Fishing on Speyside The River Spey runs for over 100 miles from source to sea. It is the fastest flowing river in Europe and falls 1100 feet over it's course. It is perfectly suited to fly fishing for salmon. Fish can be taken anywhere along it's course but the serious fishing begins as the river reaches Aviemore. Not only does the main river offer a great variety of fishing but a number of tributaries, in particular the Rivers Avon and Dulnain, are excellent salmon rivers in their own right.The cost of fishing varies tremendously according to the beat you are fishing and the time of year. The river has some of the best Association water fishing available in Scotland. This is very reasonably priced and you are always in with a chance of a fish right from the first day of the season. In contrast some of the cream of the fishing, say Arndilly in May or Tulchan in July, can be expensive. There is something for everyone.The Spey has a massive catchment, draining huge areas of the Monadhliath and Cairngorm mountains. It's level, therefore, is influenced by steady snowmelt through to the summer months and low water is rarely a problem. Even when the river runs low in mid summer there will always be a steady run of summer salmon, grilse and sea trout. The Spey takes a while to respond to rainfall and days lost to big spates are few. All this means there is a lot of fishing available, fish are always running and few days are lost to the elements. Check the weather forecast below: The season opens on 11th February and closes on 30th September. Fresh salmon will be spread throughout the system for the opening day of the season. There is always fishing available for those willing to enquire. Please note that access to some middle and lower river beats is limited due to regular tenancy and timeshare ownership. It is, however, always worth enquiring at the local tackle shop to check on last minute availability.The following are always very helpful with advice and information on available Speyside fishing and they hold an excellent selection of salmon fishing gear:
Mortimers, 3 High St, Grantown on Spey Tel 01479 872684JAJ
Munro, 93-95 High St, Aberlour Tel 01340 871428JAJ Munro, 63 South St, Elgin Tel 01343 552653
The Spey can be divided into 3 sections for the benefit of orientation with respect to it's fishing beats.UPPER SPEY (Source to Boat of Garten)Aviemore Angling Association3½ miles single bank fishingMust be resident in Aviemore
Speyside sports64 Grampian RdAviemoreTel 01479 810656
Kincardine and Kinchurdy beats2½ miles double bank fishing in rotation - 5 rods (Kincardine now in private ownership) Strathspey estatesHeathfieldGrantown on SpeyTel 01479 872529
Seafield Lodge HotelGrantown on SpeyTel 01479 872152
Abernethy Angling Association6 miles double bank fishing AllensDeshar Rd Boat of GartenTel 01479 831372
MIDDLE SPEY (Grantown to Aberlour)Grantown on Spey Association Water5½ miles double bank fishing12 miles on River Dulnainplus 1¼ miles Upper Castle Grant on Thur, Fri, Sat. Mortimers3 High StGrantown on SpeyTel 01479 872684
Castle Grant and Upper Castle Grant5½ miles double bank fishing split into 3 beatsprivate use of Upper Castle Grant Mon, Tue, Wed.Accommodation available at Kinveachy Lodgeor Inverallan house. Strathspey estatesHeathfieldGrantown on SpeyTel 01479 872529
Tulchan fishings8 miles double bank fishing split into 4 beatsAccommodation at Tulchan Lodge or estate cottages Tulchan Sporting EstatesEstate officeTulchan LodgeAdvieGrantown on SpeyTel 01807 510200
Ballindalloch3 miles double bank fishing let with Marionburgh house Ballindalloch EstateBallindallochTel 01807 500205
Pitchroy3 miles double bank fishing
Knockando5 miles double bank fishing R&R Urquhart Solicitors117-121 High St, ForresMorayshire, IV36 OABTel 01309 672216
Carron and LagganDouble bank fishing in delightful scenery(Laggan now timeshared) Bidwells, Etive House,Beechwood ParkInverness IV2 3BWTel 01463 715585
DelagyleSingle bank fishing 1½ miles Savills, 12 Clerk St,Brechin, Angus, DD9 6AE Tel 01356 622187
Wester Elchies Timeshare ownership
LOWER SPEY (Aberlour to Spey bay)Aberlour Association WaterExcellent value mid-river fishing.A good high water beat JAJ Munro, 93-95 High St,Aberlour, Banffshire, AB38 9PB.Tel 01340 871428
The Dowans Hotel, Aberlour, BanffshireTel 01340 871488
Craigellachie Timeshare ownership
Easter Elchies Bidwells, Etive House, Beechwood ParkInverness IV2 3BWTel 01463 715585
Rothes and Aikenway Bidwells, Etive House, Beechwood ParkInverness IV2 3BWTel 01463 715585
Arndilly Bidwells, Etive House, Beechwood ParkInverness IV2 3BWTel 01463 715585
Delfur Bidwells, Etive House, Beechwood ParkInverness IV2 3BWTel 01463 715585
Brae Water and Gordon CastleThis water is excellent in summer and gets fresh fish throughout the season. The Gordon Lennox EstateEstate officeGordon CastleFochabersMoray, IV32 7PQTel 01343 820244
Fochabers AssociationAlmost 3 miles of fishing on daily or weekly basis Tackle and Guns91 High St, FochabersMoray IV32 7DHTel 01343 820327
RIVER AVONThe River Avon is the Spey's main tributary. It rises in Loch Avon in the lee of Cairngorm mountain and flows some 40 miles to join the Spey at Ballindalloch. The Avon water runs cool and clear and attracts a good run of Salmon and Seatrout from April onward.Inchrory estatesAbout 20 miles of water on the upper Avon under private ownership. This is an important spawning area for Spey and Avon salmon.
Crown EstatesTomintoul Angling AssociationOne and a half miles of right bank fishing The Post OfficeTomintoul
Crown EstatesStrathavon Farmers Angling AssociationTwo miles of double bank fishing Rods available to B+B or self catering guests of farmer members.
Crown EstatesDeskie beatA 2 rod fly only beat leased by the hotel Minmore House HotelGlenlivetBanffshireTel 01807 590 378
Ballindalloch Estate WaterExcellent double bank fishing on the lower 6 miles to the junction with the Spey and 1½ miles single bank day ticket fishing above this. Ballindalloch EstateBallindallochTel 01807 500205
The prime time is late April/ Early May for Salmon July for grilse.
personally I would fish early May. If I had unlimited money I would fish Tulcan but it is expensive. I'm fishing there end of March when it's cheaper.
The association water at Grantown is good value as is the Town water at Aberlour if you have any questions send me a [private message and I'll see what I can set up.
Malcolm