Week Commencing 31st August 2015

The weather behaved itself last week and it rained everyday just as forecast, and equally as predicted the river rose. Wednesday morning was almost unfishable because of the conditions but the river had settled back enough to allow some fishing in the afternoon. This coming week is for the exact opposite there is no rain forecast, I know I have promised this before, but this time I am a little more confident. The water should drop away slowly all week. The tides build for the rest of the week after tomorrow.

Catches: I understand that all beats from Kinchurdy to the sea had excellent catches with a mixture of grilse, fresh fish and residents in varying percentages depending on which part of the river being fished. Gordon Castle had another excellent week with over one hundred fish from their beats. Angus Gordon-Lennox was kind enough to send me a couple of photographs of two brothers Somerset Fell (12) with an 18lber and brother Wyatt (9) with a smaller one, both bonnie sea liced fish.

Delfur were in the mid thirties. The higher water does not really suit Delfur but Mark tells me they were seeing plenty and there was enough action to keep everyone interested.

The Murphy party fishing Rothes finished with about the same, Friday was the best day of the week with fifteen landed before lunch. Robbie Stronach sent me this picture of Lucinda Wrigley with a nice fish from Jamieson.

Craigellachie continued their fine season, with almost twenty landed.

Wester Elchies had their best week of the season with 28 landed Sam tells me that a couple of the grilse had long tailed lice on them. The biggest fish of the week  was weighed in the net at 21lbs before being safely returned.

Carron had regular tenants, the Hosker Party, as usual they enjoyed themselves and still managed to fish hard. Simon Ellner was top rod, a great achievement considering he has only been fishing for a couple of years. Ruth Hosker finished with four, and a seatrout, Ruth catching Carron’s 200th fish of the year. I am grateful for the pictures, even if Ruth’s hair looks a little windswept!

I have it on good authority that Phones had 9 on Friday as did Simon Crozier’s  rods on Castle Grant 3.

Kevin Shanks from Northumberland, was at Kinchurdy and he tells me they had an excellent week with special thanks to Gillie Bobby Hall. Kevin went on to say that his son had had a couple of good weeks there in June when Bobby ensured they were always catching fish, and he is now a true convert and will certainly be returning in years to come. Bobby Hall also sent me a picture of Tony Hulse who had a couple of fish for his three days. Many thanks to Kevin and Bobby for the remaining pictures.