FISHING METHOD
a) Fly fishing only is permitted. The following are forbidden: Spinners; baits such as a shrimp, prawn or worm; 'megabait' and similar products; chemical 'dips'; illuminating or glowing lures. If in doubt ask the ghillie.
b) The upstream method of fishing with sunken tackle is forbidden.
3. WHERE MAY I FISH?
a) There are 3 'rods' on Borrowston beat. By agreement with the owners on the opposite bank only one person on our bank can fish each rod. The rods are clearly marked on the maps in the fishing huts.
b) The rods are rotated on a daily basis at 1.00pm.
c) In that the limit of 'rods' on the opposite bank may vary from ours it sometimes will appear to us that there are two fishers against our one. Seen from the other bank however the same applies!
4. THE DEE CONSERVATION CODE
a) The Dee Conservation code will be observed. At present this means that all Salmon, Grilse and Sea Trout must be released back to the river.
b) If, despite your efforts to avoid harming the fish, it bleeds copiously from the gills, it will die if released. In such circumstances kill the fish quickly and humanely. You are not entitled to keep such fish. They will be given to the proprietor. The purpose of this rule is to avoid any temptation to kill fish.
5. MISCELLANEOUS
Glenn Kedward (01356 670361) mobile number (07766 338641)
Beat Advice
A RELEASING FISH
Please remember that taking a played fish out of the water has been likened to shoving an exhausted human head into a bucket of water immediately they have run a race. Try to keep the fish in the water at all times and release it with the least interference or damage you can. It is easiest to do this by stepping into the water (where it is safe to do so) alongside the played fish. Don't damage the fish by scraping it up the bank. More advice on releasing fish is on posters in fishing huts.
The purpose of catch and release is to return healthy fish back into the river so that they survive to breed. Between February 2000 and Sept 2004 we have killed only 18 salmon out of more than 1,250 caught. Thank you and please help us keep up this fine work.
B EQUIPMENT
Rods: We recommend the following:
Feb-early June and September - double-handed rod 14ft - 16ft
Mid June - August - double-handed rod 12ft - 14ft
Generally speaking a single handed rod is only worth using in low water conditions and it is certainly unsuitable for some wind and water conditions. Do not rely on a single-handed rod as the only means of fishing on the Dee but do please by all means bring one along in the summer.
Lines: depends on water temperature and height, bring at least one of each category:
a) sinking tip or slow sinking or intermediate
b) floating line
Note: fast sinking lines are not suitable
Waders: Chest-waders are required + wading stick
Clothing: Warm and waterproof!
Safety: Eye protection please consider wearing safety glasses, preferably polarised (we recommend Solar Shield)
Life jackets we provide inflating jackets if required.
C. TUITION
We have requests each year for tuition. Some are from complete beginners but others from those keen to improve, for example, their spey-casting technique. Our ghillie, Bill Palmer, is an excellent teacher but please be aware that if he is expected to spend much time teaching one person then he cannot attend to everyone else. Therefore it is simply not acceptable to bring complete beginners when we are fully let and expect Bill to teach. He has instructions to try to look after all our tenants equally. Complete beginners are welcome in the quiet times of the season - July and August . Please let us know that you require tuition and we shall try to accommodate your visit accordingly.
D. INSURANCE OF YOUR PROPERTY
The insurance cover in the fishing huts does not extend to items left there by tenants. If you wish to leave your belongings in a hut it is at your own risk and you are advised to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for sports and other items when travelling.
River/Area
THE DEE CONSERVATION CODE 2020
A. The season will run from 1st February to 15th October up to Aboyne Bridge. Above Aboyne Bridge the season will close on 30th September.
B. Salmon and Grilse:
Prior to 1st April it is a criminal offence to retain a salmon or grilse. By law any salmon or grilse that is severely injured or damaged, dies or is killed before this date must be returned to the river.
After 1st April there should be 100% catch and release for the entire season.
Sea Trout (inc. Finnock):
There should be 100% catch and release for the entire season.
C. At the beat's discretion spinning is a permitted option for the whole river between 1st February and 15th April. In addition spinning is permitted in August and September from the top of Maryculter Beat downstream. It is recommended that fly fishing should always be given a fair try in preference to spinning. Note spinning is not permitted anywhere in October. No more than 1 hook per lure to be used.
D. It is recommended that all hooks should be barbless or crimped. No treble hooks should be used.
E. On the Dee after 1st April all severely injured or damaged fish should be handed to the proprietor. This applies to all beats.
F. On the Cowie and Carron it is illegal to kill a salmon or grilse throughout the entire season. This is due to the Scottish Government classifying these two rivers as Category 3 under the terms of the 2016 salmon conservation regulations.
G. Irrespective of the date of capture all fish handling should be kept to a minimum to avoid damage and stress. Guidelines on how to do this are available on www.fishdee.co.uk.
H. It is illegal to sell rod caught wild salmon or sea trout.
I All anglers are requested to disinfect waders and landing nets prior to fishing to prevent the introduction of Gyrodactylus salaris and other diseases to the Dee. Further information is available at www.fishdee.co.uk.
J All pink salmon must be killed, retained and reported to the River Office on the 24-hr number, 01339 880411.
Remember, the Dee DSFB needs the vital help and support of all Proprietors, Ghillies and Anglers to realise the twin objectives of sustaining and enhancing the river's fish stocks and maintaining a viable, thriving fishery.
FishPal
EXTRA CORONAVIRUS RULES
These rules are to help ensure that not only you, but also other anglers, gillies and walkers, are protected as far as possible. They will apply to all past and future bookings made through FishPal.
1. Social Distancing. Always keep at least 2 metres away from ALL other people on the river (unless in your own household). In particular do not shake hands with anyone.
2. Do not share cars, boats, huts, tackle, nets, crockery, food etc with anyone else (unless in your own household).
3. No longer expect any ghillie to shake your hand, set up your equipment, make you cups of tea, or drive you round the beat. Do not hand any tip directly to the ghillie. Leave it where it can easily be found.
4. Bring your own food and drink and do not share.
5. Bring your own hand sanitiser and wipes and use regularly during the day, especially if you have to use any WC provided by the fishery (try to avoid if you can). Wash your hands regularly wherever possible.
6. Wear gloves when touching doors, gates, styles, fences or any equipment that is not your own.
In addition you must use your own common sense at all times to reduce the risk of cross infection. If in doubt, don't do it!
STANDARD BOOKING CONDITIONS
1. Once you have booked you cannot change your dates or number of rods (the only exception is when you book through the help desk, have notified us of any mistakes within 7 days of the date of making the booking, and provided proper evidence that the mistake is the help desk's and not your own).
2. If you need to change your rod or days, they can be booked separately if you need extra ones and they are available. If you need less rods or days, or decide not to come after all, then we can try to relet them for you, but cannot guarantee to do so. There is a £10 + VAT charge for trying and if successful a further 10% letting fee + VAT.
3. You cannot sublet the fishings you book without our permission and then only by private arrangement and at the same prices and conditions as for this booking. No agent other than ourselves or the fishery manager may be used to help obtain a sublet.
4. Rods may not be shared on any one day without prior permission of the ghillie or fishery manager, which is often refused and should never be relied upon.
5. In Scotland it is illegal to fish without written permission, so you must bring this confirmation, or a copy of it, with you when you fish.
6. Charges: All bookings are subject to a booking charge which will vary according to the amount being booked. The exact charge will be clearly displayed on the very first booking page once you have set what you are wishing to book. There are no charges for processing debit cards. Credit cards can not be used unless you confirm that you are a non EU angler and will be surcharged by 2.5%.
7. Please note that in line with general practice, we cannot give refunds for fishing spoilt by poor weather, water or fishing conditions. If for any other reason a refund is offered by the fishery it will be responsible for refunding you direct. Only if we still hold the relevant funds will we do it ourselves (funds are sent to the fishery at the start of each month)
8. You must ring the ghillie, or other contact set by the fishery, at least two days before you come, so he knows that you are coming and that you know where and when to meet him.
9. You must report full details of any fish caught to the ghillie or other contact provided by the fishery promptly.
10. We have asked fisheries to provide lifejackets or buoyancy aids of a design that will not impair your ability to fish in comfort. We strongly advise you to wear one when using a boat or when wading in strong or deep water. If you don't, you are doing so at your own risk. If you are not happy with the equipment provided, or any other safety issue, please ring us immediately, so that we can arrange for the situation to be rectified. A general guide to safety can be seen by going to this page
11. If you have any problems with the standard of service provided on the fishery, please tell the ghillie or fishery manager straightaway and if you don't get a satisfactory response, please contact the office immediately, so we have time to act before you leave. Failure to do so will severely hamper any chances of us obtaining fair redress for you.
12. To help prevent an outbreak of Gyrodactylus Salaris which has had catastrophic effects on some foreign rivers, all rods fishing must complete a Gyrodactylus declaration on arrival at the fishery. This states that either you have not used your fishing tackle abroad in the last three months, or you have done so and had it properly sterilised, or you have done so and NOT had it sterilised. In the latter case, you must agree to sterilisation taking place before you start fishing, and accept that there may be some delay in getting this organised. A copy of the declaration form can be seen by going to this page and more information on Gyrodactylus by going to this page
13. All bookings are also subject to the conditions set by the relevant fishery.
14. The booking system and its management are at all times acting only as an agent for the fishery. All letting contracts are therefore between the fishery and the person taking the fishing.
15. The system management and/or the fisheries reserve the right to immediately withdraw fishing without compensation from anyone who breaks these or associated conditions, or flouts normal standards of behaviour or fishing etiquette.
16. You need to bring your own fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies etc) unless you have specifically agreed with the fishery well in advance that they supply this for you.
17. You need to be reasonably healthy and mobile to access most fishings. If you are not, you must notify the fishery or ourselves before you book, to ensure that you can be looked after safely and properly.
18. Anglers are reminded that parking of cars should be in designated parking areas and is always at the anglers own risk.
Scotland
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