ADAA Visitor's Rules
No Saturday tickets for salmon & sea trout in September and October Anglers may only fish Association waters if they have in their possession a valid permit, which must be produced on request by any water bailiff, warden, authorised watcher or fellow member. Anglers must comply with any reasonable request from bailiffs, wardens or authorised watchers. Current rules should be carried.
Fly Fishing only between sunset and sunrise (times as advertised in Local Press).
Hook gape must not exceed 1cm
All kelts, coloured ripe fish, finnock, salmon parr, smolts, finnock, and any fish under 10 ins must be returned forthwith to the water with the least possible injury. Fish hooked behind the head must be returned to the water. It is hoped that anglers will fly fish when water conditions are low. Spinning by those members who are elderly or infirm excepted.
Bag Limits (Fish killed) It is emphasised bag limits are not targets & anglers should only retain fish they will use. Anglers are encouraged to return hen fish. The annual bag limit for Salmon or Grilse shall be an overall total of not more than 6 fish across all Association waters, no more than 4 from the Ythan, and 4 from the Don. No Salmon or Grilse to be killed before 1st June The annual bag limits for Sea Trout shall be an overall total of not more than 6 across all Association waters. The daily bag limit will be an overall total of 6 fish. This figure may include not more than 1 Salmon or Grilse, 2 Sea Trout, 2 Brown Trout and 2 Rainbow Trout. A weekly limit of 6 fish also applies at the Loch of Loirston.
The following are not permitted
Fixed rod or set line, boat fishing, ground bait, live or dead natural minnow, prawn, shrimp, maggot, sniggering, bubble floats, shooting, gaffs, tailers, knotted nets. Sunday fishing except where permitted.
Closure of waters On competition days the beat on which a competition is being held will be closed to all visitors Etiquette/
Behaviour No dogs. Use only permitted parking places and access roads. Do not park on access roads. Park with consideration. Do not cross fields. Close gates behind you.
When river fishing anglers must keep moving a full 3ft step per cast irrespective of method of fishing. Please be mindful of anglers on the opposite bank. No angler casting upstream to interfere with anglers fishing downstream.
Neither salmon nor trout anglers have precedence.
Anglers must behave in a sportsman-like and gentlemanly manner at all times. Always act in a considerate manner to fellow anglers: -e.g. wading too deeply may affect other’s fishing enjoyment.
Anglers should only retain fish they will use.
Litter No litter discarded line or tape to be left on the banks or surrounding areas. Please take your litter home.
Return of catches Notification of catch information is obligatory on all anglers and should take place within 48 hours of all catches being made. It is important that all anglers adhere to the catch reporting rule. This must be done by following the guidelines in the "entry info" on your permit.
Sale of fish It is illegal in Scotland to sell rod caught Salmon or Sea Trout. No fish caught on Association waters can be sold.
Discipline Any angler breaching the rules will forfeit the permit issued and will be required to leave the river/loch.
Secretary If predators are in evidence notify the Secretary.
All complaints suggested improvements etc by anglers should be put in writing to the Secretary.
RIVER DON Season 11th. Feb – 31st. October for salmon and Sea trout. 1st. April – 30th. September for Brown trout.
No worming before 1st May.
No Salmon or Grilse are to be retained before 1st June.
