The A to Z of Where to Fish for Salmon and Sea Trout in the Rivers of Scotland
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The Aberdeenshire Don
Tributaries:
Where to S
The Aberdeenshire Don
Aberdeenshire Council has fishing on 4 beats of the Don for which season, week and day tickets are available. There are two beats at Alford, and beats at Inverurie (including fishing on the river Urie) and at Kintore offering a wide range of fishing water. There is some great fly fishing water in Alford and Inverurie. For full details of where to obtain permits log on to: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/parks/fishing/fishing_season_permits.asp
Aberdeen and District Angling Association offer fishing on the river Don on a day ticket basis at Upper Parkhill and Upper and Lower Fintry. Parkhill produces a few springers every year usually to a slow worked spinner, silver and gold wooden Devon, Rapala, Silver and Black Flying C, silver or gold Toby or Blair Spoon. There is good fly fishing water and the fly comes into its own when the main runs start in June / July. The fishing peaks in September and October although fish run through hard (sea liced fish are often taken at Alford 30 miles away at this time of year). Best Flies Ally Shrimp, Silver Ally and Silver Stoats Tail. Grilse average 3 to 5lbs (as with many other rivers there are some exceptionally small grilse being taken recently, under 2 lbs) salmon average 7 to 12lbs. The river is big enough here to use a 15" rod. Sea trout start from May onwards and the Don is developing a real resurgence in recent years. Fish average 2 to 3bs.
Upper and Lower Fintry consists of 2900 metre North Bank on the Upper Beat from Newmill Burn downstream and North Bank from Logie Farm down to half way through the Glebe Pool. Permits for all beats cost £25 per day for salmon and sea trout from Somers Fishing Tackle in Bon Accord Street in Aberdeen, call 01224 210008.
Ardhuncart salmon fishing (fishes well after a good spate, same for Brux) and beautiful trouting water at very reasonable prices, contact the Gardeners Cottage, Ardhuncart, Alford, Aberdeenshire call 01975 571275.
Brux between Bridge of Alford and Lumsden, follow the road for Ardhuncart until it disappears and you are there, as bonny a spot to fish as you could ever ask for. I saw a fish in a pool here during very low water in 2006, thought it was a grilse until it moved off slowly, it was a trout. Contact Brux Estate, Mossat, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8PQ or call 01467 643311.
Castle Forbes 4.5 miles left bank and 3.5 miles right bank with 22 named pools around village the of Keig. Average 81 fish per year, permit costs vary between £35 and £45 per day, contact Forbes Estate Office, Castle Forbes, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8BL, call 01975 562524.
Forbes Arms Hotel salmon fishing between the Montgarrie Bridge and Bridge of Alford, contact Forbes Arms Hotel, Bridge of Alford, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8QJ.
Granthome Estate 3 miles single bank, benefits from lower water holding fish in the lower river. Salmon and trout days tickets available, contact Bob Dempster at the Millstream Cottage, Grandholme Estate, Danestone, Abedeen, AB22 8AR or call 07860 483507.
Grant Arms Hotel Monymusk has extensive fishing on 10 miles of the river, 13 beats with 24 named pools. Some exceptional water to fish with the fly in the most serene surroundings. Most beats are two rods (ideally one trout one salmon) while 4,5, and 12 are single rod beats. Fishing is fly only, all trout under twelve inches or over 2lbs to be returned. Permits cost £20 per day for trout, £40 per day for salmon and trout and £200 per week, salmon and trout. Call 01467 651226.
Kemnay AC 1.5 miles above the bridge at Kemnay, day tickets for salmon and trout from Sidelines, High St, Kemnay, call 01467 6433311.
Manar Fishings next beat up from the Inverurie Town Water, 3 rods available, salmon and brown trout day tickets, contact Sloans Tackle Shop, Inverurie on 01467625181.
Tributaries
Urie
The Urie meanders into the Don at Inverurie, holding some good quality trout, salmon and sea trout. It is fished lightly as most anglers prefer to concentrate on the Don. Permits to fish the Urie are included in the ticket for the Don issued by Aberdeenshire Council through Sloans Tackle Shop in Inverurie.
