Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Sunday, 15 June 2014
Week 22 & 23
It seems since the rise we lost most of our residents and are reliant on new fish coming in and stopping. Although there were few salmon caught the sea-trout have been giving us some good sport in both during the day and the evenings.
Week 22 Tim Brentwood landed a lively sea trout from Browns Hole and his son Sam, fished hard into the night and was rewarded with his first Dee Sea-trout, the evenings can be a magical time and well worth going out.
The water came up to 3'5" and colored which slowed things down for us, although we did see fish in the first pool in the Tanar-burn hiding from the torrent of water coming down stream. We couldn't get at them very easily so Sam and I took the saw out and cleared a stretch. We unfortunately didn't manage to get one this time, but I know where I will be looking next time we have a good spate!
Needless to say they had gone by the following day.
Richard Eeley landed a grilse of 5lb from Tanarmouth for the Craigendinnie rods, but it was the sea-trout which gave the sport. A total of 6 Sea-trout and a Salmon for the week, disappointing but enjoyable. Hopefully the salmon will arrive with the extra water.
Week 23 was unfortunately yet another tough week but the party was great fun. The water was a little colored all week which didn't bode well, its strange to me that the Dee salmon definitely don't like the colored water whereas in most Scottish rivers it is the norm.
We had showers all week but nothing to rise the water dramatically until Saturday, Nick Spaven broke our duck on Thursday with a cracking 10lb'r from Tanarmouth, and Jane Spaven followed this up with a sea-trout from the Lorne. On Friday we had a little action in Symonds no hook up but some great boils and follows to the hitch fly, fishing the hitch is something that always gets my adrenalin going!
We christened the new Craigendinnie hut with an evening of Johnathan's famous paella, cold white wine and great company!
On Friday night it rained hard and by Saturday the river was big and colored, despite the tough conditions, Jane winkled out a sea-trout from Tanarmouth with her new found speycasting skills, and the Craigendinnie rods had some great sport catching 3 from Jockie Fyfe.
On Saturday evening Chris caught a 3lb grilse and and 8lb salmon, again from Tanarmouth. Another tough fishing week but everyone was great company and we had some sport toward the end.
It seems Tanarmouth is starting to produce fish on the lower beat, I'm hopeful it will start filling up with a few residents. Again, this time of year the evenings are fishing well and worth the effort to go out.
With a little luck Saturdays spate brought some fish through to us and they will start holding.
As ever, I am optimistic for next week!
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Week 22 Tim Brentwood landed a lively sea trout from Browns Hole and his son Sam, fished hard into the night and was rewarded with his first Dee Sea-trout, the evenings can be a magical time and well worth going out.
The water came up to 3'5" and colored which slowed things down for us, although we did see fish in the first pool in the Tanar-burn hiding from the torrent of water coming down stream. We couldn't get at them very easily so Sam and I took the saw out and cleared a stretch. We unfortunately didn't manage to get one this time, but I know where I will be looking next time we have a good spate!
Needless to say they had gone by the following day.
Richard Eeley landed a grilse of 5lb from Tanarmouth for the Craigendinnie rods, but it was the sea-trout which gave the sport. A total of 6 Sea-trout and a Salmon for the week, disappointing but enjoyable. Hopefully the salmon will arrive with the extra water.
Week 23 was unfortunately yet another tough week but the party was great fun. The water was a little colored all week which didn't bode well, its strange to me that the Dee salmon definitely don't like the colored water whereas in most Scottish rivers it is the norm.
We had showers all week but nothing to rise the water dramatically until Saturday, Nick Spaven broke our duck on Thursday with a cracking 10lb'r from Tanarmouth, and Jane Spaven followed this up with a sea-trout from the Lorne. On Friday we had a little action in Symonds no hook up but some great boils and follows to the hitch fly, fishing the hitch is something that always gets my adrenalin going!
We christened the new Craigendinnie hut with an evening of Johnathan's famous paella, cold white wine and great company!
On Friday night it rained hard and by Saturday the river was big and colored, despite the tough conditions, Jane winkled out a sea-trout from Tanarmouth with her new found speycasting skills, and the Craigendinnie rods had some great sport catching 3 from Jockie Fyfe.
On Saturday evening Chris caught a 3lb grilse and and 8lb salmon, again from Tanarmouth. Another tough fishing week but everyone was great company and we had some sport toward the end.
It seems Tanarmouth is starting to produce fish on the lower beat, I'm hopeful it will start filling up with a few residents. Again, this time of year the evenings are fishing well and worth the effort to go out.
With a little luck Saturdays spate brought some fish through to us and they will start holding.
As ever, I am optimistic for next week!
Thursday, 5 June 2014
Week 21
Not as a productive week this week. It seems Glen Shee caught the edge of the rain in Perth and the river came up on Monday which continued to rise through Tuesday. The fish that had been in our beat appeared to have moved on and we struggled to make any contact for most of the week. The Craigendinnie rods managed to keep our numbers up with two fish caught in Tanar Mouth on the Friday. A 16lb'r and a 14lb'r which was well deserved in a tough week.
On the plus side we did make contact with a lot of smoults which seem to be in healthy numbers, lets hope that's a positive sign for the future.
Nonetheless an enjoyable week and the sea trout numbers seem to be rising down river so we may be in for some evening sport in next week/
On the plus side we did make contact with a lot of smoults which seem to be in healthy numbers, lets hope that's a positive sign for the future.
Nonetheless an enjoyable week and the sea trout numbers seem to be rising down river so we may be in for some evening sport in next week/
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Week 20, Top Dogs again!
Last week was another productive week for Aboyne Castle rods.
Low water, bright conditions weren't enough to stop this weeks rod's catching, we had not seen many fish showing all week but were averaging 2 a day!
The Norman party took Waterside & Ferrar and Aboyne Castle for the week, a great party with lots of laughs! Monday started fish less for us and we didn't see a lot which didn't bode well.
However by Tuesday Harvey got us off the mark with a 4lb fresh grilse from Upper Plantation, and Alex landed a nice sea trout from the Lorne, I'm excited to see if the sea trout will arrive in some numbers this year! I have been hard at the vice with some sea trout killers!
Peter Wheelhouse and George had two from crofts on the Tuesday for the Craigendinnie rods, so I was keen to get back to the upper beat.
On Wednesday I had the first view of my beat which I hope to see many more of during the season. As I looked up Crofts on a beautiful day, with the hills in the background and both of my rods playing a fish! There's no better feeling as a Ghillie!
Thursday we continued the success with Mike Stevens landing the first fish of the season from Lower Fontie and Richard breaking his duck with a cracking 16lb'r from Tanarmouth!
Friday and Saturday we continued to land fish from Jockie Fyfe, Jim Norman landed a nice 6lbr from Crofts and another for Micheal Trafford from the Lorne of the Saturday.
A successful week, and Aboyne Castle rods were yet again top on the river!
Lets hope next week we can keep it up. The water has been dropping steadily and i'm sure a little rise soon won't go amiss. Next week has forecast showers and easterlies which isn't ideal but I as ever remain optimistic!
Thursday we continued the success with Mike Stevens landing the first fish of the season from Lower Fontie and Richard breaking his duck with a cracking 16lb'r from Tanarmouth!
Friday and Saturday we continued to land fish from Jockie Fyfe, Jim Norman landed a nice 6lbr from Crofts and another for Micheal Trafford from the Lorne of the Saturday.
A successful week, and Aboyne Castle rods were yet again top on the river!
Lets hope next week we can keep it up. The water has been dropping steadily and i'm sure a little rise soon won't go amiss. Next week has forecast showers and easterlies which isn't ideal but I as ever remain optimistic!
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Week 19 Top Beat!
Last week was one to remember for me on the beat so far this season.
The water height on Monday was 1"5' and due to fall all week, so after last weeks rise and no rain forecast I was sure this week we were going to see salmon in some numbers.
Nick Marriner and Andrew Robertson who have both fished here for over 30 years were my rods for the beginning of the week, I had Nick two weeks before who spurred me on to open up the New Pool so I was keen to learn some more of his secret spots!
Monday started pretty average, we were seeing a few fish in Crofts and Symonds but couldnt seem to induce a take, wee doubles and floating lines were the choice, that failing we tried a sink tip etc but to no avail. Nonetheless it was encouraging to see a few more fish about and we were optimistic!
On Tuesday we were out of it a little on the lower beat, whilst George and his rods on Craigendinnie had a cracking morning with two fish landed from Crofts and one lost from Jockie Fyfe.
We had touched one in the Lorne but all seemed a little quiet on the bottom beat until 5:00pm when Andrew managed to winkle one out of the Lorne. A fish of about 4lb's.
So with the duck broken we were eager for Wednesday to start with the water at 1"2'; 50F (perfect) and us back among the fish!
Andrew started off the morning with a flying start, 3 fish from Crofts on the first run down!! A real mixed bag with a sea liced Grilse, a Fresh 6 lb salmon and a slightly coloured 7lb'r. There had obviously been a movement of fish from the middle river. Nick in the afternoon landed a spanking fresh 10lb spirnger from Symonds! The phone rings and George has a salmon and sea trout to book in for Aboyne Castle bank from Browns Hole.
This was Andrew's last day and one of the best mornings he has had on this beat in a few years so a great way to finish the 3 day trip! Nick Still had a day to bring the Tally up, which he proceeded to do in style!
Thursday morning, Nick landed a 6lb'r from the Lorne before heading up to Plantation, he has caught the first fish of the season from plantation for 3 years on the trot and wasn't going to let us down this year, by the time lunch time had arrived he had two fish from the tail of Upper Plantation!
Before leaving on the Friday he called with yet another to book in from Crofts the evening before! Actively following Fishpal with Crathes not far behind, our two rod beat was in the lead! Something I must admit I wasn't expecting to happen in my first season.
All good things must come to an end as the old adage goes, and it seemed by Friday the fish had moved on through and things went very quiet. A real shame for Tom and his Micheal who fished for the last 3 days but hopefully next year they will be among the fish aswell.
It seems the Upper Dee is starting to perform a little better now, I'm sure not like many of you will remember from the good old days, but for a young green Ghillie to the Dee like me it is certainly nice to get my net wet a little more.
It seems floating lines and wee black doubles are doing the trick, size 12 - 14. and the evenings are definitely worth a cast!
I am hopeful for next week and confident that if they are there we will catch a few!
Not many pictures this week so just a couple of wildlife shots.
The water height on Monday was 1"5' and due to fall all week, so after last weeks rise and no rain forecast I was sure this week we were going to see salmon in some numbers.
Nick Marriner and Andrew Robertson who have both fished here for over 30 years were my rods for the beginning of the week, I had Nick two weeks before who spurred me on to open up the New Pool so I was keen to learn some more of his secret spots!
Monday started pretty average, we were seeing a few fish in Crofts and Symonds but couldnt seem to induce a take, wee doubles and floating lines were the choice, that failing we tried a sink tip etc but to no avail. Nonetheless it was encouraging to see a few more fish about and we were optimistic!
On Tuesday we were out of it a little on the lower beat, whilst George and his rods on Craigendinnie had a cracking morning with two fish landed from Crofts and one lost from Jockie Fyfe.
We had touched one in the Lorne but all seemed a little quiet on the bottom beat until 5:00pm when Andrew managed to winkle one out of the Lorne. A fish of about 4lb's.
So with the duck broken we were eager for Wednesday to start with the water at 1"2'; 50F (perfect) and us back among the fish!
Andrew started off the morning with a flying start, 3 fish from Crofts on the first run down!! A real mixed bag with a sea liced Grilse, a Fresh 6 lb salmon and a slightly coloured 7lb'r. There had obviously been a movement of fish from the middle river. Nick in the afternoon landed a spanking fresh 10lb spirnger from Symonds! The phone rings and George has a salmon and sea trout to book in for Aboyne Castle bank from Browns Hole.
This was Andrew's last day and one of the best mornings he has had on this beat in a few years so a great way to finish the 3 day trip! Nick Still had a day to bring the Tally up, which he proceeded to do in style!
Thursday morning, Nick landed a 6lb'r from the Lorne before heading up to Plantation, he has caught the first fish of the season from plantation for 3 years on the trot and wasn't going to let us down this year, by the time lunch time had arrived he had two fish from the tail of Upper Plantation!
Before leaving on the Friday he called with yet another to book in from Crofts the evening before! Actively following Fishpal with Crathes not far behind, our two rod beat was in the lead! Something I must admit I wasn't expecting to happen in my first season.
All good things must come to an end as the old adage goes, and it seemed by Friday the fish had moved on through and things went very quiet. A real shame for Tom and his Micheal who fished for the last 3 days but hopefully next year they will be among the fish aswell.
It seems the Upper Dee is starting to perform a little better now, I'm sure not like many of you will remember from the good old days, but for a young green Ghillie to the Dee like me it is certainly nice to get my net wet a little more.
It seems floating lines and wee black doubles are doing the trick, size 12 - 14. and the evenings are definitely worth a cast!
I am hopeful for next week and confident that if they are there we will catch a few!
Not many pictures this week so just a couple of wildlife shots.
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Top Beat!!
Couldn't resist...... Yesterday and today saw Aboyne Castle as the top beat on the Dee!! The fish seem to be here in a few numbers now! I hope they are going to stay around for a while. For just a two rod beat I must admit I'm chuffed to bits and very proud of my rods!
Week 18
Last week started promising, fish were seen in most pools in the upper beat, the river at 1"4' and 50'F.
Eric Wardle (Craigendinnie rod) landed a 6lb fish from Tanarmouth on the Monday. Unfortunately the river rose and things went a little quiet on the beat, fish were reported up stream but seemed to keep their heads down.
Wednesday morning, the river was up and coloured, Richard landed a 7lb'r from Symonds on a Park Shrimp Conehead with a sink tip, followed by his father David who lost another. By Thursday we were at 1"9' and falling, another fish from Symonds was caught by Richard Franklin who had just joined the party a beauty 10lb fresh springer from Symonds, Craigendinie bank.
This week was testing to say the least with the water up and down, which kept the fish moving on through, Richard managed to move a fish in the New Pool which has now been opened up as a high water pool, and lost another in Lower Fontie. Craigendinnie rod Robert Hall Jones caught another fish from Symonds in the evening.
This week saw the first fish from Symonds on the Aboyne Castle bank, and I'm sure the first of many!
A thoroughly enjoyable week with lots of laughs and some exploring new waters, despite the unfortunate rise which pushed fish down the perseverance payed off with 4 on the bank and others lost.
I am very optimistic for next week, with no rain forecast the river should be dropping nicely, and fish moving upriver watch this space!
Eric Wardle (Craigendinnie rod) landed a 6lb fish from Tanarmouth on the Monday. Unfortunately the river rose and things went a little quiet on the beat, fish were reported up stream but seemed to keep their heads down.
Wednesday morning, the river was up and coloured, Richard landed a 7lb'r from Symonds on a Park Shrimp Conehead with a sink tip, followed by his father David who lost another. By Thursday we were at 1"9' and falling, another fish from Symonds was caught by Richard Franklin who had just joined the party a beauty 10lb fresh springer from Symonds, Craigendinie bank.
This week was testing to say the least with the water up and down, which kept the fish moving on through, Richard managed to move a fish in the New Pool which has now been opened up as a high water pool, and lost another in Lower Fontie. Craigendinnie rod Robert Hall Jones caught another fish from Symonds in the evening.
This week saw the first fish from Symonds on the Aboyne Castle bank, and I'm sure the first of many!
A thoroughly enjoyable week with lots of laughs and some exploring new waters, despite the unfortunate rise which pushed fish down the perseverance payed off with 4 on the bank and others lost.
I am very optimistic for next week, with no rain forecast the river should be dropping nicely, and fish moving upriver watch this space!
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Week 17
Last week certainly saw more fish moving up river with the fish pal catches showing a general move to the upper Dee. The river height started relatively high at 1'9" on the gauge, dropping nicely, with a small rise on Wednesday due to rain and melt then continuing to drop throughout the week.
We Landed 5 fish in total between the Craigendinnie and Aboyne castle banks. A much better week than what we have been having, the majority of fish were caught on floating lines with sink tips and Monkey flies. Although as the water temperature pushed up to 50F we were trying smaller doubles and floating lines as well.
Karlheinz landed the first fish this season of about 8lb's from Tanarmouth, (about time!) which took quite a large monkey on a hover intermediate with a slow sink tip. Jense had a nice 6lb'r from crofts, AC bank.
Craigendinnie rods landed one from the Lorne pool AC bank and two from crofts, one was a beauty of 18lbs!! All of the fish on crofts were caught well down the pool at the fence and below, they seem to like it down there at the moment!
So a much better week than previous but they still seem to be a little tricky to catch. With mild temperatures and only showers next week, I'm hoping we will start getting some residents building up in the pools. We will be moving on to floating lines and doubles now with water temperatures rising, although worth keeping some sink tips or intermediate lines handy. Keep ringing the changes.
Here are a few pics taken during the week.
Please feel free to visit our Alastair and myself's new Facebook page TwinPeake's Media which will include fly fishing media from royal Dee side.
We Landed 5 fish in total between the Craigendinnie and Aboyne castle banks. A much better week than what we have been having, the majority of fish were caught on floating lines with sink tips and Monkey flies. Although as the water temperature pushed up to 50F we were trying smaller doubles and floating lines as well.
Karlheinz landed the first fish this season of about 8lb's from Tanarmouth, (about time!) which took quite a large monkey on a hover intermediate with a slow sink tip. Jense had a nice 6lb'r from crofts, AC bank.
Craigendinnie rods landed one from the Lorne pool AC bank and two from crofts, one was a beauty of 18lbs!! All of the fish on crofts were caught well down the pool at the fence and below, they seem to like it down there at the moment!
So a much better week than previous but they still seem to be a little tricky to catch. With mild temperatures and only showers next week, I'm hoping we will start getting some residents building up in the pools. We will be moving on to floating lines and doubles now with water temperatures rising, although worth keeping some sink tips or intermediate lines handy. Keep ringing the changes.
Here are a few pics taken during the week.
Please feel free to visit our Alastair and myself's new Facebook page TwinPeake's Media which will include fly fishing media from royal Dee side.
Saturday, 3 May 2014
Twin Peake's Media Facebook Page!
TwinPeake's Media facebook page has now launched!
It consists of Fly Fishing, Country Sports and the Great Outdoors video and photography media based on Scotlands River Dee set in Royal Deeside.
Please fell free to like and share.
Week 16
The week started well with on Monday Nick Marriner landed a 5lbr from crofts, below the fence from the Aboyne Castle bank. That's a few fish caught down there now, I'm told usually the upper part is better but at the moment it seems to be producing the odd fish, which in tough times is well received. Mark lost what would have been Tanar Mouth's first fish of the season on the Monday evening
Peter Jensen fishing the Craigendinnie rod had one from Jockie Fyfe on Monday evening and a cracker from Symonds on the Tuesday,both Craigendinnie bank.
So with high spirits and a little relief I thought we would start catching some numbers and that the fish were starting to arrive in some numbers.
Wednesday we had a spate, the water rose and we saw very little for the rest of the week, a little disappointing!
Nonetheless it was a most enjoyable week, making the most of Craigendinnies new hut. I must admit it was nice for me to talk to the likes of Tom Wheelwright and Nick Marriner who have fished here for over 25 years, great to hear their experience of the beat!
Staying ever optimistic, they will arrive in numbers any day now!
P.s apologies the blog is a little behind, on the plus side the new pool is now opened up from the Aboyne Castle bank after Nick said it used to produce fish between 2" and 2"6'. Would be nice to have another higher water pool on the lower beat!
Not to many pictures from this week however Richard Illingworth and I did a little photo shoot of his very well behaved bonnie black lab, I'm sure he wont mind me sharing a couple of action shots.
Peter Jensen fishing the Craigendinnie rod had one from Jockie Fyfe on Monday evening and a cracker from Symonds on the Tuesday,both Craigendinnie bank.
So with high spirits and a little relief I thought we would start catching some numbers and that the fish were starting to arrive in some numbers.
Wednesday we had a spate, the water rose and we saw very little for the rest of the week, a little disappointing!
Nonetheless it was a most enjoyable week, making the most of Craigendinnies new hut. I must admit it was nice for me to talk to the likes of Tom Wheelwright and Nick Marriner who have fished here for over 25 years, great to hear their experience of the beat!
Staying ever optimistic, they will arrive in numbers any day now!
P.s apologies the blog is a little behind, on the plus side the new pool is now opened up from the Aboyne Castle bank after Nick said it used to produce fish between 2" and 2"6'. Would be nice to have another higher water pool on the lower beat!
Not to many pictures from this week however Richard Illingworth and I did a little photo shoot of his very well behaved bonnie black lab, I'm sure he wont mind me sharing a couple of action shots.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
TwinPeake's Media
TwinPeake's Media
I am happy to announce that Alastair and myself are launching TwinPeake's Media!It showcases top quality photography and video media, focusing on Fly Fishing, Country Sports and the Great Outdoors.
Please feel free to contact us for further information on prints and canvas options.
Contact us either via the blog or:
wjpeake88@gmail.com
07814279414
Week 15
Week 15
Another tough week, the water has been at an ideal height all week between 1'5" dropping to 1", although the sun was shining hard all week at times feeling like the height of summer. Plenty of fish were still being caught in the middle river but didn't seem to be moving up in any numbers. Steve and Ola worked hard for the first part of the week with no avail unfortunately however there were some most enjoyable lunches in the sun!
Brian and Sian took over for the second half, Sian's first time fly fishing who picked the casting up very quickly and by the end of the week was casting like a pro!! Again the fish were elusive but i'm confident they should start arriving in numbers any day now!
Another tough week, the water has been at an ideal height all week between 1'5" dropping to 1", although the sun was shining hard all week at times feeling like the height of summer. Plenty of fish were still being caught in the middle river but didn't seem to be moving up in any numbers. Steve and Ola worked hard for the first part of the week with no avail unfortunately however there were some most enjoyable lunches in the sun!
Brian and Sian took over for the second half, Sian's first time fly fishing who picked the casting up very quickly and by the end of the week was casting like a pro!! Again the fish were elusive but i'm confident they should start arriving in numbers any day now!
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Week 14
Week 14 was tough, with easterly winds all week the fishing seemed to be slow although more fish were starting to show however seemed to be running on through and not taking much notice of our flies! Frustrating, but Perserverance payed off for Ross Wheeler who landed his first ever Salmon on the fly! From jockie Fyfe Craigendinnie bank. A great result and a cracking 12lb sealicer!
A good end to the week and to march, having hit our 5 year average lets hope for some more fish to move up and start holding up in the beat.
Next week has given milder weather and westerly winds, will be nice to see the end to those easterly's!
Picture doesn't do it justice. 12lb on the scales.
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Week 13
With a stable river at around 1'6" for most of the week every pool is fishing now! This week was a party which took Commonty, Banchory, aboyne castle and Craigendinnie. 2 fish were landed for AC and Craigendinnie beats, one from crofts on George's bank and the first fish from the Lorne AC bank. There is a gravel build up at the top of the Lorne this year so let's see if it starts producing a few more fish. Another good fish was lost from Symonds. Monkeys did the trick with float and sink tip lines. And most fish seem to be getting caught in the afternoons or evenings. We are at the 5 year average now so another on Monday would do nicely!
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Last cast saloon!!
After a difficult 3 days of seeing no fish showing, high downstream winds and high water it has been testing to say the least. However Gary and Karen persevered and Gary was rewarded with a cracking 8lb spanking fresh bar of silver from crofts at 5:00pm!! A very well deserved fish!!! Let's hope they start playing ball now!!
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Last week...
Well last week the river was like a yo-yo! With rising and falling water we didn't see too many fish, the water dropped away nicely Wednesday and Thursday resulting in Tony landing a nice 7lbr, but with mild temperatures and high winds it was soon back up! A very well deserved fish for Tony, adding it to the craigendinnie numbers.
Let's hope the river settles a bit for next week!
Here's a few pics, who says fishing in March is always cold and wet!
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