Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Rivers & Lochs => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 04/02/2020 at 19:05
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The Don Salmon season opens on February 11th and the march to celebrate the river takes place on the first Saturday of the season, so this year it is on February 15th.
The event is open to all who would like to attend and Inverurie Angling Association hopes that a good number of anglers, guests and public will be there to enjoy the event.
As usual, everybody will gather at the Kintore Arms Hotel in Inverurie from 8.45am for tea/coffee/biscuits and then the March To The River will commence at 9.30am.
The event will follow the traditional format, with Piper Paul Malley leading the march down to the river bank below the Don Bridge, IAA President Steve Corsar will say a few words, followed by any trophy presentations, then the blessing of the river by Minister Rhona Cathart and the first cast by Provost Bill Howatson.
The event is sponsored by Glen Garioch Distillery, who will offer a dram of their excellent whisky and there will also be soft drinks and nibbles available.
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2_16_02_14_5_23_15.jpeg)
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Staying in Cullen that weekend Mike so won't make it
:z18
Jim
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Staying in Cullen that weekend Mike so won't make it
:z18
Jim
Enjoy :z12
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Picked up my season permit today and with it a smashing new cap courtesy of Mike.
Thanks for your generosity Mike.
Think this is going to be my lucky cap on the Don this year but nothing doing on the Ythan this afternoon.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/857-040320202854.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5950)
Duncan
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Thanks Duncan, cracking photo :z16
Fingers crossed that mine brings me luck on the Don too :z4
Cheers
Mike
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Managed a couple of after work sessions this week but nothing doing apart from one small kelt.
Felt great to get going again.
Duncan
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Cracking opening day for the trout season for anybody that is out on the river :z16
Edit : I may have spoken too soon :z4 :z4 :z4
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Not too bad a day, if you could find some shelter.
Water temp still just 6 degrees but nice and clear and a few LDO's around but not enough to get the devils looking up.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-150320153207.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5974)
We puddled around with some nymphs through various runs and picked up a few fish, nothing of note but pretty early season fish.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-150320153315.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5975)
Colin got off the mark as well, so the monkey is away and back in the closet.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-150320153401.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5976)
So no dry fly action, in fact we saw no rising fish, but at 6degree water temp i'm not surprised, however the flies are starting and if the water stays in the same shape there should be a plenty fish for folk to go and have a shot at.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-150320153622.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5977)
Sandy
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Great stuff :z16
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After a blank during yesterdays couple of hours, i managed to sneak another couple of hours this afternoon.
Again dodging the wind and today the water was carrying a little colour, but my luck was in and after some serious searching through some likely spots, i did manage to drop a fly on one of their noses.
Didn't see any flies, but i was out later today 2-4. A bit better size this time too, put up quite a scrap and was in pretty good nick for march.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-170320164648.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5984)
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Water temp is still running 6 degrees C and it feels damn cold when you are out in it.
On a positive note i saw a lot more flies today, with sporadic bursts of LDO's and the odd march brown from lunchtime right through till 3 o clock. Worked the nymph through plenty good looking runs and had just the one touch
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-200320153336.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5989)
In some areas, the flies, come 2 o'clock, were popping up every 10mins or so in small numbers of 5 or 6 drifting past me, this even meant a fish or two started rising and those were the first i have seen all week.
I had no luck trying the dry, but as i knew where they were i ran the nymph over them and they were quite obliging.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-200320153526.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5990)
So the best day of the week for me so far, even if the conditions havent changed much, it was nice to see a few rising fish.
Nothing significant, but bonny fish in reasonable condition, water was clear enough to start trying some underwater stuff too, fish had other ideas :z7
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-200320153642.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5991)
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy :z16
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My April / May plans have taken a big hit with the kids now being out of school :cry
Other than weekend days, I’m going to probably have to wait for summer evenings.
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Not technically the Don today, but fancied a wander up the Ury with some lightweight gear.
So i took my new 2wt out for a few casts and to try some lines and see what it likes.
The wind wasnt quite as troublesome as on the main river, but it was still challenging in places, however with a wee weighted nymph i managed to winkle out the odd fish, decent sizes for the little river too.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-220320160527.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5995)
a lot of fun with the lightweight rod, even a 16"r puts a huge bend in it
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-220320160723.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5996)
But its a bonny wee river and somewhere people should explore a good bit more, it can be surprising where the fish can be found
And today it was 7 degrees, so a touch warmer than the main river too.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-220320160828.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5997)
And they were in pretty good condition too. even if the light wasnt great at times
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-220320160949.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5998)
Sandy
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Bonny trout Sandy.
The Ury is practically unfished these days but it used to be very popular when I was a kid.
Bet there are some big trout lurking in the deep,slow moving pools.
Duncan
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Good stuff Sandy, Ury has some excellent fishing and some fantastic water, hogweed central later on though and really needs some serious work with a sprayer.
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From Inverurie Angling Association Facebook page.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-250320102515.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=5999)
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Sad but necessary in the current environment
Precedents need to be seen for them to work .
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But yet you can go out for a run.
I personally don’t see much difference between going for a walk / run on your own or fishing on your own.
Just saying.
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Sad but necessary in the current environment
Precedents need to be seen for them to work .
Yes, we are all in this together :z16
A time for rod building, fly tying, books & videos ............ just like the season hasn't opened yet.
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Yes, we are all in this together :z16
A time for rod building, fly tying, books & videos ............ just like the season hasn't opened yet.
Also time for some gardening Mike.
With a bit of luck we will be back just in time for the best of the evening trout rises and the night time seatrout run.
Duncan
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Nobody been out on the Don yet :? ...... I haven't had a chance.
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I was out early yesterday morning got a few on dry's and PTN but nothing of note. I did see a few salmon running up river
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I've not been out but had over 60 brown trout to 2.75lb and 1 seatrout of 4lb reported from both the Burgh and Ardmurdo/Keithhall beats since the fishing re-opened on Friday so the warm weather appears to be helping although the water is desperately low and in need of a freshen up.
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I've finally got round to sorting myself out and downloading the photos from the last few days.
Been an interesting few days, i started friday night after work to see what the evening rise might be like.
It wasn't bad with with fish feeding on Olive upright spinners most of the evening until around 10pm
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620185238.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6170)
Some nice ones in amongst them, but all readily rising for the fly
after 10 they switched to chasing sedges and wanted it twitching. Still struggling with the camera settings in the dark.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620185406.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6171)
Saturday morning i went out early to see what like, not much on the top, but plenty to the nymph through fast water.
River looking lovely with ranunculus
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620185539.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6172)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620185604.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6173)
Lots of good size fish up to a good size, but none of the special ones.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620185645.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6174)
Sunday night, was similar to friday, although with a suggestion from a mate, the camera issue could well be sorted
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620185801.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6175)
Yesterday i fished a new beat for the first time, lots of pocket picking in the sun. a lot of fun with plenty fish up to a decent size
and some big rocks!
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620185918.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6176)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620190006.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6177)
Some lovely runs and glides too, ranunculus looking lovely in the sunshine
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620190056.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6178)
Some little fat buggers too, lots of fun
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620190128.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6179)
Today was on a more familiar beat and it was a morning of nymphing up the runs and getting a few up to a reasonable size and then streamering back down to the car, which eventually paid off.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620190307.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6180)
Lots of olive uprights still hatching during the day, but it seems the spinners are the preferred stage, just now
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020620190403.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6181)
So now i'm Happy, sitting with a dram and sore shoulder from 2 solid days of nymphing and streamers, watching the rain come down, hoping there is enough to freshen things up again so in a week or so, the big ones start to chase the sedge on a night
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy ..... enjoy the dram :z16
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Had a couple of nice fish last night and Monday night.
Monday’s rise lasted 20mins, last night it was an hour and 45min.
Started with big sedges and finished with micro sedges which makes things interesting in the dark.
My two best from last night both to a size 10 sedge emerger
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-100620083846.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6197)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-100620083925.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6198)
No pics from Monday as I left my camera at home, but at least I’m getting the dark shots to work now.
Sandy
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Whilst I was sitting having my tea last night, the look that I gave as I peered out of the window was that of "it feels right". So I quickly finished my scran, grabbed my gear and set off for Don Side.
Unfortunately there was a far stiffer downstream breeze than I was expecting and I had a funny feeling that the cold wind would keep them down and sulking.
I am pleased to announce that one (well two I also dropped one) great conditioned seatrout decided to play ball 😎
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/950-120620174743.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6204)
Please excuse the fish being out of the water and in the grass. As some of you know I currently have a fractured knee and when couple with a high bank I had little option but to lift her up onto the bank in the net. Suffice to say it swam back strongly regardless.
:z18
Steven
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Nice fish Steven :z16
We've seen a few this week but not managed to land one yet, been smashed up a couple of times so either big browns or their sea going cousins being brutal towards a tweeked sedge.
There have been a few nice ones though last couple of evenings
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130620120154.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6205)
Tiny dimples which looked like minnows messing about turned out to be a pod of decent fish and one became 3 all to a small sedge merger, i reckon they were taking hatching pupa and only just touching the surface with a tip of the tail or dorsal.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-130620120333.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6206)
Lots and lots of fly variety both on an evening and during the day, with Yellow mays, Iron blues, small dark olives, caenis, large green duns and as of yesterday Blue winged olives hatching most of the day. Loads of different sized spinners (but all orange) on a night mixed with sedges of all sizes from great big 6's down to size 20's, so finding the right one depends where you are.
Plenty other nice fish but no monsters yet, hoping the water is fishable tonight, we shall see........
Sandy
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They wouldn't take just any fly though ...... as I found out :z4 :z4 :z4
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Thanks gents,
A size 8 black pennel with Seniors twist added to it was its downfall 👍 if I was only allowed the one fly to catch all three species from river or Loch that would unquestionably be it 😎
:z18
Steven
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Sandy, that is one of the flys I sent to you, I am sure that you know which one it is. I lost two sea trout on the Dee the same night that Steven got his one on the Don.
It is my first choice on any loch and for seatrout.
Eddie
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Black Pennel was always a great fly :z16
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I also got number of trout last night with small black pennel. All caught before gloaming but nothing after.
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Black Pennel was always a great fly :z16
Mike, the fly that Steven is referring to is a highly modified version of the original, however as you say the black pennel is a great pattern.
Eddie :z18
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Mike,
On a side note. As I previously suspected. The "lochstyle" is absolutely perfect for swinging wets on the river 👍 I couldn't be happier with it 😎
:z18
Steven
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Great stuff Steven, it's a pretty awesome rod :z12
Really pleased that you are enjoying it :z16
Cheers
Mike
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I got out last night in the mist, which was warm.
Expected a dead river, but it really kicked off around half 10 with the fish nailing little wee sedges
Last of the summer wine, my mate Foggy :z4
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270620111049.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6217)
plenty fish in the 10-12" range happy to nail a size 16 CDC and Elk until about 1115 and then it changed again and they started on the bigger ones, which i think were sand flies as one took a piggyback home with me and i found him on the floor this morning in the kitchen
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270620111419.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6218)
The yellowish body and tan wings, around a size 10-12 depending on your hook. this is what a Rhyacophilia nymph becomes. When they started hatching the trout were really making some noise.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270620111615.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6219)
This one went all airborne on me and i thought it was a seatrout, still thought he was a seatrout when he was in the net, but the photos and his yellow fins this morning suggest he was an acrobatic local.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270620112219.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6220)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-270620112259.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6221)
Good fun in the Dark and the Fog, fishing by ear :z1 with a dry sedge.
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy :z16
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The other prolific sedge just now is the Grey Flag, which is one of hydropsychidae family.
About the same size as the SandFly caddis, around a 12 but grey rather than yellow.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-010720142450.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6227)
some of the rising fish the other night, hitting both these sedges, we not locals :z16
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-010720142614.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6228)
A bit of acrobatic fun in the dusk.
Sandy
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I thought Scotland was still closed to 'tourists' .... maybe it doesn't apply to the silver ones :z8
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Nice one Sandy, it’s a brownie coming home from its holidays.
Eddie
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Cheers Eddie, judging by the way she was carrying on, it was the butteries she'd come back for :z7
Last night was pretty decent too, superb BWO hatch from about half 8 onwards
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020720085058.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6229)
the fish started on the hatching nymphs and then progressed through the emergers onto the dries. CDC spider in a 14 was a decent match for all, although i switched to a Plume tip when they were obviously taking the Duns
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020720085216.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6230)
About quarter to Eleven they switched onto the Caddis and a size 12 CDC and Elk did the business again.
Lots of decent fish in the 10-14" category, which are fighting way above their weight, so a lot of fun
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-020720085408.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6231)
The one good fish i got to the net, didn't fancy getting his photo taken :z7 he preferred to give me a good soaking instead.
Sandy
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Some cracking fish there Sandy :z16
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Mine always give me a soaking :z4
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Some great looking fish there Sandy.
Don't think i've seen the trout in better condition than they are this season.
Duncan
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Cracking trout pictured on the Kintore FB page.
A real whopper!
Duncan
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It was a real fight with that one! Caught it on a Alexandria. I’ve been following the posts on the site for a long time but never joined. The information I’ve read over the past has been a god send.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/12357-060720103737.png) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6246)
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Well done Jamie,you'll remember that fish for a long time :z16
I was chasing seatrout the other week, upstream of the golf club and there were some huge trout feeding at dusk.Regretted not having my trout tackle with me.
Duncan
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I see there was a Brownie of over 8lb caught last week as well, Upper Fintray.
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I see there was a Brownie of over 8lb caught last week as well, Upper Fintray.
Saw a picture on the ADAA site.That really is some trout!!
It looks to have a fair Kype on it suggesting cock fish but it's difficult to tell from the photo.
Duncan
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So after chasing a particular fish for 3 weeks and having been beaten up by a few of these big browns that are about at the moment. I finally got one to the net last night.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-090720114210.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6252)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-090720114242.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6253)
A new PB for me for the river. Dry sedge again. I had to put the fish on the bank to unhook it as my net was too small, but it highlighted the size of the fins, especially the adipose , which was massive and the tail was almost 6” across
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-090720114500.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6254)
So I was well pleased as you can imagine. Half an hour prior to this one I had a fresh salmon rise for the fly, it was a thumping fish too and I thought I’d hooked a monster brown until it jumped. My net was too small for it despite being a 20” pan so I tried to beach it, it didn’t like that and hinges away snapping my tippet but it was a Bonny metallic lilac fish so very fresh. I had thought that was the fish I was after as it was in the same lie, but the brownie started feeding less than 5 mins after I hooked the salmon.
2 otters had moved through the spot too just before the rise started.
So a great night, but the big fish are hard to photograph when you are on your own.
Sandy
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Maybe your ghillie should have hung around and helped with the net and photos .... but I was busy downstream catching trout that didn't fill the net to the same level as yours :z4 :z4 :z4
Twas a great evening :z16
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-090720121728.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6255)
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Cracking trout Sandy.
Looks like a cock fish from the photos.What do you think?
Duncan
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Belting fish Sandy, well done :z16
Eddie
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Definitely a cock fish Duncan
Damn sharp teeth too. I was just relived to finally get one to the net. I’ve been beaten up properly by the last 5 big boys I’ve hooked. But this time the gods decided I needed a break :z14
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Round 2 for the week last night.
The window for the rise was a bit shorter for some reason, but still a good number of nice fish rising for the sedges. A lot less olives on the water last night and i wonder if thats why the window was smaller.
Reality calls after Wednesday....... :z4 took the same fly as the Salmon the night before, from a similar looking rise, so you can never tell :z4
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-100720085426.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6256)
with a few to choose from and missing the first two takes, by being too quick to tighten, i eventually latched into this guy which put up a good show.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-100720085646.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6257)
Been in the river a couple days longer than the one George had earlier in the evening, but quite a few fish in the river and the conditions are near ideal, so well worth a punt.
Sandy
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I hear a fish ... where? ... it was about there ... cast ... bang! :z12
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/2-100720101605.jpeg)
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Been tricky the last couple of weeks.
After trying early mornings and coming up with a few fish to the nymph and trying some evenings with similar results to the dry I have only managed one good one of late.
However last week we tried an afternoon with the coloured water, the plan was streamers which Colin put to good effect with this cracking fish
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-050820214005.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6273)
However I noticed quite a few BWOs hatching and some good fish rising despite the water colour . So this afternoon I tried again...... however today it was flying ants that got them looking up
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-050820214307.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6274)
A size 18 APT seemed to be the job, Some of the better Ones turned out to be silver surprise risers again
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-050820214421.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6275)
Good fun on size 18 dries :z16
So fairly tough going but a few decent rewards for watching the water closely.
Sandy
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Great stuff Sandy :z16
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nice one Sandy.
How do you find the rubber scoop net ? I bought one years ago when i was fishing the don but i found the 'mesh' was not deep enough and didnt 'envelope' the fish leading to me struggling to net bigger fish - so i moved back to knotless normal mesh.
I now use the Scierra trout net ( large size). Its the only bit of scierra equipment i have but its a great bit of kit, not expensive and it can swallow even double figure fish with ease.
Im on my 3rd one now. I dropped one on land while carry my tube to the water and could not find it again. The other i dropped overboard.....My new one now has a float attached :X2
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Hi James
The net is custom, it’s a 19” x 14” hoop and the bag is 16” deep. I’ve managed fish up to 8.5lb but it’s a struggle. (Or a laugh afterwards :z7)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-060820094818.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6277)
I got it for landing the big browns it’s been fine for fish up to 5lb and have had them up to near 7lb in there but I can’t unhook them in the water, so I’ve got a 22”x16” one which is 18” deep being custom made just now which should be much better. It’s a special Steelhead design and is probably as big as you can realistically make a wooden scoop net. I’ll keep you updated once it arrives :z16
I really like the wooden scoop style nets so getting one the right size has been a journey.
Sandy
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A couple from the bright sun and windy afternoon that was yesterday.
Picked out some risers in amongst all the willow herb seeds
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070820080347.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6278)
BWO’s this time
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070820080419.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6279)
Good fun on light weight Japanese glass.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-070820080536.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6280)
Sandy
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Nice sub surface photo Sandy.Bonny trout.
Duncan
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Hi James
The net is custom, it’s a 19” x 14” hoop and the bag is 16” deep. I’ve managed fish up to 8.5lb but it’s a struggle. (Or a laugh afterwards :z7)
I got it for landing the big browns it’s been fine for fish up to 5lb and have had them up to near 7lb in there but I can’t unhook them in the water, so I’ve got a 22”x16” one which is 18” deep being custom made just now which should be much better. It’s a special Steelhead design and is probably as big as you can realistically make a wooden scoop net. I’ll keep you updated once it arrives :z16
I really like the wooden scoop style nets so getting one the right size has been a journey.
Sandy
I ( like you) like the wooden net handles - they are very classy. Cant wait to see your new custom one.
One evening, just as it was getting dark I hooked a good fish in the tail of a pool at ardhuncart. Tried to get it into the rubber meshed net and of course it would not fit. Ended up beaching the fish using the net a 'barrier' to stop the beached fish from escaping the shallow water :z4. After that episode the net had to go... :X1
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So after what feels like an age of not seeing any decent size rising fish, i finally managed to get the timing right last night.
The last couple of weeks i've tried early mornings and seen hatches of Yellow mays! in August! but no rising fish
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-170820080703.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6282)
Had some to the nymph but nothing exciting.
I've tried afternoons and on some days its been next to nothing rising despite good hatches of BWO's and some days there have been steady feeders, and on one afternoon some of them were getting there enough to warrant using the drag.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-170820081306.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6285)
Last night i went down after dinner just to see what was happening and i stumbled straight onto a good pod of decent size fish rising very regularly to take the BWO's that were hatching. they were tucked into the a small lie in the nose of some streamy water. water temp being 18 degrees doesnt help and makes good sense for where they were lying.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-170820081106.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6283)
Just a matter of patience and a CDC spider and i picked out 5 from what i reckon was 7-8 fish all of them worth the effort, some of them starting to change into their very impressive dating suits.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-170820081214.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6284)
so finally a night worth the effort and the best sport of the month so far.
Sandy
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Nice one Sandy :z16
August can be a funny, frustrating month on the river and I guess this unsettled weather won't be helping.
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A wee wander down last night for a few cast with a newly finished toy.
quite a few rising fish, but nothing big, there was a selection of BWO's in a couple of colours coming off (dark and light) and some bigger upwings, which i tried my best to catch and photograph but they kept getting away from me.
However using my guide at home i identified them as Autumn Duns and they look like a size 12 brook dun (as opposed to the brook dun being an 8 ) so a size smaller than a march brown also, but quite similar and very fast!
Managed to christen my new Demo rod with a nice 12" fish on the CDC Spider
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-250820103610.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6286)
probably the best fish we saw all night, but it was a nice evening to be out, although the temperature did drop quite a lot later on.
Sandy
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Finally had a good afternoon today.
It was like being back in April, half eleven to half two, awesome hatch of LDO's
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240920155206.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6310)
CDC spider was in its element and i found a good stretch with some decent rising fish, some fat boys :z7
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240920155252.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6311)
At last in amongst some good ones as well as the recent standard 10-12"
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240920155354.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6312)
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240920155424.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6313)
Great fun on 4wt glass..... as was the one i had on the nymph :X1
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240920155543.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6314)
Not what i expected on a size 14 PTN and quite a scrap, fortunately there was a kind soul who came up the river to give me a hand as i was struggling with the bank and the net. Succesful in the end though and not too coloured for a back end fish.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240920155711.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6315)
So good fun all round mixed with the recent norm, so probably my best day since July :z16
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/19-240920155808.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6316)
Sandy
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bloody salmon - you can never catch them when you try, but when your not trying.....
I remember when i was a teenager me and a pal fishing a loch in the south of scotland. He was fishing a dead rudd below a float for pike. When he was reeling in to recast the rudd was 'swiming' nicely as he retrieved - and a salmon took it !
Turns out the salmon run up a tiny tiny burn from the river cree into the loch ! Who knew....
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Looks like a great day Sandy some decent locals in there and well done on the unexpected tourist :z16
Eddie
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Visited my favourite Don beat after work and took a decent sized Hen fish not long after starting to fish.
My luck must have been in as i saw and touched nothing for the rest of the evening.
Water looked great tonight so will be back again tomorrow.
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/857-081020213237.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6325)
Duncan
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Looks pretty clean for Oct. Well done
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Cracking fish Duncan, well done :z16
Eddie
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Nice one Duncan :z16
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Cracking fish Duncan
Might have to go down and wave the DH myself.
Sandy
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The river's a great colour and height at the moment so well worth a go Sandy.
Fished for a couple hours tonight but saw nothing which is unusual for our beat at this time of year.
Duncan
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The river looked tremendous tonight following the latest wee rise in water level.
The water was carrying a tinge of colour so tied on a small Ally's tube and within minutes of starting fishing had a Hen fish in the net.
Following my early fish,i had high hopes of further success but two hours later,having seen or touched nothing else,i realised that i must have been lucky to get that fish.
Either the fish are keeping their heads down or they are simply not there in any number.
Plenty of trout rising today getting a last feed before they start to spawn.Some big ones amongst them :z16
(https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/857-151020202513.jpeg) (https://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=6331)
Duncan
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Nice fish Duncan well done.
Eddie :z16 :z16
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great pics Sandy just joined ADAA for this year so just trawling the Don trout posts from last year lol. is that area in the ADAA as i am looking to fish smaller more quieter places for a nice peaceful relaxing day out, as long as i can park not to far from river :)
take care
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Hi John
Most of my shots are beats other than the ADAA as I’m not a member. I do fish Inverurie, ardmurdo, monymusk, fetternear and various other upper beats throughout the year and I rarely meet many folk out and about.
You will find plenty lovely water that you can park close too. So have fun exploring and don’t be afraid to move around beats to find feeding fish.
Best wishes
Sandy