Afternoon all
Back in the harness after a week off. Many thanks to Sam for covering for me last week as I was involved in the last competition of the Curling season at Moray Leisure Centre – the Moray International Bonspiel.
Its another cracking day, al though the edge has returned to the wind today following a beautiful Saturday. It has been good to get out into the garden and get a start at cutting back and tidying things up after the winter. The greenhouse is nearly ready for this years plants.
The countryside is slowing starting to turn from brown to green as the spring sown crops have started to sprout following last weeks warmer spell, although the carrots planted locally have been wrapped up to protect them from pests.
I was my first red squirrel of the year this week, casually swinging through the upper canopy of some birch trees on its way to a pine tree. I could stand for ages watching these little creatures as they are so majestic. My dog thinks I am mad as I stand and look upwards as the squirrels scamper about.
Last weeks conditions on the river I think were challenging for all those on the water. It was more like a summer week, rather than the first week of April as we saw warmth and wall to wall sunshine at times. The river height is starting to cause a wee bit of concern as we have seen negligible rain fall in recent times and we really could be doing with a top up to get things going again.
Lets see how the beat have done, starting right at the mouth.
Bryan Herbert messaged me this morning to advise that he has landed a fish on the Speymouth Angling Association water yesterday. The fish was a fine 10lber and he landed it on a size 16 Silver Stoat fished on a dropper- well done Bryan. He also mentioned that a good number of finnock were seen as well but perhaps that it down to the water height so early on in the season.
Up the river at Gordon Castle/Brae Water, David Buley reports another week on Costa del Spey! Very bright conditions lead to difficult fishing conditions. We we lucky enough to land 2 fish, one on Tuesday and the other on Saturday, unfortunately no photos. Next week’s forecast looks much better, less sun, and cooler days. The river is very low, so conditions suit us down here on the lower river. We still have a few rods available. Get in touch via estate office or fishpal to book.
Stop Press – Update from David – Sorry need to change that, the guest just messaged to say he had another 2 last night. So added to the report a hat trick for Richard Miller on Saturday to finish a tough week with a bang!!
My next port of call is Orton where Andy Gunn advises that on Monday evening German angler Hauke Hinz landed a fine fresh fish of about 9lb. No action on Tuesday but Wednesday morning brought with it a welcome period of cloud cover and David Maxwell hooked and lost 2 fish in 10 minutes at the top of Cooperee. Other than that conditions were against the anglers.
As we mosey on up river, I drop in on Mark Melville at Delfur who was delighted to welcome John Martin and his team back.
Lots of fun as anyone who knows John and friends will testify! They fished well and covered the water as good as can be done.
A quieter week was had with 6 fish hooked but only 3 landed. The low clear water not helping and not many fish coming in off the big spring tides.
Bright sunshine most days didn’t help and we had as low a water as we had all last season.
I think it is fair to say that although we are early into this weeks trip we are starting to see a pattern, which is down to the conditions.
Next Stop is Rothes and Aikenway, where Robbie Stronach advises of a very quiet week for them with the dreaded blank.
Arndilly suffered the same fate but not without effort comments Euan Reid is his weekly download – “This week was a pretty tough one, as I’m sure you have already highlighted.
We had Stephen Lodge and his team, made up to a large degree by family members. The newcomer of the family was Ben, who took to spey casting like a duck to water( not that we’ve much of it now!) Ben had a wee involuntary swim early in the week then was in brief contact with a fish on Saturday off the concrete path.
Stephen Lodge lost a fish in the tail of the long pool on Monday, and Stephen Bate lost 2 in cobble pot on Wednesday.
All this is dancing around the fact that we had a blank week.
This week’s team worked hard until the end, and I congratulate them on their efforts in unusually difficult conditions.”
As they say if your fly is not in the water then you are not fishing and I it great to see rods putting in the effort when conditions are less than ideal.
Quiet times were also had a Easter Elchies where Orn Sigurhansson reports wall to wall sunshine all week and summer level water conditions. Very pleased to welcome Rabbi’s fishing team from Iceland, the James fishing party from Surrey and Caswell party from Lincolnshire. Tough conditions all week, but good energy and pleased to see the BBQ fired up. Cooler conditions forecast next week and hopefully some rain to freshen up the water.
Craigellachie, Macallan and Aberlour Angling Club all reported quiet weeks both number so fish caught but also rods fishing. If we get a wee drop of fresh water then things I am sure will change.
Wester Elchies correspondent, Malcolm Newbould reports another week of tough conditions on the river, however we managed 2 for the week. Scott Thompson landed his first ever spring salmon, 12lb on Wednesday out of the Boat Pool. The second was landed on Saturday evening from Hendry’s Cast not a usual Spring pool.
Things remain quiet until Carron, where Ian Borthwick confirms a single fish for their week, with Steve Hulme being the lucky angler.
Up at Knockando, Archie Baillie reports success amid the tough conditions as they managed a couple last week. A nice wee fish on the Tuesday for Giles Johnson and a belter on Thursday within his first half a dozen casts for Andrew Goodenough. We had a hold of one other but that was it for the week. Fingers crossed the rain forecasted for this coming week will freshen things up.
My last stop is Castle Grant where Simon Crozier advises the fine weather continued and the water continued to drop, however the week started with a bang for Stuart Martin and his party, 3 were landed on Monday, 2 from Number1 burn and 1 from High Church. A great start to the week! However things were tough with the low water and scorching weather, another fish came to hand on Thursday from the wash pot . Fish were seen across the beats and with better angling conditions forecast for next week we hope for sport to come.
The forecast for next week does have rain in it but how much we will need to wait and see. A reasonable amount would certainly help freshen things up and keep this reasonable start to the season going.
Tight lines to those out and about.
Sandy
