Upper Easter Elchies

[storlaks]

Hi, has anyone fished or knows the beat Upper Easter Elchies?

Any info on the pools and general character of the beat would be appreciated.

Might have the chance of a few days here.

cheers

[williegunn]

Macallan water. On the other bank from Craigellechie, seldom called upper Easter Elchies as too easily confused with Easter Elchies.

[storlaks]

So, being opposite Craigellechie it must be decent water? How would you rate it........in early June?

[williegunn]

Alright depending on water height; definately better than France.

[storlaks]

better in high or low water? I would expect lowish water in June.

I'm only here for the weather (-:

[williegunn]

I would prefer about a foot on the gauge, perhaps a little more. Avoid the slabs in the afternoon, the sun is straight down the pool.

[tyneandrew]

Anywhere on the Spey around that area will be quality fishing.

The Spey is by far the best river in the United Kingdom.

[castlikeaghille]

tyneandrew said:

Anywhere on the Spey around that area will be quality fishing.

The Spey is by far the best river in the United Kingdom.

Ok, that's definitive; big and bold - you'd never catch me doing that Of course it is an example of perfectly valid 'IMO'. However, this is an open access public forum.

I can make my own judgment on this assertion based on 20 years of fishing on Macallanside. However, I suspect there are a lot of people reading this who may never have fished the Spey far less the actual MW Canyon (below Grantown AA). As this is a public forum, and hence people are likely to rely on the veracity of postings, it would be helpful if you would elaborate on why this is so?

Regards

CLaG

[storlaks]

Having fished the Spey for a good few years I am aware of it's qualities. I was however interested in knowing a bit more about the above said beat. I am not familiar with that part of the river hence my question.

[williegunn]

castlikeaghille said:

Ok, that's definitive; big and bold - you'd never catch me doing that Regards

CLaG

So which river is better?

The Spey is simply the best.

[tyneandrew]

Fair point.

I have just returned from 4 days on the Spey - and my first visit. During the four days i consumed my own body weight in red wine, caught my first Spey springer, enjoyed the company of some great people and have just driven six hours to get home. This felt like six minutes as all i have thought about was the quality of the fishing, the pools i fished and a truely great river.

The pools on Wester Elchies particularly will take your breath away - they are larger than life for a dedicated fly angler. The definition of the pools, the perfect flows, the beats A1 facilties, the gillies, the surroundings, the wildlife, the people - everything is just perfect imo.

I appreciate that i am privilaged to have had the opportunity to fish here and it is not accessible to everyone - and for that i am very greatful, although i do envy people fishing it in late May for instance, when you actually catch lots of fish.

I am equally happy fishing on the river Wear or the Tees - but the Spey is simply awesome.

[castlikeaghille]

williegunn said:

castlikeaghille said:

Ok, that's definitive; big and bold - you'd never catch me doing that Regards

CLaG

So which river is better?

The Spey is simply the best.

Jeeze, anyone would think we are taking an A Level on the subject such is the paucity of depth, detail and analysis in the answers that 19th/21st C candidates expect to obtain an A pass for showin' up on

[williegunn]

castlikeaghille said:

Jeeze, anyone would think we are taking an A Level on the subject such is the paucity of depth, detail and analysis in the answers that 19th/21st C candidates expect to obtain an A pass for showin' up on

So I await a "writes like a fanny" 3 page spread, with pictures, on fishing the beat.
When did salmon fishing become so difficult? Turn up get good conditions and catch fish.,

[castlikeaghille]

tyneandrew said:

Fair point.

I have just returned from 4 days on the Spey - and my first visit. During the four days i consumed my own body weight in red wine, caught my first Spey springer, enjoyed the company of some great people and have just driven six hours to get home. This felt like six minutes as all i have thought about was the quality of the fishing, the pools i fished and a truely great river.

The pools on Wester Elchies particularly will take your breath away - they are larger than life for a dedicated fly angler. The definition of the pools, the perfect flows, the beats A1 facilties, the gillies, the surroundings, the wildlife, the people - everything is just perfect imo.

I appreciate that i am privilaged to have had the opportunity to fish here and it is not accessible to everyone - and for that i am very greatful, although i do envy people fishing it in late May for instance, when you actually catch lots of fish.

I am equally happy fishing on the river Wear or the Tees - but the Spey is simply awesome.

So what you are really sayin' is you had a great time? Hhhmm...however, when all is said and done those memories will hold true long after the detail of every fish you did or didn't catch has faded to grey; excellent repsonse

Best

CLaG

P.S If WG isn't lookin' I also know a couple of rivers where you can have a fabulous time and are even allowed to catch some fuishies into the bargain

[tyneandrew]

As a dedicated fisher i too fill my boots every season at some point. Tyne and Beauly in October last year for instance produced bucket fulls for me.

I really enjoy the hard graft of searching out for that ellusive springer in the early months though. When i caught my fish on Thursday it was as exciting as my first ever fish. The gillie found it particularly amusing that my hands were still shaking half an hour later ;D

[castlikeaghille]

williegunn said:

castlikeaghille said:

So I await a "writes like a fanny" 3 page spread, with pictures, on fishing the beat.
When did salmon fishing become so difficult? Turn up get good conditions and catch fish.,

Sage advice, especially if you are off to the Ponoi in late June. Could it also explain why the week so far page on FishMaltWhiskySide keeps crashing under the data overload?

As you have asked so politely for an insight it would be churlish to deny you. I'm sure you will agree that such an undertaking is not the work of a momment. I know it is rude to keep a lady waiting, however, an appropriate response in keeping with the tone/tome of this thread will follow once a suitable source of gaslight has been procured

Regardeth

CLaG

[storlaks]

Have to agree with Springer here. I was simply seeking some useful info on a particular beat, having never fished it before. This type of feedback is not what I was looking for.

cheers

[williegunn]

castlikeaghille said:

Sage advice, especially if you are off to the Ponoi in late June. Could it also explain why the week so far page on FishMaltWhiskySide keeps crashing under the data overload?

Regardeth

CLaG

The Ponoi in late June? To catch 100 fish I really could not be bothered, what do you do after that but brag to your friends.
IMO ( I don't do humble) fishing the Lower Spey is far more of an experience. The quality of the fish and the surroundsings far out numbers living in a insect filled tent and catching 100 grilse.

Many of the Spey proprietors do not wish to publicise their catches.

Sorry Springer but when WLAF asks a question I feel I really must answer.

[elwyman]

williegunn said:

castlikeaghille said:

.........but when WLAF asks a question I feel I really must answer.

;D ;D ;D

[salmondan]

williegunn said:

Sorry Springer but when WLAF asks a question I feel I really must answer.

I would be prepared to nominate this one for the "one liners" thread but WG already gets to do the moderator thing and can ride in the Green Banger any time he likes so....close, but no cigar.

Anyhow, see you in a week guys, I'm off to see if I can have a week as good as the one that tyneandrew's just had. 6 hour drive indeed, jeez I wish, mine will be closer to 8 .

Dan