Currently viewing ……….. THE COLQUHONNIE HOTEL
CONTENTS
HOME PAGE
FORUMS & NEWS
TACKLE SHOP
BARRIO TACKLE
BARRIO FLY LINES
BARRIO FLY ROD
BARRIO FLY REEL
THE LOCHS
INTRODUCTION
HADDO FISHERY
DELGATIE CASTLE
MILL OF ELRICK
PITFOUR LAKE
MIDMAR FISHERY
ARTLOCH FISHERY
LOCHTER FISHERY
RAEMOIR FISHERY
LOCH INSCH
GLEN TANAR LOCH
BRAESIDE FISHERY
MOSSAT FISHERY
RIVER DON
INTRODUCTION
FISHING BEATS
TROUT TACTICS
TROUT FLIES
WHERE TO STAY
OPENING MARCH
FISH HATCHERY
CASTLE FORBES
MONYMUSK
COLQUHONNIE
GLENKINDIE
ARDHUNCART
TACKLE & PERMITS
PLUS
"HADDO TV"
FISHING LINKS
FLY FISHING BOOKS
CONTACT
MIKE BARRIO
Set in the rolling foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, the two hundred year old Colquhonnie Hotel overlooks the Aberdeenshire Don valley from a South facing elevated site.
The hotel has been refurbished and the new owners Paul MacLennan and David Knight offer seven en-suite rooms and a family suite of two rooms sharing their own private bathroom. A great place to enjoy a drink in the wood-lined snug bar with log fire and relax in the lounge overlooking the glen. The fishing pictures and reels on display adding to the atmosphere.
The Candacraig and Edinglassie Fishings extend to 9 miles of trout and salmon fishing on both banks of the River Don, running from the Luib Bridge in Corgarff to just above Bellabeg village. This famous stretch covers every style of water, from an open meandering river through fields, to deep rocky pools. Generally access is very good throughout this stretch of water and needless to say, the views are extremely picturesque. The water is fly fishing only and tickets are available for £17.50 per day for trout or salmon in 2006.
The timing of your visit depends very much on your intended quarry. Renowned mainly for their spectacular wild brown trout, these beats fish best in April, May and early June when the big browns feed on the surface in the fast water.
On May 20th 2001, Mr. R. Baldwin, from London had the "Best Morning's Fishing since…. Ever!" with three brown trout over the three pound mark and one fresh run sea trout. These fish "took like a train and fought like a number 10 bus!" and all were caught on a dry Greenwell's Glory. The biggest brown trout in 2001 was four and a half pounds and it went from river to plate in less than 6 hours!
The second half of June sees things quieten down during the day on the trout front. Like most areas in Scotland, the angler will have to fish early in the morning and well in to the evening to do well in the brighter months of July, August and September. The odd big trout perhaps coming to the net during the day again in September.
This is not prime salmon water, but there is always a chance of a salmon or grilse and these will take a trout fly. Salmon, grilse and sea trout were being caught from May onwards in 2001, mostly in July, August and September. One local angler landed a four pound brown trout in one pool and then managed to follow this up with a four pound fresh run Grilse from the next pool down!
Some useful trout flies to take with you would include March Browns, Greenwells Glory wet/dry, Olive Duns, Blue Duns, Blae and Black, Black Pennell, Invicta, Silver Invicta and some flashier flies like Butchers for coloured water. Size 12 and 14 flies should cover most conditions.
The first brown trout of the 2002 season on the hotel stretch of the river came to the net on April 20th. It weighed 2lb 12oz and was caught by Mr Colin Mather of Perthshire. ( The coin is a 50 pence piece )
Fishing Holiday Package One: is for five day's fly fishing for wild brown trout on the upper River Don.
Details as follows:
Arrive on a Sunday for an evening meal and your first night's accommodation.
Fishing permit, breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal and your accommodation are all included from Monday to Friday.
Depart Saturday morning following breakfast.
Package Price 2006 = £410.00 per person. ( based on two anglers sharing a twin or a double room. A single room carries a supplement charge of £7 per night. )
Fishing Holiday Package Two: is for three day's fly fishing for wild brown trout on the upper River Don.
Details as follows:
Arrive on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday for an evening meal and your first night's accommodation.
Fishing permit, breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal and your accommodation are all included for the next three days.
Depart the next morning following breakfast.
( For example - arrive Monday - fishing on Tuesday Wednesday Thursday - depart Friday )
Package Price 2006 = £280.00 per person. ( based on two anglers sharing a twin or a double room. A single room carries a supplement charge of £7 per night. )
You would normally find an angling piece written by Paul Procter within the covers of well known journals such as Trout & Salmon Magazine. But following a short fishing break at the Colquhonnie Hotel in May 2002, here are some of his thoughts on the Don.
I was thrilled to be visiting a lightly populated area where the surroundings remained peaceful and unspoilt. With miles of river to go at, we agonised on where to begin. However, hailing from the Lake District the Don's upper reaches proved an instant attraction. Here, a manageable river chuckles and weaves its way around the many features. Situated by the river, base camp was the Colquhonnie Hotel. Like all good fishing hotels there are no rules here, you simply come and go at will. The water level was surprisingly low for late spring, so we looked to faster neck water for sport. I'd come to fish the celebrated hatch of Spring Olives in these parts and wasn't to be disappointed. It was lunchtime before a few duns began to appear. Thankfully the trout knew what to expect and responded accordingly. This wasn't a huge hatch, yet still significant enough to summons trout up.
Like most headwater fish they didn't have a sophisticated palette, as general dry flies worked their charm. Despite not being selective, these fish were nervous creatures. A wayward cast, or clumsy footfall would have them bolting into the inky depths. And like most wild trout they seldom tolerated a dragging fly. Reputed for producing brownies well in excess of 2lb the Don only surrendered modest fish during our short stay. But what trout they were, slim, muscular beauties with penny sized spots decorating their flanks. Wielding a 3-weight rod such trout pulled like fish twice their size. This served to reinforce my belief that pleasure is gauged on the capture of native fish in a wild and untamed land. Anyway, without a 2 pounder to my credit, what better excuse for planning a return visit.
A visit by a surveyor from The Wild Trout Trust was commissioned in 2002 in order to evaluate the river habitat on the Candacraig and Edinglassie Fishing Beats. Here are a few of the comments that appear in the report:
The River Don at Strathdon ( Candacraig and Edinglassie Fishings) is in excellent condition and needs no major habitat restoration.
The general quality of the native trout habitat is good throughout. Some minor enhancement suggestions such as the placement of some boulders and the creation of some scour pools will benefit and strengthen the resident trout population.
Water quality appears good and there is a healthy and diverse range of insect life present, for example Caddis, Baetis and ephemoptera, with fresh water shrimp in profusion.