[Tam Greenock]

Ok folks, who is up for taking me out on a days fishing on The Don, showing me the ropes

Preferably one of the easier stretches to start off with.

Thanks
Tam

[Chiz]

Haha,

I was away to update my Lower Parkhill post with exactly the same question. It's ok fishing the Don, but if you don't know where to fish, it's pretty much pointless!

Good luck

[Mike Barrio]

Hi Chiz

It is not where to fish that we all have to learn ...... it is more how to approach the water, what to look for, how to read the water and what might be worth trying in each situation, so watercraft basically.

A friend can go out with you and help with a few pointers, but the skills have to be learned with time and with patience, as I'm sure others will agree. It's a cool and enjoyable journey and there aren't really any shortcuts

Best wishes
Mike

[Mike Barrio]

Hi Tam

Sorry, I haven't got any gaps at the moment, but if I get a chance I'll get in touch

Cheers
Mike

[Barry Robertson]

Chiz
This may sound cheeky but here goes................

The lads that post on here that are catching fish are experienced anglers and have put alot of time and effort into getting to know these parts of the water!
This will not happen over night for a newbie to the rivers, and all being normal you will probably blank for a good few outings and in turn appreciate it when you do start landing fish!
To say its pointless is throwing in the towel very easily and is all to common an expression you hear alot these days!
Do you really expect to turn up for your first few trips on the don or any river infact and haul fish out like you do at your average small fishery 
The more you put in will reflect on how your fishing results in!
Stick at it mate and the results will follow 
Baz

[Noel Kelly]

Hi Tam/chiz
What Mike and Baz are saying is true. I have been fishing The Don for 4 years now and it was my second year before I caught anything over 3/4 lb. Third year was when certain things started to fall into place and I caught better fish than I would have believed were there.
There were times in my first year when I would have sworn that there wasn't a fish in the river, that's mainly because I was fishing at the wrong times.
Tam where do you fish, Inverurie? how are you fairing at the moment?
Chiz I don't fish Parkhill so not much use to you sorry.
 

[darren78]

Being a newbie to river fishing myself i found it a great help reading through the river don links on the home page, including the Introduction, Fishing beats, Trout tactics, and also the don flies links that all can be found on the fishingthefly home page. All of which are well worth reading and very helpfull.

Thanks Darren

[Mike Barrio]

Great stuff Darren

Not sure my post came across as I wanted it to but what I was trying to say was ....... asking for help with where to fish is certainly not the answer, asking for help with how to fish the river will be of much more benefit

I think the "how to" is what Tam was hoping for in the original post.

Best wishes
Mike

[Chiz]

Bigtroot,

Sorry, 'pointless' was indeed the wrong word to choose. I guess difficult would be a preferred word.

Thanks for the tips about the water though. I need to invest in a decent pair of waders before venturing out, but as everyone has pointed out on this thread, reading the water and understanding basic principles about hatches, the water and other aspects of river fishing is something i need to learn prior to any outting.

It's all very well reading up on it, but I believe having a guide who can point these things out is something/someone I need to find

I think i'll stick to fisheries until 1) I get waders and 2) I understand the river to a basic level where I can read the water and have a brief understanding of what's actually happening in the river



Tam - Sorry for spamming your thread, but i thought my post was valid to yours 

[Mike Barrio]

Hi Chiz

You'll learn a little each time you visit the river and the learning curve will last the rest of your life ..... this is one of the beauties of our sport

Best wishes
Mike

[Tam Greenock]

Thanks for the replies folks,
Sorry l should have made it clearer, In my original post l asked about one of the easier stretches of the river, l didnt mean easier to catch fish 
l meant easier for wading, l have not been wading in a river for over 25 years and just a wee bit cautious about it.

I am dying to use my Barrio 3 weight for the reason l bought it 

[Iain Goolager]

Tam,

pm sent

Iain

[Tam Greenock]

Hi Ian, reply sent back


Tam

[Simon Bruce]

Hi chiz

If you want why not come out with me for a day on the don at Alford.

I can teach you some basic things. And how to read the water.

As am still learning to fish the Don again. 

[Tam Greenock]

I met up with Ian(Goolager) last Wednesday evening for a session on The Don at Inverurie.  We had a good four hours on the water and l really enjoyed it. We didn't catch anything tho.
The wading was easy, thanks for the loan of your waders Ian  .

Looking forward to my next outing 

[Iain Goolager]

Nae bother Tam.

We'll have to get another evening out - hopefully where the fish do rise.

Sorry but you'll have to get your own waders though    Don't think I can go another evening fishing in 'tights'

Iain

Point of note - standing up to my krackers in water, changing from dry to wet set up - tie on dropper fly and release into current - tying on point fly and 6" fish takes the dropper - luckily the hook point was clear of my fingers (and mouth)  ............could have been nasty.