|
|
Post by Teifi-Terrorist on Apr 4, 2007 9:02:18 GMT
(A quick hello as a newbie! great forum guys.) Dear all, Sorry that my very first posting on a salmon forum is regarding sea-trout  but I will also throw in a salmon question to keep it legit ;D Firstly, I will be fishing the Macallan water at the end of April. I have done some questioning on another forum, but this seems like the best place to lay the questions. Right, is this a good time to be on the Spey, bearing in mind that I have never fished the river. In the way of flies, what colours and sizes would I need to cover most eventualities? any parcticular patterns would be great, please. In regards to lines; floater, intermediate, and a mid-sinker, should that cover it? along with some tips. Secondly, I have been fishing the Nith for the past 11 seasons or so for sea-trout, but fancy a change this year so am looking at the Spey (unless someone can suggest another river in Scotland? via PM or otherwise). What's the sea-trout fishing like on the Spey? is there a decent run of fish? would the 2nd week of July be too late? as it would seem that the majority of fish come off in June? Which waters would you recommend? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Best wishes. TT. |
|
|
|
Post by williegunn on Apr 4, 2007 9:28:38 GMT
Macallan end of April, depends on the weather, warm and you will get away with a floater and short poly leader and size 8 flies, cold and you will need an intermediate and back to the tubes. Flies, Willie Gunn tubes, both brass plastic and Aluminium, the usual selection of shrimp flies in 6, 8, 10 or 7, 9 now a days.
Spey for seatrout always fishes best Grantowwn and above, probably because it is easier to get access and the water hasn't been hamered all day. Grantown and Abernethy angling club waters are both well priced and accessable.
|
|
|
|
Post by tynespeycaster on Apr 4, 2007 9:31:16 GMT
(A quick hello as a newbie! great forum guys.) Firstly, I will be fishing the Macallan water at the end of April. I have done some questioning on another forum, but this seems like the best place to lay the questions. Right, is this a good time to be on the Spey, bearing in mind that I have never fished the river. In the way of flies, what colours and sizes would I need to cover most eventualities? any parcticular patterns would be great, please. In regards to lines; floater, intermediate, and a mid-sinker, should that cover it? along with some tips. TT. TT Welcome to the forum, when are you on Macallan? We are on Craigellachie opposite 23rd to 25th April. It can be a good time depending on conditions. There are many Spey experts on this forum, so good advice should arrive soon  However, flies size 6 and 8 should cover needs, but should be doubles with barbs pinched for the C&R policy, Gold Willie Gunns, Ness C, Cascades and Allys on a floater with various sink tips. Spey casting would be beneficial, you are on the left bank, so it will be single spey off the right shoulder or double spey off the left depending on the wind. Garden and Tunnel pools you will be able to cast overhead but Wink the ghillie will no doubt encourage you to spey cast, in which case you will need a 15 footer and a suitable line. Remember to keep the fly in the water, enjoy the experience, Wink is quite a character  |
|
|
|
Post by Teifi-Terrorist on Apr 4, 2007 11:27:15 GMT
Sounds superb, I will be there on the 23rd+24th! so will definitely see you there (or there abouts) tynespeycaster! A few words of advice; fish the pool above or below me, because with the state of my casting/thrashing the fish will definitely leave ;D Any further tips and recommendations would be much appreciated, especially along the lines of the sea-trout please. Best wishes. TT. p.s. should bother taking a trout rod? or would that be frowned upon? |
|
|
|
Post by salar76 on Apr 4, 2007 11:40:10 GMT
Hmm. Sure I've seen you about elsewhere...
Kinchurdy is excellent for sea trout - I used to go there mid July, and it was never a dissapointment (apart from the saturday night when a spate came down 5 mins after getting into the river). You'll be paying Abercothi prices though...
|
|
|
|
Post by tynespeycaster on Apr 4, 2007 12:14:08 GMT
Sounds superb, I will be there on the 23rd+24th! so will definitely see you there (or there abouts) tynespeycaster! A few words of advice; fish the pool above or below me, because with the state of my casting/thrashing the fish will definitely leave ;D Any further tips and recommendations would be much appreciated, especially along the lines of the sea-trout please. Best wishes. TT. p.s. should bother taking a trout rod? or would that be frowned upon? TT See you there, give us a wave on the Monday. Don't worry about the thrashing, unless it is very low it's a big river, plenty of room for all. There may be some decent trout in the Tail of Tunnel and it's a bit early for the seatrout, however, if there is water there will be a few about. The rod won't be frowned upon, just not much use for it. Willie Gunn is your man for the best advice and as he says Grantown and above is the best for seatrout, lower down it is more expensive and well fished each day for the salmos. |
|
salmondan
Member
Fishy fishy, elusive fishy
Posts: 289
|
Post by salmondan on Apr 4, 2007 16:16:21 GMT
Sounds superb, I will be there on the 23rd+24th! so will definitely see you there (or there abouts) tynespeycaster! A few words of advice; fish the pool above or below me, because with the state of my casting/thrashing the fish will definitely leave ;D Any further tips and recommendations would be much appreciated, especially along the lines of the sea-trout please. Best wishes. TT. p.s. should bother taking a trout rod? or would that be frowned upon? TT Welcome to the forum. If you do intend to thrash the river to a foam, could you please send the fish in my direction,I'm on Aberlour Association's water for a week from 23rd April ;D. With regard to your trout rod question, just take everything you own . My theory on this is that if you take it all, you can't forget anything, although I did forget my net once last year  . D'oh. |
|
|
|
Post by speyghillie on Apr 4, 2007 21:09:43 GMT
Hey TT,
If its Seatrout you are after Abernethy or Aviemore would be a good bet, Abernethy (boat of Garten) had 800 last year and is fished much less than Grantown, Aviemore fished even less.
I have fished Aviemore the last 30yrs for Sea-trout, and its well under-rated but don't tell everyone.
One thing i have noticed is that the last few years the Sea-trout are running later, June /July being the best time.
I f you need any more detail on where and when, let me know as i looked after Abernethy and Aviemore for 12yrs , seen a few sea-trout in that time.
Gordon.
|
|
|
|
Post by munrokiller on Apr 5, 2007 15:39:39 GMT
Hi Gordon,
Just as a matter of interest, what percentage of those Sea-Trout are released ? We hear many stories of vast catches from Grantown upwards and really, we don't tend to get many, as they rush through the lower/mid beats. Many turn left at the Avon, but the majority head up your way and I was keen to know if the locals and visitors on the association beats up there are conservation minded.
Were you the river watcher on the association beat at Abernethy ? if so I hope you have managed to find a new job, there is a fair bit of movement on the river this year.
|
|
|
|
Post by speyghillie on Apr 5, 2007 19:42:17 GMT
Hi Munrokiller,
I looked after the Abernethy and Aviemore Associations for 12yrs, and as far as the return rate i think in the first year it was around 78% and with the changes and getting the idea of catch and release across i think it will only get better, i have known guys for a number of years that have killed fish in the past but now would'nt even think about it.
I heard today of some more movement on the river, i think this is just the start of things to come, i have never known so many Ghillie's wanting away from the Job.
My Job finished up due to the increase in the Levy, the tackle store closed and now you have to get your ticket at the post office, not long before the Assocation is finished at this rate.
Send me a PM of where you are on the river, o i got a job before i finished on the river, now if you want some really good Trout fishing . ;D
Gordon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teifi-Terrorist on May 24, 2007 14:43:42 GMT
Had a thoroughly enjoyable time on the Macallan back in April, no fish but it was great to have fished the Spey for the first time. The river was very low, some 6 inches below summer level, and I only saw one fish turn - not that surprising really, as far too much drinking/eating took place rather than fishing ;D not good news for a non-whisky drinker, who, even after the estate's best efforts, still hasn't aquired a taste for the stuff (even 30 year old stuff got wasted on me!!). Now the lobster in the fishing hut was a different story! I could soon aquire a taste for that ;D Their complex was truly awesome, and I would encourage anyone who has a few minutes/hours to spare to pay the estate a visit - especially if you are a whisky lover. Willie the ghillie was a great character, and obviously knew the water well - he didn't hold any punches, which I thought was great. TT: "I feel that my casting is improving as I work down the pool, Willie". Willie: "Ah yes, the wind is helping you more now!"  ;D Great stuff. Can't wait to get back up in July now for some sea-trout fishing. How do the beats of Aviemore and Abernethy compare in width and style to say the Macallan beat? any thoughts? Also, am yet to finalise any plans for the July trip, if I were to get a week ticket on one their waters, would the regular Spey anglers lean more towards Aviemore or Abernethy for sea-trout? Or any other beat for that matter? Best wishes. TT. Couple of shots from the break: Andrew Flitcroft fishing, note the deer leaving the water on the right bank - it swam right across the river.   The green bank pool.  |
|
but I will also throw in a salmon question to keep it legit ;D
. D'oh.
;D