It’s interesting speaking to various people about the weather we have had so far this yea, not least this current heat wave. Fisherman, not surprisingly, have been delighted to see us get our fair share of rain over the months. Some would of course want more, some unlucky to have been on the river before the rain and rivers on their bones, others arriving whilst the water was big and dirty and the lucky ones timing it just right as the river falls back, clears and you start to get really excited about the days ahead!
Continue reading →
It’s certainly depressing watching all the drama of a world wide emergency unfolding in the form of the Coronavirus but when I say our most recent post on our Facebook page, it certainly not only made me smile but actually, it did make me think that this year of all years is surely the year to be spending more time fishing on some of our beautiful rivers across the country.
As we approach March and snow laying thick and fast on the ground, the anticipation for those lucky enough to be out fishing the Upper Dee is at its highest level as that means beats from above Aboyne are now open for business.
My trip to the Spey last week was great fun despite the lack of fresh fish being caught!
I was invited to join a reception at the Scottish Parliament last night (Tuesday 8th January) hosted jointly between Fisheries Management Scotland and the Scottish Government on a matter dear to all of our hearts – making sure that conservation of our precious wild salmon is at the very heart of Scottish Government’s priorities going forward and I have to say that that the evening and the speakers came across as being completely joined up and genuinely keen to work together in their approach to take matters forward. 
I write this as CEO of FishPal, an ambassador of the Atlantic Salmon Trust and most importantly as a passionate salmon angler who cares so much about the future of our iconic Atlantic salmon. 
Last week I had the pleasure of returning to one of my favourite beats to fish, Wester Elchies on the River Spey. I was invited to fish by one of my very good friends who equally shares a passion for the beat going back many many years. 
It starts with a flight out to Norway on the 31st of may to join friends ready to have their first cast of the new season on the Verdal as the clock strikes midnight. It might be a short season for the rivers of Norway but the opening week is always eagerly awaited.
Skarnsundet is regarded as one of the best fishing locations in the Trondheimsfjord. Its nutrient rich waters and strong tidal currents attract large shoals of feeding fish.