Hello everyone
Another week gone and the first full week of the season, however the weather did cause a bit of havoc during the week with adverse wind, which would have made casting tricky and there was just a wee bit of rain at the end of the week which pushed the river up on Friday.
It has been a tad breezy today as I bring you this weeks short report from just outside Dingwall whilst on a family visit. The Conon is up too following the rain but some of it could be compensation flow from the Hydro dams up the system. The Findhorn did not seem to have been affected as it was running a normal height.
Spring is on the way at long last as we saw double digits this week and the show of late winter/early spring snowdrops is again breathtaking this year. It has been good to see the survival of last years Roe Deer fawns, as most morning I encounter a family group of 2 does and 4 fawns on the road into the estate where I work.
The spring bulbs are well through the ground at home so we should get a show in the not too distant future.
On the river this week there has been more spring success with another two beats reporting that they have got off the mark for the season, outwith the following reports I have not heard of any other fish or indeed how things are actually going on the river.
We have a couple of new ghillies on the river this season, both of whom are known to some anglers and indeed the other ghillies on the river.
Phil Leask has started as ghillie as Wester Elchies, taking over from Sam who retired at the end of last season. Phil will be know to folk as the under ghillie at Orton for a few seasons. The other “new start” is a we kent face on the river namely Richard Whyte, former Head Water Bailiff who takes up the role of Ghillie At Macallan. Warm wishes are extended to both of them.
Kelts are still being encountered in numbers which can be a good thing as the spring fish tend to stay in pools if the kelts are still about but the flood at the end of the week may have washed a number of these down the river.
On the river Arndilly got off the mark this week so here is Euan’s summary of the activity:_
Opening week( 5 days) with the Geddes party was blank in terms of fresh fish, but the boys worked hard and were rewarded with a good few Kelts.
Last week, we had day rods, and Dave Borthwick got our first fish of 2025, 8lb from the right bank of Jocks Tail, just below the bench at 0″.
Michael Cuthbert had a 6lb fish from the neck of Cobble Pot, left bank on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Allan Crook had a 17.5lb fish from the tail of the Long Pool on a home tied Willie Gunn.
The water rose to 2ft 1 on Friday, carrying colour, but that didn’t stop Gordon Smith from landing a lovely wee 5.5lb salmon from the hut side of Bulwark. We lost another fish on Friday amongst numerous kelts.
The less said about Saturday, the better, as I’m sure you’ve already said.
It was a really encouraging February week on Arndilly.
Up river at Easter Elchies also got off the mark per the following from Orn:_
Orn Sigurhansson reports a week of mixed water and weather conditions, and fresh fish. The week started with clear very low water, then we were pleased with a welcome rise in water, up to top of the gauge by the end of the week. Challenging overhead conditions, with strong winds. A good number of kelts continued this week and we were pleased to open the 2025 account with a 8lb fresh salmon landed from Heathery Isle on Tuesday. We added another fresh salmon on Thursday, this time from Upper Dips, weight 10lb. Both fish caught by Ian Kelly. A good week
The week ahead looks to be dry and bright with temperatures starting in double digits but falling away by a few degrees for the rest of the week. The nights look as if the nights could be frosty as temperatures look set to be below zero on a number of occassions.
One thing of note for lady anglers of all abilities is that the River Spey Anglers Association ids holding its ladies fishing festival this year after an absence of a number of years. This will take place on Gordon Castle/Brae Water on 28th/29th March. Further information can be had from the RSAA Facebook post.#, as well as joining instructions.
Well that is it for the week, tight lines for those out and about in the week ahead
Sandy
