River Deveron Residential Spey Casting & Salmon Fishing Courses

3-Day All-Inclusive Masterclass with Ian Gordon | Waterside Lodge & Deveronside Fishings

Experience a premier Scottish sporting break combining masterclass double-handed casting tuition, private fishing, and traditional Highland lodge hospitality. Based at the private Waterside Lodge on the River Deveron, this 3-day all-inclusive residential course provides an immersive alternative to single-day tuition, giving you the time and water to absorb, practice, and refine your technique without information overload

These three-day Salmon Fishing experiences, fully hosted by Ian Gordon, blend casting and fishing instruction with Ian's extensive knowledge of salmon fishing in Scotland. From the history of fly fishing to the region's connections with the whisky industry, enjoy a cultural and historical journey with one of Scotland's most knowledgeable salmon fishing guides and storytellers.

Experience casting and fishing at Deveronside Fishing in stunning private surroundings. After a rewarding day on the River Spey, unwind with Ian over a dram at Waterside Lodge, discussing tackle, techniques, or simply soaking in the highland culture while listening to tales of big salmon caught and lost. Ian will keep you entertained throughout the three days, providing top-notch casting and fishing tuition. Breakfasts will be prepared by Ian at 8 am, with lunches and evening meals served in the lodge.

2027 Course Dates & Current Availability

Location: Waterside Lodge, Deveronside Fishings, River Deveron

Group Size: Strictly limited to 4–6 rods per course to guarantee intensive, personal instruction.

3rd – 5th May 2027: 4 Rods Available
6th – 8th May 2027: 2 Rods Available
13th – 15th May 2027: 1 Rod Available

These residential weeks fill quickly each season. To reserve an open rod or register for early notifications on new dates, contact Ian directly.

Deveron Courses

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Spey casting coaching on the River Deveron with Ian Gordon at Waterside Lodge

The Deveronside Experience: Private Water & Waterside Lodge

Deveronside Fishing offers 6 miles of private double-bank water reserved for just 6 rods. Late April and early May mark the arrival of fresh spring Atlantic salmon pushing into the middle reaches, alongside the River Deveron's renowned wild brown trout.

The Lodge: Waterside Lodge features 3 double bedrooms and 2 twin bedrooms, each with an en-suite or private bathroom. Non-fishing partners sharing a room are warmly welcomed for an additional fee.
Dining & Hospitality: Start each day with a full breakfast prepared by Ian at 8:00 AM, head out to the river with fresh lunches, and return in the evening for dinner prepared by our private chef.
Evenings at the Lodge: Unwind over a dram to review the day's footage, discuss tackle dynamics, and share tales of great fish with one of Scotland's most experienced ghillies and raconteurs.
Dog Policy: Dogs are not permitted in the main lodge, but on-site kennels are provided, and dogs are welcome in the Annexe.

Course Format & Teaching Methodology

Unlike rapid one-to-one casting lessons where information overload can set in quickly, our 3-day residential structure balances direct coaching with relaxed, unhurried water time:

Rotational 1-on-1 Guidance: You fish each pool solo or in pairs under the guidance of expert ghillie Carl and Ian. Ian rotates through the beat, spending dedicated 15–20 minute coaching blocks with each angler throughout the day.
Targeted Tackle Setup: The Deveron is ideal for modern switch and short double-handed rods (11'0" to 13'6"). We optimize your rod, reel, and line balance right on the water.
Practice on Real Water: Every demonstration is followed by hours of actual fishing, allowing newly learned mechanics to settle into muscle memory naturally.

What You Will Master

Core Casting Mechanics

The "Ian Gordon Style": Generating high line speed, crisp turnover, and effortless power transfer with minimal physical fatigue.
Versatile Spey Casts: Single Spey, Double Spey, Snake Roll, and Circle C (Snap-T).
Opposite-Shoulder Mastery: Overcoming awkward winds by casting comfortably off both shoulders.
Sinking Lines & Tips: Mechanics for lifting, managing, and delivering sinking tips and weighted flies cleanly.
Self-Diagnosis: Learning how to identify and correct your own casting faults on the water.

Rivercraft & Salmon Tactics

Robert & Andrea

Thank you, Ian, for all these wonderful years, for your patience, your help, and for making every trip such a memorable experience. We feel very lucky to have met you and to share so many great days on the river with you.

Here’s to many more happy days, great fishing, and plenty of laughs together at Castle Grant! One of the things that makes me especially happy is that you taught my wife how to fly fish, too. She’s become a really good angler in her own right, absolutely loves it, and continues to learn and improve every time we’re out on the water together.

Gary Bate

I attended my first Ian Gordon casting and fishing course last season (2026) on the Spey at Castle Grant. It was both informative with clear and precise instruction but also fun on a beautiful beat of the Spey.

So much so that I am booked in for 2027!

Julian Narin

I joined one of Ian’s spring casting courses. I am not a regular fisherman and I needed coaching to improve and develop my casting. The course was very well organised, the casting coaching was outstanding and it was very enjoyable. It helped me enormously.

Reading the River: How to approach pools, identify resting lies, and adapt your swing to early-season water heights.
Hooking & Landing: Line tension, strike mechanics, and playing fish safely in running water.
Tackle Rigging: Leader setups, knot tying, and fly selection tailored to early-season Deveron salmon and specimen trout.