River Don 2017

« **Reply #75 on:** 12/04/2017 at 22:06 »

It was a belter Mike thanks! I have other pics but they kept going up side ways. See my FB post.

« **Reply #76 on:** 13/04/2017 at 20:19 »

Today was tough going in difficult conditions, we eventually found some sheltered spots and my 11 year old fishing partner soon got into some action. Within 10 minutes of fishing Lewis got the shock of his life when he hooked into his first ever trophy trout. After a good tussle Lewis managed to bring the fish to the side where a very proud Dad was waiting to scoop the 4lb 2oz cracker into the net

Well done Lewis you played that fish brilliantly, I'm chuffed to bits for you

See, there is more to life than Fitba and the Xbox

« **Reply #77 on:** 13/04/2017 at 20:22 »

Awesome stuff, well done Lewis

Brilliant to see you on the other side of the camera, giving the old man a run for his money

Sandy

« **Reply #78 on:** 13/04/2017 at 20:38 »

Fantastic ..................................

« **Reply #79 on:** 13/04/2017 at 21:26 »

What a fish Lewis!

Scott is he free to give lessons sometime soon?

« **Reply #80 on:** 13/04/2017 at 22:44 »

Fantastic stuff guys

« **Reply #81 on:** 13/04/2017 at 22:55 »

Had to come out of hiding for this. Well done Lewis that's awesome!

« **Reply #82 on:** 14/04/2017 at 09:03 »

Fished after work last night. Started on streamers as there was a cold wind and nowt moving after 20 minutes of watching. Fished for about 10 minutes, but suddenly a few LDO's started to pop their heads out the water. I sprinted back to the car to get the 4 weight and dry flies.

5 minutes later it was finished! lol One fish rose twice and that was it.

Could not be bothered heading back to the car so used the 4 weight with smaller streamers.

Have to say a #4 SLX and a size 4 Woolly Bugger make a sweet combination. Single spey and a wee tug sent it sailing out.

Packed up at 8 and the car temp gauge said 4 degrees. No wonder I could not feel my fingers.

« **Reply #83 on:** 14/04/2017 at 17:02 »

Stocker of a fish for anyone to catch 👍🏻 What a way to get hooked on fishing & no doubt a very proud moment for dad

« **Reply #84 on:** 14/04/2017 at 19:17 »

Tough going again today, visited a few beats before finding shelter and fish. The temp increased slightly and the fishing did start to improve in the afternoon.

This was my best of the day, a solid lump in great condition...

Scott

« **Reply #85 on:** 14/04/2017 at 20:30 »

Nice one Scott

« **Reply #86 on:** 16/04/2017 at 09:58 »

Friday was hard work at times, with brief bright spells and calmer winds.

The morning was freezing and so I spent the morning walking the beat and fishing a PTN through likely runs. I hooked two fish, both of which had a big cross-stream leap and promptly came off.

From 1pm the day improved with a steady hatch of March Browns, although the fish that were rising didn't seem too fussed about those flies that had emerged and were drying off. I fished a DHE over a few steady risers, but think I spooked them all - The downstream breeze making it too difficult for me to get the fly up to them without getting within 30 feet.

The fish looked to key into the emerged flies later on as the wind calmed and a CDC Olive did the trick - I managed to drop another fish but shortly after managed to bring this chap to the net:

13" and about a pound and a half - I was pleased given the dropped fish up 'till that point, but still frustrating as some of those fish would have been a bit bigger. Still - that's my best Don Brownie yet and heading in the right direction.

James

« **Reply #87 on:** 16/04/2017 at 12:45 »

Dry shoes don't catch?? Well today they did, had a wee mole job to do, didn't take aslong as I thought, so thought I'd nip to the river on the way home.
On the last cast, right in the head of the pool, I hooked into a fish that shot off upstream like a grilse, after a heart stopping moment when it got under a over hanging tree, I managed to turn it down into the main pool, eventually slipping it into the net..

Caught in the same pool as the good fish I managed last week, just another 15yards upstream, seam to hold a really good head of big troot 😎👍🏻

« **Reply #88 on:** 16/04/2017 at 17:40 »

Ali you are you man! That is one stunning looking fish. Far better looking than my lump from today and it looks pretty close size wise!

Scott let's have it then buddy!?

« **Reply #89 on:** 16/04/2017 at 23:47 »

Well done Ali, thats a cracker

a pool with a lot of big trout? I'd keep that one quiet, if Liam finds out he'll set up camp

« **Reply #90 on:** 17/04/2017 at 10:32 »

Here are some of my highlights from the weekend. Sunday being the better day catching several trout both on the nymph and dry.

The best of the weekend fell to the nymph. The power in this fish was amazing, it took off like a torpedo

A deep solid lump.

and another on the nymph, size 16 olive quill.

Some dry fly action on Sunday afternoon too, caught this cracker on a CDC emerger....

With a mild winter and low water the weeds are going to be a problem this season. Landing fish could be interesting come June.

Scott C

« **Reply #91 on:** 17/04/2017 at 10:39 »

Scott you are also the man! We already knew that though.

Yes weeds will be a massive obstacle come June.

« **Reply #92 on:** 17/04/2017 at 11:09 »

Fair play Scott, in amongst the lumps again, that first one is a beast of a fish!!

« **Reply #93 on:** 17/04/2017 at 12:28 »

Quote from: Scott Cumming on 16/04/2017 at 23:47

Well done Ali, thats a cracker a pool with a lot of big trout? I'd keep that one quiet, if Liam finds out he'll set up camp

Mate these said pools are called honey holes. Tent was pitched last night.

« **Reply #94 on:** 18/04/2017 at 17:51 »

Nice day for it today., especially when the sun warmed things up around lunchtime.

Lots of LDO's hatching from 1130 onwards with the odd sprinkle of MB's

Plenty decent fish rising. Plume tip in a size 14 was the trick.

Best one of the afternoon, didn't want to stick around for his picture

After the relentless wind of last week, it was a nice respite today, hopefully it continues for the next few days.

Sandy

« **Reply #95 on:** 18/04/2017 at 17:58 »

Great stuff Sandy

« **Reply #96 on:** 18/04/2017 at 20:32 »

Great stuff guys

« **Reply #97 on:** 19/04/2017 at 14:22 »

Hi guys,

I'm getting away from my upper Clyde fishing adventures to come up and fish Kemnay for trout in May (as I couldnt get on Kildrummy which was my first choice). Has anyone got any tips or beat advice for that stretch of the Don? What dry patterns work best for the bigger fish?

Cheers,
Grant.

« **Reply #98 on:** 19/04/2017 at 14:43 »

Quote from: Grant Montgomery on 19/04/2017 at 14:22

Hi guys,

I'm getting away from my upper Clyde fishing adventures to come up and fish Kemnay for trout in May (as I couldnt get on Kildrummy which was my first choice). Has anyone got any tips or beat advice for that stretch of the Don? What dry patterns work best for the bigger fish?

Cheers,
Grant.

A bit from Mike on naming specific beats that is posted in this forum. I know it may seem all secret squirrel like, but it is to protect the fish.

"Fishing The Fly has always been based around all things fly fishing in Aberdeenshire. Over the years the forum membership has grown, the discussions are now more diverse and we have members all over the world.

Wild Fishing Waters:

We are fishing in some fantastic locations and naturally want to speak about them

It is great to speak about our good days on the water and to share a few photos ...... but we will obviously have concerns about naming our favourite river beats and loch locations.

Please use your common sense with this ....... and simply speak about "on the River Deveron near Huntly", "on the Upper/Middle/Lower River Don", or "a loch near Inverness" for example.

If you would like to know more about a given location mentioned in somebody's post, the question can be asked via the PM message system.

"

« **Reply #99 on:** 19/04/2017 at 15:53 »

Apologies-point noted.

Thanks
Grant