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Salmon Fishing in Scotland River Don
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O.S. Map 37,
38
The upper
course of the River Don, rising in the Grampian mountains, is steep
and the river flows quickly through wooded slopes, joined on the way
by a number of tributaries. Some way below Alford, the gradient
slows and the Don flows from this point more sedately through more
gentle farmland, providing some of the best trout fishing in the
country. At Inverurie, the Don is joined by the Urie, its most
important tributary and one with a reputation for sea trout. Some 16
miles further on, the Don enters the North Sea at Bridge of Don just
to the north of Aberdeen.
To view a larger scale map of a particular
section of the River Don, click on a selected area of the maps below. |
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Upper River Don - Fishing Map
click on map to select an area to
enlarge
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The maps on this website have been
reproduced with the permission of Collins Bartholomew.
Please note that these maps may date back several decades.
Much of the human detail will have changed but the character of the rivers and
lochs, and the trout and salmon in them, will be much the same as they have
always been.
In addition to the information provided
here, I would recommend that anyone planning a fishing or
walking trip in Scotland should equip themselves with a compass
and the appropriate Ordnance Survey map. The most useful of the
O.S. maps for the fisherman is the Landranger series, scale
1:50,000. For each of the lochs and rivers listed here, I have given the
relevant O.S. Map number. See Ordnance
Survey Maps. |
Middle River Don - Fishing Map
click on map to select an area to
enlarge
Lower River Don - Fishing Map
click on map to select an area to
enlarge
Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing on the River Don
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The Don has retained
a bit of a spring run of salmon, with the early catches taken mainly
from the lower river by both fly and spinner. During the summer and
autumn, salmon and grilse can be encountered throughout the river, with
the upper beats most productive in September and October. Sea trout
provide sport through the summer months. There are in excess of sixty beats on
the river, many of them available to visiting anglers, either by the day
or week. Upwards of 1000 salmon can be taken in a season
and
a salmon permit will cost anywhere between £15 and £80 depending on beat
and time of year.
Trout Fishing
The upper river,
while producing fewer salmon than the lower beats, excels in the quality
of its brown trout fishing. The upper beats from Alford down to Monymusk
providing some excellent and varied fly water. Trout of around 2 pounds,
and sometimes, bigger, are regularly caught. Dry fly fishing in May and
June can be very productive. Brown trout fishing is available for around
£10 per day. |

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For more information on fishing on the River Don, see:
FishDon |
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