The run of multi sea winter [MSW] fish continued throughout the whole month and anglers visiting during July have been pleasantly surprised to find the river full of those fish ranging from 10 - 20lbs.   Those are the fish on which the Spey and other Scottish rivers build their reputation, hard fighting solid MSW bars of silver.   Looking closely at what has happened over the past couple of years, it looks very much like, not only the Spey, but most other rivers are going through a period of “noticeable “ change, with the main cohort [type of fish entering the river] being, not Grilse, but MSW fish.   Or that may just be wishful thinking on my behalf; a nice thought never the less!

There is no doubt that July 2011 will be remembered as the summer of big fish along with higher and more sporadic water conditions.   I say sporadic because, certainly at the beginning of the month, due to extremely heavy showers the river proved to be very unsettled. Having said this, the inclement Scottish Weather, I believe, play’s a huge part in the fact we have such good salmon fishing anyway and MSW fish are undoubtedly easier to catch when you have more water in the river.   This theory seemed to play out this year when at the beginning of August, the fish, of which there are a great deal throughout the whole river, went right off the take. One day Salmon can be so easy to catch, and the next, they will frustrate even the most determined and experienced fisherman!   Mind you, for those with patience and time, the switch will again be thrown, and for whatever reason and when present in great numbers it’s as if they will fight to get at your fly. Strange Beasts! 

The evening of 7th August saw the low water conditions broken by two full days of rain leading to a 6 feet spate on the 8th.   By the 9th we were back in business, with the river running at just over 2 feet and tea coloured the salmon switch was pressed and all those fish which a week before would not look at a fly, suddenly were on the take.   I personally was delighted to have two fish within 20 minutes whilst trying some new fly-lines on my 15 foot Grant Vibration Greenheart rod, I have to say, lovely, if very heavy rod to run fish on.   The pool had been quiet all day and I was lucky to be there just at the right time, or, possibly, it could have been my fly which I call “Rosy” after my Daughters middle name, a modern variation of the Garry Dog, and the fly I always use to very good effect when fishing in Tea Coloured water.   Both here and on the Dee the previous day it came up trumps in those conditions. 

With the exception of only one or two beats, the river has fished well, from Gordon Castle to Castle Grant, those quality fish have made the fishing exceptional and with the average size of fish caught on the fly 11 or so pounds, similar or bigger to that of most popular Norwegian Rivers at this time. 

Who says lightning never strikes twice! Anna Morris first fish on Kinermony, netted by her brother Jack, who himself caught his first on the same beat during the same week last year. I’m sure next year will have something special lined up for the Morris Family during their visit to this lovely middle beat. 

First ever salmon are always special and over the years I have seen so many smiling faces peering from behind sparkling salmon.   The Spey, although a fairly large river, especially in the summer and early autumn months, lends itself well to beginners. Its character of mainly gravel pools and fast running streams, under the guidance of the many very good Ghillies, mean both wading and fishing can be done with ease, enjoyment and safety.   Many beats also have boats which help on those pools which may be a little more tricky to wade.   A combination of the above played its part in Rebecca Chesmore, Bumble Taylor, Thomas Boulton, and Anna Morris all with a lasting memory of their first ever salmon being caught on the Spey.

September Prospects –
Will the Grilse arrive? This is the question on the lips of most people on the Spey and indeed other rivers around Scotland at the moment.   Ever the optimist, I remain confident that September will prove to be a very good month on the Spey.   I’m sure those fishing the upper river will have fun with those good numbers of fish already in the river, whilst those fortunate to fish the lower river will have some of the best sport seen in years.   I have my good reason for thinking this but unfortunately too much for this column.   Those fishing the upper river should not be afraid to go very small. Given very similar conditions, with lots of early running fish, I remember one September the only thing fish would take was a size 12 double with only a piece of Jungle Cock and nothing else.   By the same token, if you have frost or a small rise, do not be afraid to go big and down at this time too.

Ian Gordon
Speycaster