August is coming to an end and we are approaching our final month of Salmon Fishing at Dinnet. The river has been unsettled for most of the Summer with lots of small spates which has produced some fantastic river levels for fly fishing the glorious pools at Dinnet. Many rods have fished pools they have never fished before as river heights have often been too low. It is very promising that the lower river has picked up and an encouraging run of grilse and summer salmon have arrived on the Dee which was greatly appreciated after a challenging spring.
It was my absolute pleasure to guide Chris John and fishing buddy on Dinnet on the first week of August. I first Met Chris in New Zealand where we ventured out on the Waiau River in Fiordland National Park so it was great to catch up again on the other side of the world. He really enjoyed his few days, we saw several salmon but unfortunately nothing stuck on. Later that week regular Dinnet rods Anthony Donnely, Partick Gray, and Jason Wells came after three days on Lower Blackhall where they caught 5 salmon. The lads fished well and caught 6 salmon and grilse, with the best pools being Logie, Red Brae and Pol Slachd. Jason caught his first salmon on a sunray from Trochie and had another sea liced salmon from Logie on the first morning. Patrick also caught a large 11.5lb cock fish in full tartan colours whilst fishing a red francis fly deep in top slachd. The guys were thrilled with their trip and are looking forward to visiting again next year.
Sealicer from Logie
Major Wyatt and guests joined us the following week, with a nice water height and favorable over head conditions things felt quite good. Jane Younger caught the first fish from Pol Slachd a nice 4lb grils e that took a small ally shrimp tube and she also caught the second fish from Logie on the Deecastle Bank. Although we saw a good number of resident fish jumping around the fresh run fish remained elusive until Richard Brown caught a nice fresh 8lb salmon from Pol Slachd which brought us to the total of 3 fish for the week.
Last week Kev and Marica O’niell joined us for their first trip salmon fishing on the Dee. They thoroughly enjoyed their trip and we saw some fish, unfortunately the river rose fast which made catching them a little more difficult but we don’t always get the best conditions when salmon fishing. On Wednesday Rhian Richardson fished Dinnet and she caught a great fish from Bruiach pool which fought well and took a small Dee Sheep double in the head of the pool.
Rhiane’s prize from Bruiach
Kev and Marica on Deeside
As September approaches successful flies will begin to turn towards some more colourful patterns, particularly the Red Francis fishing on a sink tip can be very effective. Additionally those resident cock fish will begin to become more aggressive and willing to chase and snap at a fly.
Tight Lines
Al
Patrick with a resident from Pol Slachd
Sealiced grilse that took a sunray in Trochie
