River Don 2026

[Sandy Nelson]

Opening day, water is pushing, High, dark and cold.
Didn't bother with a rod, but the snowdrops were little bright spots on a dull day.

[Duncan McRae]

What a relief to see the sun and blue skies again.
The water level is dropping nicely and at least one pool looked fishable.
Way too early for me though






Duncan

[Ivor Duffus]

What a relief to see the sun and blue skies again.
The water level is dropping nicely and at least one pool looked fishable.
Way too early for me though






Duncan

If there is the odd Springer coming in the first one could be caught well up Stream. Won't be me. Am waiting for warm weather   

[Keith Potter]

It's amazing the drop in river height in one day of sunshine. Not going to cast a line yet but will take a wander down to the Don tomorrow morning for coffee and sunrise hopefully.

[Duncan McRae]

If there is the odd Springer coming in the first one could be caught well up Stream. Won't be me. Am waiting for warm weather   

Must be an age thing Ivor
I remember when we would have been down at the crack of dawn with the river full of Grue and our rod rings freezing solid with ice

[Mike Barrio]

March To The River Don - a quick reminder that this event is on tomorrow.

The Schedule for the March is as follows:
    Assemble at the St Andrew's Church Hall, High Street, Inverurie from 8.30am onwards for tea/coffee, biscuits.
    Set off on the March at 9.30am, led by local pipers Peter Cunningham and Paul Malley.
    Arrive at the Don Bridge for the opening ceremony circa 9.40am.

[Ivor Duffus]

Must be an age thing Ivor
I remember when we would have been down at the crack of dawn with the river full of Grue and our rod rings freezing solid with ice

Those were the days Duncan. A dozen lads crammed into the bridge stream spinning with Devon minnows. Trying to untangle crossed lines 

[Duncan McRae]

Made a fleeting visit to the ADAA's new beat at Bithnie to figure out parking and access points.
A really beautiful beat surrounded by hills.

Doesn't look like it has been fished for a while and fishing from the bank will be challenging due to the numerous bankside trees.
However ,most of the water looks quite shallow so wading should be easy enough.

The beat lies both up and downstream of Bithnie bridge and has Littlewood on the North bank.




Duncan

[Mike Barrio]

Not long now 

[Sandy Nelson]

5 degrees water temp, windy, raining, hail and sunshine.
I saw half a dozen March Browns in a moment of warmth, but no sign of a fish.
Nice to be out for a cast at long last

[Gavin Stevenson]

walked lower Parkhill beat yesterday saw couple of single rises around 10.00

[Duncan McRae]

First time out this afternoon.
No bar of silver today but what a lovely afternoon to be out.

Didn't see any fly life or feeding trout but it's very early days.

Looking forward to the season ahead.


Duncan

[Ivor Duffus]

The sunshine managed to drag me out for the first time this season. A cracking day and new club waters for me to explore.

Although I was salmon fishing I was looking for fly life. Didn't see a single March Brown or any other fly. However I did see my first butterfly this year and I have had a wasp and bumblebee trying to get in my windows so hopefully the hatches will start soon.

Good luck to all out over the weekend 👍

Ivor

[Al Greig]

I was hoping to fish Kildrummy early season this year again. Alas, it is now only available to guests at the Inn. I've had some memorable trout and salmon from these waters over the years. Och well 

[Mike Barrio]

I was hoping to fish Kildrummy early season this year again. Alas, it is now only available to guests at the Inn. I've had some memorable trout and salmon from these waters over the years. Och well 

Didn't know that Al 

[John Wastle]

I saw that when I tried to book a trip for next month. What a shame.

[Ivor Duffus]

Shame to hear Kildrummy have done that. It's a big enough beat to have both guests and visitors.

Another bit of bad news is that Breda has again started selling day tickets on fishpal. However they want a ridiculous crazy £40 a day for a Brown Trout ticket.

Who comes up with this nonsense. I feel the Don would be better with its own fishdon site advertised on here.

Monymusk overpriced. Castle Forbes overpriced   

Ivor

[Dave Robb]

I wonder what Killdrummy are thinking. 

Hoping that people are so keen to fish that beat they will pay the £300 a night room rate?

Not many locals would want a room so you've effectively just binned your regulars.  Awful business practice.

As for Brega.  Ludicrous pricing when the old council beat is just down stream for £15 or Bandley below that which is a nice, albeit small stretch for £25.

[Mike Barrio]

Following Al's post, I have asked a few friends about this and other recent news.

A number of the estates on Donside are under fairly new ownership and there has been word of substantial, ambitious plans for habitat improvement, much of which focuses on the river.

It appears that some of this work will be started this year and it requires a more limited/controlled angling access while it is being carried out. I believe this is the case at the Kildrummy Estate and that normal 'day permit' fishing should return once the works are completed.

Any investment in the river habitat can only be a good thing (as it usually goes elsewhere) so for the time being it is probably best to keep an open mind and do our best to support all those involved 

[Keith Potter]

Following Al's post, I have asked a few friends about this and other recent news.

A number of the estates on Donside are under fairly new ownership and there has been word of substantial, ambitious plans for habitat improvement, much of which focuses on the river.

It appears that some of this work will be started this year and it requires a more limited/controlled angling access while it is being carried out. I believe this is the case at the Kildrummy Estate and that normal 'day permit' fishing should return once the works are completed.

Any investment in the river habitat can only be a good thing (as it usually goes elsewhere) so for the time being it is probably best to keep an open mind and do our best to support all those involved 

Definitely agree that any investment in the river habitat is only a good thing and it's good to see it happening. Be interesting to see if there's anymore info on the proposed improvements.

[Duncan McRae]

As for Brega.  Ludicrous pricing when the old council beat is just down stream for £15 or Bandley below that which is a nice, albeit small stretch for £25.

Littlewood on the opposite bank to Breda costs a bit less at £30 for a day ticket.
I think it's a pity that there isn't a half day ticket option which i personally would prefer.

Duncan

[Ivor Duffus]

I wonder what Killdrummy are thinking. 

Hoping that people are so keen to fish that beat they will pay the £300 a night room rate?

Not many locals would want a room so you've effectively just binned your regulars.  Awful business practice.

As for Brega.  Ludicrous pricing when the old council beat is just down stream for £15 or Bandley below that which is a nice, albeit small stretch for £25.

The Bandley beat and south waterside beat are under the same ownership. If I was marketing this 2 beats I would offer them on the same day ticket with the option of a lunch time swap over.

[Duncan McRae]

Ventured out this afternoon for my first trout session of the new season.

Recent reports suggested that there was little in the way of fly life or rising trout so stuck on a fly line with a 10ft medium sink tip just incase the trout were lying deep.
However,when i got to the water there was a good rise of trout taking place although i couldn't see what they were taking.
Tied on  a couple of old springtime favourites ,a Greenwells and a March brown and was soon getting some action.
After a few minutes the rise stopped and i thought i had missed it for the day.
About 15 minutes later the rise started again and the sport was fast and furious.
The stop/start rises continued for a couple of hours until the rain started lashing down and the temperature dipped.
A thoroughly enjoyable start to the trout season with some good sized,hard fighting trout in decent condition.

Duncan

[Al Greig]

Interesting, Duncan. I was on the river yesterday too. Arrived just before midday. Nothing happened until 2.15 when there was a wee hatch. LDO's I think. It only lasted twenty minutes, but the trout were certainly looking up. Dead quiet again after that.

[Duncan McRae]

A Lovely trout Al.

I arrived on the water at 1410 and the rise was underway so possibly that was the first rise of the day.

Duncan