Altyre Estate is situated on the Lower Findhorn River and is about two miles below the Poolie Falls at Sluie on Darnaway and some five miles above the tidal sea pool on the Forres Angling Association water. The Altyre Estate fishing is divided into two beats, fishing off the right hand bank. Altyre offers just over two and a half miles of salmon and sea trout fishing for up to four rods.
There are some fourteen named pools winding through magnificent red sandstone outcrops. The Upper Beat is fished from Soldiers’ Hole Pool down to the Scur Pool. The Lower Beat is fished from the Roan Pool down to the Lime Kilns Pool. The river here is easy to fish and therefore, perfect for both the beginner and the more experienced casters. The Altyre fishing also offers a good mix of high and low water pools on both beats. There is good vehicular access to most of the pools, which makes it suitable to anglers of more limited mobility.
This beat has fished consistently well over the Spring months from March through to June. Cold snow melting water from the Monadhliath Mountains creates a temperature barrier for early Spring salmon waiting to climb the Poolie Falls at Sluie. These early Spring fish tend to hold below the Poolie Falls until the water temperature rises above 42 degrees Fahrenheit or 5.5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the early Spring salmon will often get bottle-necked into the Lower Findhorn Beats, before water temperatures start to rise later in the Spring.
Altyre is also an excellent beat to fish for the grilse and summer run salmon arriving from late June onwards and running through to the end of September. As they move upstream from the tidal pools on the Forres Angling Association water, they will pause and rest up in the deeper holding pools on the Altyre Beats. Being so close to the sea, most of the Altyre salmon and grilse are usually sea-liced fish just off the last high tide. Fresh and sea-liced fish are often caught right up to the last day of the season on September 30th.
The Altyre beat is let from February 11th to the end of September and fishing may be booked from three to six day packages throughout the season.
Bed and Breakfast accommodation can be arranged at Bradbush House on Darnaway, which is run by Ian and Barbara Neale as a comfortable fishing lodge, with accommodation for up to six people.
Angler quote:
I have fished Altyre regularly for over five years. The beat offers fishing for all abilities. Those lucky enough to be fishing there will be expertly guided by Ian Neale, who can also provide casting tuition. The beat, given the right conditions, can provide salmon fishing of the highest order.
