As September was drawing to a close it became apparent that the now numerous fish in the river were determined to stay well clear of any fly.  Even the last chance saloon and normally invincible “Sunray” proved to be useless during a month which ended with the warmest spell of weather ever recorded at this time of the year.   “Extreme”, was actually a good way to describe the month! Rain, which had frustrated many anglers during august, continued to fall almost every day during the first 3 weeks of the month, leaving the river unsettled, but more importantly, extremely dirty!

It is well documented that salmon do not cope well with sustained periods of dirty peaty water, particularly when also heavy with silt.   Whilst some would say this is natural, in fact, at those levels, it’s far from natural.   It is in fact, a direct by-product of man’s interference with the natural structure of the upper and middle catchment.   Unfortunately this is something which will take a long time to repair so in the mean time, during periods of sustained high water we will just have to put up with affects.

So, is there anything we can do to make fish take during such conditions?   Well, apart from bumping the fly on the nose of the fish, I think not.   Low numbers of fish caught on fly during the month would suggest the fly is far from the best method.   However, it would seem the more metal you have in the lure, the better its performance in those conditions!   

Rods fishing the Grantown Association Water had a very good time throughout September, with most visiting anglers heading home in a happy frame of mind having caught a fish or two.   That is of course, those who happened to be spinning! Rods fishing Castle Grant also had a good time throughout the month with some respectable catches, and, it has to be said some very good sized fish.   

So, whilst the thrust of this report usually focuses on the lower and middle part of the river, the part that is “Fly Only”, this time I would like to focus on those who are allowed to use what is a perfectly legal method, and one which in terms of conservation, allows the angler to play and return fish much quicker than with any fly rod.   I must stress here that estates and associations which do allow spinning do not allow the use of multi hook lures and ask those fishing to follow the SFB conservation policy.   There is no doubt, in those conditions, a Toby or Blair Spoon will provide the angler with sport the fly will not, three fish of over 30lbs landed by three very happy anglers in the Grantown area during September is testimony to that. 

The whole “fly/spinning” debate is interesting, and I have to say, as a fly fisherman and ghillie, I explore every avenue to try and put my guests onto fish.   When the chips are down and fish hard to catch, every trick in the book is used; flies, lines, boats, everything legal; so, if double bank and not impacting on any other angler, then why not spinning?   Personally I don’t have spinning gear, but know and respect a great many that do and enjoy this as part of their days fishing.   

To the absolute purists I would say, put the boot on the other foot. How would you feel if some, body of people, without good reason, decided to try and ban Fly-fishing?   I know how I would feel about this!   Like all good management of salmon fishing, regulation is what’s needed.

Based on conditions, the leading figure, be it the factor or head ghillie, makes the decision on a daily basis.   Everyone now has phones so this should be very simple!   Historically on all four big rivers, most spring and autumn fish were caught spinning with not a fly rod in sight.  

I recently interviewed an elderly gentleman who caught his first fish on Castle Grant in the 1950s.   His was one of 14 fish to the party that day, I asked what fly, he replied, a number 6 Blue Charm.   What about the others?   All on the prawn he replied!   The party he fished with included some of the most famous names in fly fishing, all of whom spun at some time during the day.  

Personally, I just don’t get the whole “Fly only” thing, particularly on a double bank fishery.   I just don’t see the point in handicapping yourself for no apparent reason.   What’s next?   “Ban the Sunray”!   Well, there are already those who would like to see this. 

On a positive note of those fish taken on the Spinner at Castle Grant, all, I hear, were safely released and the rod given a side of smoked salmon as a thank you for their contribution to conservation of the stock.   Personally I can only see a win, win here. 

One ghillie who has seen all the changes is Ian Stronach.   After spending his whole lifetime on the Spey, Ian, a great authority on local flora and fauna and wildlife has decided to call it a day and retire.   Ian spent his first 10 years on Upper Arndilly and the last 40 on the Brae Water.   Like so many Spey Ghillies, his passion for the river and all the creatures reliant on it grew with time, ending with knowledge and understanding of the subject second to that of no one.   I have always thought ghillies with such experience should write a book because all too often this is done by much less qualified people and ends as sub standard work.   Ian was presented with a long service certificate and thank you gift of a leaping salmon from all at Gordon Castle. 

It looks like the season will have finished a little down on last year but with many more MSW fish.   I will have an update on this in Next month’s report.   

Finally, the SFB have appointed a new Biologist.   Brian Shaw was born in Grantown-on-Spey in 1963 and spent twenty years in the fish farming industry before moving to the Ayrshire Rivers Trust five years ago.   A keen angler with experience of fishing the Spey, he has always wanted to return to his roots and is thoroughly looking forward to joining the Spey Foundation at the beginning of the year. 

Ian Gordon
Speycaster