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Salmon Fishing in Scotland River Spey
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O.S. Map 28, 36
The River Spey is probably the
most famous salmon river in the World. The Spey rises in the
Monadhliath mountains to the south of Loch Ness and flows 100 miles
northwards to enter the Moray Firth at Spey bay. In its lower
course, downstream of Grantown, it is a fast flowing river,
providing miles of perfect, and highly sought after, fly fishing
water.
To view a larger scale map of a particular
section of the River Spey, click on a selected area of the map below. |
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Lower River Spey - 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 Spey - Fishing Map
click on map to select an area to
enlarge
Upper River Spey - Fishing Map
click on map to select an area to
enlarge
Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing on the River Spey
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It is on the lower half of the Spey that we find the famous beats –
Castle Grant, Tulchan, Balindalloch, Knockando, Carron, Elchies,
Arndilly, Rothes, Delfur and many more, where the cream of Scottish
salmon fly fishing is to be had, by those fortunate enough to have
access to them, in the months of April, May and June.
The annual salmon catch on the river in recent years has been just short
of 10,000 fish. The Spey is also one of the best sea trout rivers in the
country, although the sea trout catch had dipped in recent seasons to
around 2000. The best salmon fly fishing is to be found in the middle
and lower beats, where only those with the ability to wade deeply and
handle a fifteen foot rod effectively will make the most of their
opportunities. The best of the sea trout fishing is to be found in the
upper middle river, upstream of Grantown. The sea trout fishing can also
be excellent on many of the lower beats but, perhaps understandably, the
angler’s sights are firmly fixed on the salmon, while the sea trout are
largely overlooked.
There is a very high demand for rods on the Spey and long term tenants
generally keep a tenacious grip on the best of the fishing. Fortunately,
there are several angling associations on the Spey, who control some
excellent beats, many of them available to the visiting angler. The best known of these are the Strathspey Angling
Improvement Association, based in Grantown, the Abernethy Angling
Association, centred on Boat of Garten, and the Aberlour Angling
Association. It should be noted, however, that, on the Grantown water in
particular, there is a significant, and wholly unjustifiable, price differential between local and
visitor permits.
Brown Trout Fishing
We should not forget that the river
Spey has excellent brown trout fishing throughout its length and, while
salmon take precedence in the lower river, permits for trout fishing are
readily available in the upper reaches (See O.S. Map 35). The upper 13
miles of the Spey, between Loch Inch and Spey Dam, are managed by the
Badenoch Angling Association.
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River
Spey at
Arndilly |
River
Spey at Boat of Garten |
River
Spey at Kinchurdy |
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Angling Clubs and Associations
Strathspey Angling Improvement Association –
Information from:
Mortimers of Speyside, 3 High Street, Grantown on Spey.
Abernethy
Angling Association – Information from:
Allen's Tackle,
Deshar Road, Boat of Garten
Aberlour
Angling Association – Information from:
J A Munroe, 93-95
High Street, Aberlour
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Spey sea
trout |
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Fochabers Angling Association
The association
have double bank fishing on
approximately 1.5 miles of the river Spey. Four visitors permits are
available on a daily basis, 5AM to 5PM from 11th February to 10th
August.
The prices range between £20 - £65 per rod per day depending on time
of year. For further information and bookings contact :
Andy Milne, 7 Institution Rd,
Fochabers, Moray IV32 7DZ Tele : 01343 820259
or
Gordon Young on 01343 821059
Speymouth Angling Association
The association provide fishing for members and
visitors. Visitor permits available from £5 to £45 per day.
Contact the
secretary, Mrs Moira Brown, The Wedges, Tugnet, Spey Bay, IV32 7PJ
Telephone: 01343 820703
Badenoch Angling Association -
Information from:
Cromarty's Tackle Shop, 25 High Street, Kingussie
For more information about fishing on the
River Spey, see
FishSpey |
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