Good afternoon everyone
I am back and I cannot believe that the start of the 2026 is already on us.
I hope everyone has had a good closed season and are raring to go this year- we will wait and see what this year will bring.
Its a cool day here in Elgin, no snow and glad we have hopefully seen the back of the cold spell. It was some start to the year with the snow that fell and indeed still remains on the hills. I hope the melt come slowly giving us a supply of water for the start of the season.
The spring bulbs are already pushing their way through the ground and out at Orton there is already a tremendous show of snowdrops.
The first report of the season in tinged with sadness as some of you will have already read in some publications that former Knockando ghillie Sandy Smith passed away at the start of December after a short illness. Sandy was very highly thought of amongst the angling community and was very much viewed as an old school ghillie and wonderful story teller. He will be missed by those who knew him and our thoughts remain with his family.
There have been other changes which have taken place over the closed season, with Duncan Ferguson appointed as the new Manager of the Spey Fishery Board. Duncan is no stranger to the Board having worked on the Spey for the past 31 years in various roles. Few people will know the river, its tributaries and what happens on it more than him. We wish him well as he starts this new chapter.
Duncan has given me an update as to what is happening at present and here is his update
A lot of time engaging and informing the wider river users about water abstraction In the upper catchment, one of the key responsibilities going forward
The eggs in the research facility are getting eyed up with about 3 weeks between them, numbers down from last year due to issues in catching broodstock but we have to take what we can get.
New bailiff David started with us in October and is now fully qualified and warranted. David will be covering upper river and Avon and playing his role in helping with research facility. He is also going to a develop the young work force event in Kingussie High School to showcase the new equipment we have got through FMS namely a thermal drone, binoculars trails cam and a roof mounted thermal to try and encourage more young people into industry .
The weekly reports this year will remain in the same format however as a fun element to these, the Board are introducing a weekly prize for a successful rod. This is down to the generosity of Jim Coates, CEO of Loop Tackle and we are very grateful for this. The prize will be awarded to one lucky rod of my choosing from a variety of criteria including biggest salmon, biggest seatrout, smallest fish, youngest rod, oldest rod, funniest story, along with others. I hope that this will encourage the ghillies to continue to supply me with the usual steady stream of information around catches but also if anything funny/significant happens on the beat. This is just a bit of fun and as judge I cannot accept any form of bribery to sway my decision – lol
Right on to the important matter – the fishing.
Opening day this year took place at a new location, the iconic Telford Bridge at Craigellachie. A good turnout was had to see Pastor Rob Donald bless the river and Board Chairman, Peter Graham open the river and give it a wee dram, although I do not know how much would have made it to the river before evaporation!!
As normal at this time of year the chance of a fresh fish is always there, although last years models do tend to get in the way as you search for a fresh one. Comments from some of the ghillies for this weeks report indicate a good number of kelts being present in the pools and the bulk of these are well mended, which would give a bit of sport to anyone who hooks into one.
However the elusive opening day springer was found on two occasions throughout the day which was wonderful news as this season kicked off. The first fish of the season was taken from the Sandy Hole Pool on the Aberlour Angling Club water and the successful rod was Stevie Grant, a cracking 8lber – well done Stevie. Stevie can been seen in the below picture receiving his rewards from Duncan Ferguson namely the annual trophy, a bottle of whisky, a hamper from Walkers and a Loop Classic salmon reel.
Later on on opening day a second fresh fish was landed across the river at Wester Elchies by John Milne. The fish of about 11lbs was caught in Brock and from the fly in its mouth it looks like a Willie Gunn Tube. John and beat Ghillie, Phil Leask were presented by a bottle of whisky and a Walkers hamper.
The Board are extremely grateful for the sponsorship of Inverspey Whisky, Walkers of Aberlour and Loop for the generosity on opening Day.
Delfur also got off the mark later in the week reports Mark Melville it was good to get back on the river fishing again.
We had a good couple of days with a fresh spring salmon caught on Thursday for Trout & Salmon Spey correspondent Dr Malcolm Newbould from Sourden. Nice for Malcolm as he puts in a lot of effort in the early days fishing in tough cold conditions each and every day.
Ryan Rutherford the Head Ghillie from the Brahan fishings on the Conon repeated his feat from exactly a year ago by catching another spring fish from the same lie in Big Haddie on Saturday!
The highlight of the week at Delfur was welcoming the birth of Grant & Nicola Morrison’s first baby on Saturday, Emily Rae Morrison.
Both Mum and baby doing well.
Not a bad start for Delfur, we caught a good few kelts each day which kept the fishing guests going in the Baltic conditions.
Let’s hope for a few more fish next week, up and down the river.
A couple of brief reports from elsewhere:-
Euan Reid at Arndilly reports that it’s great to be back on the river, doing what we do. The winter work is preparation for what we are all here for.
It’s good to hear of a few caught, congratulations to the anglers and beats involved.
Nothing yet for us despite the best efforts of a keen and dedicated team of local rods headed by David Geddes from Buckie.
They fished hard for the 4 days but couldn’t find out first fish. Good numbers of Kelts kept the interest up.
Andy Gunn at Orton advises no fresh fish to report but plenty of well mended Kelts around.
Lewis Webb at Gordon Castle/Brae Water reports Great to be back on the river for the 2026 season, nothing much to report other than an encouraging amount of kelts which for the most part were in really good condition.
At Easter Elchies, Orn Sigurhansson reports a week of kelts and good spirits in the fishing hut. After what feels like a fast closed season, we reopened this week, with the Brodie fishing party in good form. We were also pleased to host Spey auction winner Mark Humphries on Saturday. No fresh fish, but plenty of kelts which is always a positive sign.
At Carron, new Ghillie Neil Borthiwck reports Nothing to report from Carron. Very lightly fished for a handful of kelts.
Great to be back on the river tho & get the opening few days under the belt in my new role as Carron Ghillie.
The prize from Loop that is on offer this week and indeed the next 3 is the Onka Jacket in either Blue or Grey. This jacket is a cracking warm layer addition when its a bit chilly out there. The winner this week is John Milne for landing the second fish on opening day.
The category for next weeks prize is biggest fish (although given the time of year this is flexible)
Next week looks to be cool with a bit of rain in the mix so we will see what successes are had up and down the river.
Tight lines if you are out and about
Sandy
