Aberlour

[say]

Just read the report on the Aberlour Angling Club website that they have landed over 300 Salmon / Grilse so far this season.

Looking at the catches on other beats on the FishSpey website, it would appear that this beat has outfished other better known beats this season.

Is this beat always this productive, or is it due to the higher water levels this season and also have the option to use the spinning rod.

SAY

[munrokiller]

Yes indeed, they have had a great season so far.

Last year they had a great spring, as did many of the mid-river beats but this year we have had a rise in water almost every week since mid June, therefore the summer fishing has been terrific. Fishing pressure has been very high with both locals and visitors enjoying the sport. A few of the locals are into the 20s with numbers caught, with very early morning especially being productive.

Graham has rightly suggested that the private beats have a much higher rod average and with far less hours being fished. I personally feel that 'resting the water' is an excellent means of conservation in its own right. The Aberlour AA have been routinely returning fish as per the River Spey Board guidelines, however certain members have still to realise that they are 'allowed' and encouraged to return more every second fish! I must however add that their release numbers are certainly going in the right direction.

Spinning throughout the season is allowed and not restricted to water height and there are a number of members who exploit this to the full. For those interested, I wouldn't like to put an exact figure on it but would have to suggest that if the total was 300 then less than 50 would have been caught on the fly, which is a real pity as there are some excellent spey casters amongst them. Sadly - Each to their own I suppose.

[robmason]

I have in my mind the old suspension (pedestrian) bridge at Aberlour. Where is the Aberlour beat in relation to this?

[williegunn]

robmason said:

I have in my mind the old suspension (pedestrian) bridge at Aberlour. Where is the Aberlour beat in relation to this?

That bridge marks the bottom of Wester Elchies left bank, but the Aberlour burn 300yards above the bridge marks the top of the Aberlour beat, the bottom is 75%down Campbells, more or less.

[salmondan]

Aberlour has some lovely fly water. As MK says though, it is spoiled somewhat by the resident ironmongers. Even more so for anglers on the opposite bank I should think . That said, some of the guys I met were fantastic with a fly rod and I would imagine that they get far more satisfaction from their time on the river than the 5AM cutlery boys. MK himself is a fly fishing and speycasting Jedi master, how's the new rod Jock?

How individuals' catch returns compare would be an interesting read. For hours spent on the river, I would imagine that the competant fly man could easily match the catch returns of the dedicated toby flinger, do you have any info on this MK?

I will return to Aberlour next year armed with a lot more knowledge and perhaps a little more patience. Hopefully I can post pics and tales of my first Spey salmon being returned to continue upstream.

[say]

Thanks for the information, will take this into consideration when looking for some fishing on the Spey next season.

SAY