Dee - Instruction and guiding

Instruction and guiding

If you are new to fly fishing for salmon, it is a good idea to consider taking lessons in advance of traveling to the Dee, so you can take full advantage of your fishing holiday.

SGAIC Instructors

AAPGAI Instructors

Third party instruction on beat

Some anglers will wish to take a private instructor/ guide with them to provide individual support and tuition.

It is essential if you wish to take an instructor/guide to your beat, to clear this with your ghillie in advance. The ghillie may be able to offer recommendations. This will also avoid any misunderstandings. If you are unsure get in touch with me Email Us

Recommended Instructors 

Nicol Paton Fly Fishing

Nicol has been involved with training, development and sports coaching across different disciplines and industries to a very high standard for over 17 years and holds his Scottish Game Anglers Instructor Certificate for double handed rods, along with numerous other teaching and coaching qualifications. His main focus is making sure his clients have the best experience possible by providing a very high level of service. Nicol is also a ghillie on the lower River Dee. 

Contact +44 (0) 7833671743

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Gary Scott

 

Gary is recognised as one of the finest fly casters in the world today with global experience in all aspects of game angling. Double-handed Spey casting and single-handed casting can be taught to the highest standards. Contact Gary Scott.

Recommended Instructors

TwinPeakes Fly Fishing

Ghillies, Will and Al Peake are SGAI qualified instructors and teach both double and single handed fly casting. They run a fly fishing school on the river at Aboyne.

Check Out TwinPeakes Fly Fishing to find out more.

Graeme Simpson

Graeme is the ghillie at Birse. He holds the Masters level AAPGAI accreditation for double handed casting and the Advanced accreditation in single handed. He is one of the best in the business. Find out more on his website Get Your Pull.

Craig McDonald

Craig is one of the Glen Tanar ghillies and works at Waterside & Ferrar in the spring and Heandinch & Cambus O May in summer. He is SGAIC qualified to teach double handed fly casting.

Craig also offers private tuition.

mob +44 7786067222

email: Email Us

For beginners

The Dee Board has been running angling development events since 2014 and since 2019 has developed this into a programme called Aberdeenshire Fly Fish 50. AFF50’s vision is to introduce and encourage at least 50 new people each year, from across all ages and backgrounds to take up fly fishing in Aberdeenshire.

You can see all our planned events for 2023 and lots of tips and guides to inspire you on this page

AFF50 is delivered by a group of volunteers, including professional instructors, Dee ghillies and a Dee beat owner, who have been pivotal to the success of the programme, which would not be possible without them. The programme has received support from LOOP Tackle, which has provided trout and salmon kits and has also funded the website and guidance via Scottish Angling Development Strategy.

We run events on the river and have now developed a teaching syllabus for still water trout and salmon fishing.

The ghillies are always happy to work with newcomers and enjoy nothing more than to report a 'first ever salmon' being caught.

Introduction to Salmon Fishing

This is held each June at Invery & Tilquhillie. Participants have a full day of professional instruction and fishing. All equipment is provided.

Ladies Day

This popular event takes place each September on Invery & Tilquhillie and the neighbouring Lower Blackhall and Banchory beat. Ladies fishing has grown on Deeside and this event is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people such as the River Dee Damsels who run their own ladies-only angling events throughout the year. Participants have a full day of professional instruction and fishing. All equipment is provided.

Big Fish, Little Fish

Big Fish, Little Fish, is a days fishing where an adult brings a youngster (strictly 12+) to a beat for the day to share a cast together. It is an ideal introduction to the Dee for young anglers. All equipment is provided.

Stillwater Trout & Salmon lesson Blocks

The still water trout lessons take place over three evenings at one of the many excellent trout fisheries in the region. The block costs £50.