FishDee report for 2007

[greenbanks]

Please find below the FishDee report which Edward Humphries has produced,he has produced some great reports all season and is a real champion of the river.

2007 SEASON REVIEW

The total number of fish recorded so far on FishDee for 2007 is 4984, an increase of over 550 fish on the previous year and a staggering 1100 on the five year average. There is no doubt the Dee has fished extremely well this year, although the middle and lower river may not agree that this was the case in the spring when the fish ran hard to the upper river. However, the poor summer weather meant for excellent fishing conditions through July, August and September with August being the best recorded month on the river since 1952 and July the third best on record.

Going back to the spring, a total of 1621 fish were caught to the end of May compared to the five year average (FYA) of 1834 which, as I have said before, does not tell the whole story as the majority of fish bypassed the lower and middle river and so were fished over by far fewer rods. The summer months of June, July and August produced 2158 fish against a FYA of 1242 while September being the only autumn month recorded 1205 against FYA of 778. In 2004 the total declared catch on the Dee was 6046 and I am confident that when all the returns are compiled by the Scottish Government that 2007 will have recorded more fish. Out of 37 beats recording catches on FishDee 24 exceeded their FYA including every beat in the upper river. Leading the way in the upper river was Craigendinnie which almost trebled its FYA catch. Aboyne Castle on the bank opposite recorded 74 fish alone in August and September, while Dinnet & Deecastle recorded their best spring catch in 12 years. Both Birkhall and Crathie doubled their FYA with Crathie reaching the magical 200 fish mark. Monaltrie & Lower Invercauld recorded a better year than even 2003 but Waterside and Ferrar, Cambus O'May, Abergeldie and Balmoral also all improved on their FYA catches.

In the middle river the following beats all improved on their FYA catches; Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo, Cairnton, Woodend, Commonty, Sluie & Ballogie with the outstanding achievement being the 67 fish caught in August on Cairnton.

In the lower river Park recorded 527 fish in August and September to be 200 fish over their FYA, while Banchory recorded 279 fish in July and August to almost double their FYA. Altries recorded 199 fish in August and September and Lower Crathes 189 in the same months as they and Blairs, Middle Drum and Crathes also improved on their FYA.

So the improvement in the Dee continues and while it can be argued that water conditions were at times excellent, there still have to be fish in the river to be caught. Again the Dee produced many, many big fish over the 20lb mark and in a few cases into the low 30's but also the size and condition of the grilse this summer has been encouraging although we look forward to finding out more about the red vents.

May I take this opportunity of thanking all Ghillies, Estate Offices etc for recording catches on FishDee.

Last week

A final excellent week of 322 so far has pushed the website total well clear of last year and I anticipate that as beats finalise their figures the Dee may end up over 500 ahead of last year but when those beats not subscribing make their returns to the Board we could well surpass last years total declared catch of 5597.

Top beat again was Park with 91 to leave them just short of 700 for the season, followed by Altries 33, Lower Crathes 31 and Middle Drum 15. Altries' 50 fish the previous week was their best weekly catch for 38 years and having surpassed 100 for September is the first time a monthly century has been posted since March 1963. The 50 fish were caught by a party of four Frenchmen including Guy Nardin from Besancon who caught 19 to his own rod but lost a possible 40lbs plus fish after 35 minutes. The Atlantic Salmon Trust Biologist, John Webb, had seen a fish of that size in the same area a few days earlier.

Park landed a 32lb fish on Thursday with a 27lb also caught on Aboyne Water on Friday and a 25lb off Lower Crathes on Saturday - what a way to finish the season!

In the middle river Little Blackhall & Inchmarlo 21 and Ballogie 18 led the way while Aboyne Castle 20 and Monaltrie & Lower Invercauld 13 had best returns. When beat figures are finalised in the coming week I can comment further but for now it is good to see Crathie reaching 200, Dinnet 150, Deecastle 125, Aboyne Castle 125 and Craigendinnie 115 all far in excess of the 5 year average.

The middle river missed out on the good spring and to an extent the terrific summer while the lower river has had a summer bonanza to make up for a poor spring.

Finally this may well be my last weekly report so can I thank all ghillies, offices etc. for putting on catches so promptly during season and for passing on the odd story my way but, if I may, the biggest thank you goes to my dear wife, Serena, who has dutifully typed up these reports every Sunday evening with only limited editorial control. So it was fitting yesterday that after hearing of Ian Scott and Charles Taylor catching 8 each on Aboyne Castle that she should have a last cast herself and was duly rewarded with a 7lb salmon from Tanar Mouth, her first fish of the season. © September 2007 Edward Humphrey/Fishdee

[Tyne Andrew]

Thanks for posting that report Greenbanks, it has certainly been an encouraging season on the Dee and we can only hope it continues in future years.

I think it is spot on with reference to the spring run, it was actually better than the figures make out, with the fish running hard to the top of the system. In a more normal year when they linger in the lower reaches and move steadily through the middle beats then many more are caught. But when they rattle through, few are intercepted – like this year.

Ultimately the Dee is a spring river though, and for people like myself who fish then, and have invested in spring fishing, it is an upturn in these catches that I and most of us want to see.

And we don’t want them rattling through to the top every year, which might become more the norm with mild temperatures

Andrew

[greenbanks]

Hi Andrew

Yeah agree with your comments about the Spring run being that crown jewels of the river system on the Dee.I have never seen more beautiful fish than some of the springers we had this year.They are so stunning they make the back end kippers look a different species of fish altogether.Have been out on the river this morning with Willie Banks doing some double haul tuition,i will get to his standard....aye one day.
Anyway you probably saw the stats and know we had a great back end run into the system, well it looks as though quite a few are at it spawning as there was unbelievable activity on the shallow riffly gravels this morning where we dont normally see fish.
Its a pity you didnt see some of our big msw summer fish this year in July and August as they were stunning fish to catch and gave excellent sport to our rods who were able to have a cast.A lot of people don't fish Dee in August as there isn't normally water,however given water there is a big summer back end component that does come into the lower river from Banchory to Aberdeen.A well kent secret the locals covet mind

[Altmor]

Originally Posted by greenbanks

Hi Andrew

A lot of people don't fish Dee in August as there isn't normally water,however given water there is a big summer back end component that does come into the lower river from Banchory to Aberdeen.A well kent secret the locals covet mind

Not any more Kenny.

[Tyne Andrew]

I experienced it not far below you in August

[greenbanks]

Originally Posted by Tyne Andrew

I experienced it not far below you in August

Good stuff Andrew hope you were able to connect with a few.
Been quite a back end with so many fish visible.

[greenbanks]

Guess there will be a few spanking springers slowly entering the river just now and seeking company of the many kelts inhabiting the lower reaches just now.See the forecast for the week shows regular snowfalls.This will hold the fish up and should encourage fish to hang around the deeper slower pools.
Now who is going to produce the first springer of the year on the Dee?
Park,Crathes,Kingcaussie,Blairs,Middle Drum,Crathes castle or one of the Blackhall beats??I would think anyone of them can produce on opening day and hope those lucky enough to have a cast on the first of February get a springer.The river is running nice and clear and at a nice fishing height.

[Sloggi]

Originally Posted by greenbanks

Guess there will be a few spanking springers slowly entering the river just now and seeking company of the many kelts inhabiting the lower reaches just now.See the forecast for the week shows regular snowfalls.This will hold the fish up and should encourage fish to hang around the deeper slower pools.
Now who is going to produce the first springer of the year on the Dee?
Park,Crathes,Kingcaussie,Blairs,Middle Drum,Crathes castle or one of the Blackhall beats??I would think anyone of them can produce on opening day and hope those lucky enough to have a cast on the first of February get a springer.The river is running nice and clear and at a nice fishing height.

It'll have to be pretty cold from now on if the first springer is to come off a beat below Drum. Hopefully it'll be from Maryculter on the 1st

Park/Invery/LC&WD would be my bets

[salar76]

Let's not forget Ballogie - usually something decent from there on the first day!

[Tyne Andrew]

I'll go for an outsider - Aboyne !