Good afternoon everyone.
It is hard to believe that this is the penultimate report of the season from myself, the run in to the end has been quicker than I thought.
Its a cold day here in Elgin, the wind has definitely changed direction and its coming from the North so we will see a gradual reduction in temperature over next few days, what effect will this have on the last few days on the season, we will wait and see.
The countryside too is changing, the vivid green and golden hues are now being replaced with varying shades of brown as we see the trees start the moulting process, fields are being ploughed and either left fallow for the time being or getting spring crops drilled into them and the winter crops are finding their way out fo the fields and to the varying storage and processing facilities.
A wee reminder too that the Spey Foundation Auction will be taking place again in a number of weeks and they are looking for lots to auction off. If you wish to donate then please email George Wills on george.wills@lpff.net
OK lets see what has been happening this week on the river.
Lets start at the bottom this week and work our way upriver.
When I spoke to Andy Milne of Fochabers Angling Association he advised that he had not received all the returns for the week in but was aware of 6 fish being landed in their water.
Slipping upstream to David Buley at Gordon Castle/Brae Water who reports that it was an eventful week. Started with low water on Monday, 3ft lift on Tuesday, we then caught a few on Wednesday, hit by a hurricane on Thursday, more fish again on Friday and Saturday. I’m sure there’s a song a little something like that.!!
On a serious note, water was welcomed on Tuesday and was very dirty but dropped steadily through the week. We managed to land fish most days, finishing the week somewhere in the mid 20’s. Amongst those caught, there were a few first fish too, always nice to be a part of! Looking forward to the final full week of the season fingers crossed we can finish well!!
Up at Orton, Andy Gunn advises it was a relatively quiet week with them adding a half dozen fish to this years tally.
Paddling upstream to Delfur to Mark Melville who reports that he biggest rise and the highest the river has been since the end of February should have given the river some great sport this week.
It didn’t do that here,though I heard of some beats up river who have had a terrible season finally have some much needed sport.
We picked away every day and caught some fish but not the numbers we thought we would catch.
We had fish for everyone in Jonathan Ellerbeck’s party including a first ever fish for Ben Dando from Beaufort. Ben also hooked another one just before landing his first.
Peter Stanley was top rod with a handful of fish to his rod including a small fresh grilse in the gale force winds.
Tony Ellerbeck caught his first Delfur fish and Euan Clive did his usual and landed the biggest with half a dozen casts on his first morning.
It’s a cold day again today so hopefully the water temperature will cool some more and switch the fish on for the last full week of the 2025 season.
As I continue up the river my next port of call is Robbie Stronach at Rothes and Aikenway who reports 5 for the week . Mike Humphreys had two fish, one from Creeky and the other from Town Road. John Hickman got in on the action too with a pair of fish, one in Burnmouth and another from Bluestone. the final rod to have success was Tim Bevan who also got one from Bluestone.
Onto Arndilly now where Euan Reid reports that this week we welcomed Mrs Jill Edwards and her team for their 30th season on Arndilly.
Peter Reynolds got us going for the week with a fish from both sides of Jocks tail.
After Mondays rain the river was very coloured on Tuesday and although we gave it a go it was no surprise to blank.
We had 4 on Wednesday at 15″ on the gauge. Charlie Harman landed three, with two from the Long Pool (one from top and one from the tail) and one from Back of the Bog.
Much to our delight Jack Puttock had his first ever Salmon, 10.5lb from the left bank of the Piles.
In the howling gale on Thursday Charlie did well to get a fish while wading Jocks Tail left, at times it must have felt closer to flying a kite than playing a fish!
Other than the odd pull on Friday we blanked so our expectations for Saturday were limited but we had 6!
Charlie Harman got us going with a grilse from Cobble Pot.
After too long a time since her last fish with us, the new Mrs Puttock, Charlotte, caught a grilse from the Long Pool.
Also on the score card were Charlie Harman,13lb from Long Pool tail and Michael Winter from Jocks Tail.
Newcomer to the beat, John Thornhill managed to hook and land his first ever Salmon, unassisted on the concrete path in the Cobble Pot. Those that know the beat will understand that this is no easy feat. Well done John, we’re all delighted for you.
The final mention is for Mrs Jill Edwards, who fished hard all week, including through the wind and cold at the wonderful age of 90. On Saturday afternoon, with Blair, Jill had a fish in Back of the Bog. It was the perfect end to a lovely week.
Up at Easter Elchies with Orn Sigurhansson being back in Iceland, Ben Grundie reports a welcome rise in water this week. The week was book ended with Monday and Saturday being our best days. Good numbers of fish throughout the beat. Highlight of the week, Rhys Baron from Cairns, Australia, landing his first salmon from tail of Fiddich on Saturday.
As I continue upstream I am aware that fish were landed on Craigellachie and across the river on Macallan, Richard Whyte advises that plenty of fish were on show this week, and Tuesday’s welcome lift in water – the best we’ve seen all season – freshened things up nicely. We hosted three different groups, ranging from wide-eyed beginners to seasoned hands, and everyone enjoyed their time on the river.
By week’s end, we tallied 4 salmon and 4 sea trout. Notable highlights included David Hunter landing his very first Macallan salmon at 8lb, and Kevin Stewart making quite the debut with a cracking 16lb fish from Greenbank, quickly followed by another around 3lb.
With just one full week left in the season, we’re hoping the fish (and the weather) remain as obliging as our guests.
Fish were also landed on Lower Wester Elchies and also across the river on the Aberlour Angling Club water where Kenny Davies reports that they had three fish for the week with week one for Andrew Hammond, the Tait brothers Alec and Michael had one each with lots of finnock being caught on small salmon flies.
Wester Elchies had a couple of fish reports Malcolm Newbould and neighbouring beat Kinermony had a couple of kippers according to David Brand.
Carron had a half dozen fish this week, along with a half dozen seatrout reports Ian Borthwick as he edges closer to his retirement!!
Heading further up the river to Knockando where Archie Baillie reports that the week gone by was a bit better than previous week with 9 salmon/grilse and 2 sea trout. The rise in water didn’t switch them on with us the way we were hoping for with more fish being caught before the rise.
My final stop of the week is with Simon Crozier at Castle Grant who confirms that they got the rain they had long sought after but alas not the big shift of fish we expected.
The lift in water did stir up the residents and a few came to hand. Bob Clayton had 2 fish one of 10lb from Polchraine and another of 6 from the Manse. Keith Beard had a fish from Pollowick on a junction shrimp. Donald Watson landed a 6 lb fish from Pollowick and had a hold of a few more that didn’t come to hand. The rise stirred up the seatrout and we had a few up to 5 lbs. David Johnson ended the week with a grilse from the Manse.
We will have good water levels for the week ahead and hope that the fish will switch on and give us some sport .
Grantown had 7 salmon to 10lbs , Abernethy had 3 salmon and 2 grilse.
Well as we head into the last full week of the season the week ahead looks to be bright with no rain in the forecast but the night time temperatures look to be down into single digits so all we can do is keep the fingers crossed.
Next week will be my last report for the 2025 season but with a fair headwind I hope to be able to report to you in 2026.
Tight lines if you are out and about
Sandy
