Visiting The Don

[Dave Smith]

Hi All,
I am hoping to visit the Don in the spring for some trout fishing.  It's a river I've read much about and heard about from other visiting anglers.  I've read through some of the Don threads n this forum and there's some great information around tactics and the fishing in general - all really helpful.

I had been advised by friends who have visited previously to look at the Monymusk or Kildrummy beats, but looking on Fishpal these show as having no availability for the entire season ahead   I guess my question is two-fold, firstly, is it the case that these beats really are all booked up for the season ahead? or is it that they haven't released availability?  And if it is the case that these beats are booked up, whereabouts on the river to go?  My preference is for dry fly fishing, and I am a sit/watch/wait kind of angler these days.

I know that regular local fishers will have favourite haunts and knowledge hard-won and garnered over many years so I'm not expecting people to give away their crown jewels, but any steer as to where a visiting angler might try his hand would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Dave

[Mike Barrio]

Hi Dave, welcome to the forum 

Really pleased that you've found some useful information.
Check out Sandy's info and tactics pages in the 'River Don Fishing' section of the website via the 'Sitemap' link in the top menu, if you haven't done so already.

Probably a bit early for the beats to have released their availability on Fishpal, I think it is just a case of keeping an eye open for updates from now through to March. Availability of trout fishing is not usually a problem in my experience.

You'll find good dry fly fishing throughout the river Don, my personal preference would be for anywhere from Inverurie up to Strathdon, but that's as much about the surroundings as anything else.

Where do you fish Dave? It's always great to hear about adventures on other waters.

Cheers
Mike

[Sandy Nelson]

Hi Dave

Mike is correct, most of the beats won't have the  dates updated yet, might take until March.
Dont worry about availability you will find lots of available water from Inverurie to strathdon . There's good dryfly water on every beat.
Base yourself somewhere like Kemnay, Alford, Inverurie and you'll be close to great water and some decent accommodation.

[Dave Smith]

Thank you Mike and Sandy... exactly the kind of helpful info I was hoping for!  I will monitor the Fishpal pages and see how I go.

And to answer Mike's question, I am based down in Herefordshire... my home fishing is on the Monnow, and the Usk with Gwent Angling and our season opens on the 3rd March - good hatches of MBs from the get go.  I also fish some of the Cumbrian rivers with Yorkshire Fly Fishing - Eden catchment mostly.   Over the last couple of years - thanks to the long dry summers and warm water impacting the river fishing, I've found myself drawn to some of the wild upland llyns of Mid Wales and Snowdonia.  As I said on my original post I like to sit watch and wait.  Fishing has never really been about the numbers for me, I like to try - and frequently fail! - to find and tempt a good rising fish.  Wandering and exploring a bit of water in a beautiful setting and I'm a happy man.
Dave

[Mike Barrio]

Great stuff Dave, looks like you have some awesome waters to wander and explore 

Please share some of your adventures with us once the season gets underway!

Cheers
Mike

[Dave Smith]

Will be happy to...