Week Ending 6th June
The River Dee community joined family and friends to say a final goodbye to Terry Paton. The turnout was large, as expected, and the ghillies turned out in tweeds as a mark of respect for a friend and colleague. Our thoughts remain with Terry's nearest and dearest.
There were fourteen salmon reported to the website this week, along with eight sea trout.
The week began with a welcome lift in water following rainfall across the catchment on 1–2 June. Levels rose throughout the system and provided a useful freshening of conditions before gradually easing through the remainder of the week. By the weekend the river was in good order, holding above typical summer lows.
When I say we welcome the rise, and we do, particularly as it helps keep a lid on water temperatures, the thundery-shower variety we received is not really cutting it. These are often dirty rises, arriving quickly and carrying all manner of road wash and other undesirable ingredients into the river, which can leave the water a little sour. There is some speculation amongst the ghillies that road wash may not be the only thing finding its way into the Dee, but it would be crude to speculate.
As a result, this week's rain dances, prayers and incantations are focused on something a little more substantial. A proper spate would be most welcome. Four or five feet of fresh water should do nicely; good for the river, good for the anglers and, with any luck, accompanied by a fresh push of fish.
Banchory and Dess had one apiece on Monday, the best being a fine 12lb fish. Johnny Webster had an early birthday present from the Hotel Pool landing a thumper of a salmon on a wee black and yellow tube.
On Tuesday, a further four were landed. These were spread throughout the river, with two from Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo and single fish from Craigendinnie and Waterside & Ferrar. Richard Murray had one of those, a 10lbr from Little Jocky.
Wednesday's activity was confined to the upper river. Three fish were landed, the best of which was a 15lb fish from Aboyne Water. Aboyne Castle also had one, a grilse for Richard Deeley from Brown’s Corner.
David Gray landed Aboyne Water’s fish in Lummels on a full floater and a Cascade. Chaz Booth says it was very fresh and was surprised they hadn’t more given the rise. They came close to adding another couple, which were lost in play, including a decent fish that was on for around 15 minutes.
Thursday was blank salmon-wise, with just a couple of sea trout reported from Dess and Deecastle. The water was not at its best, retaining a residue of whatever was washed into the river. It was much clearer, certainly above the Feugh, by Friday. Just two fish made the net, both of which came from Cambus.
Saturday produced three, including another for Cambus and Dess. David Fisher saved a blank week at Cairnton and Middle Blackhall with a 7lb fish from the Cottage.
Dess proprietor Jeremy Clayton, and friends fished Dess. Rodger Henderson got things going on Monday morning with a very lively fish in the Island. In common with the rest of the river the heavy stain proved a bit of a turn off for any residents in the beat. James Hoy showed you must be in it to win with a salmon and a sea trout late on Saturday.
Nicol Paton had a similar week at Birse, with a few lost and several abortive plucks and pulls. Nicols rods on the lower river reported seeing fish coming through Culter and Tilbouries; hopefully they reappear in next weeks report.
Cambus ghillie Craig McDonald summed up water conditions nicely: “It was a good freshen-up with rain and some water, but I’m sure you heard from others that it went very black. Once it started to clear, we had a couple of fish.”
Charlie Cox had a nice fish of about 7lb from Tassachd on Friday morning. Ewan Maclachlan had an 8lb fish from the Bellhole the later in the evening. On Saturday afternoon John Carson had a sea liced fish of about 7lb from Clarach 7lb.
Simon Boyden shared an account of derring-do from Crathie the previous week when Robert Bateson successfully battled a 14lbr and a broken rod in the top of the Boat Runs. And on his own fly. That will linger in the memory bank for a while! Well done, Robert, for getting it done. And well-done Simon for landing two in slightly less dramatic fashion on the legendary Crathie fly.
Outlook
The outlook for the coming week remains unsettled, with a mixture of sunshine, cloud and showers expected across Deeside. While there is some rainfall in the forecast, it currently appears more likely to produce the wrong sort of rain than the right sort. Temperatures should remain moderate throughout, helping to keep water temperatures in check as we move deeper into June.
The ghillies will have their own thoughts on fly choice, but the usual mix of small dressed doubles, Silver Stoats, Crathies, small Cascades, Flamethrowers and similar patterns will cover most eventualities. Full floating lines and a mix of poly leaders remain a basic staple.
Finally, thanks to John Fyfe, Crathes ghillie and Culter’s number one botanist, for explaining the true meaning of “casting a clout before May is oot”. It turns out the saying refers not to the month itself, but to the blossoming of the hawthorn (Mayflower), signalling that the worst of the frosts should be behind us. You learn something new every day.
As ever, listen to your ghillie.
Ross Macdonald
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