FishPal - River Don Update
It’s been hard going so far this spring for salmon anglers on the Don, only a handful of fresh fish have been reported so far this season and with river levels dropping every few days angling effort has remained low on many beats. An odd fresh fish has been seen this week on the lower beats around Parkhill and a sighting or two on beats above Alford shows there is some fish in the system but its currently needle in a haystack stuff. Now into April, which was historically the prime month on Donside we can only hope that runs of fish will improve as the month progresses.
The first fresh fish of the new season came off Manar beat on March 12th a lovely 9lb fish, this one was quickly followed up by another two fish heaviest at 14lb around the same area before it went quiet again. Inverurie Burgh beat reported a cracking fish of 13lbs last Saturday and the ADAA waters at Parkhill came into their own as the river dropped reporting two fresh fish at 10 and 11lb over the last week in March. A rise in water is badly needed to get things moving especially for the middle and upper river although the lower beats will want conditions to continue and slow any arriving fish.
Brown trout fishing on the other hand has been very good since the start on March 15th. The improved hatches of March Browns and LDO’s this spring have encouraged fish up onto the surface and the dry fly fishing has been good with long spells of activity on top. Most of the trout being landed are already in very good condition with reports of several 2-3lb fish coming off beats up and down the river.
Tight lines,
Martin Webster
Helpful Information
Tackle Shops and Outfitters nearby.
Guides and Instructions on the river Don.
Where To Stay on the Don and the surrounding countryside.
Where To Eat on the river Don.
Fishing Permits for the Don and its tributaries
If you would like to share any interesting stories or pictures from your time fishing on the River Don for the purposes of this report, please feel free to contact us, via email [email protected]
Martin Webster
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Beat catches reported
(Last week)
