[Kev Danby]

Out again above alford on Saturday - Scorchio. Not much happening but a sunray came to the rescue 1 slightly coloured fish around 4lb.

Quite a few caddis (or at least thats what i think they are) and the trees covered in small black flies. A few small fish coming up during the day.

[Loxiafan]

Tough night last night (Sun). Conditions had worsened consideraby by the time I arrived at the river, wind, drizzle, low temps. Walked the banks looking for rising fish but only saw tiddlers which continued rising despite the squalls. Never made a cast all evening and really it was a case of 'taking a rod for a walk' ! The night was saved by excellent views of a piping Kingfisher, which subsequently caught a fish right in front of me ! Haven't seen any on the Don (or Dee) for a few years now since the hard winters of 2009 and 2010 great to see them picking up a again.

Lindsay

[Iain Goolager]

Loxiafun,

I'm 99.9% sure it was a Kingfisher that I saw when out for a walk along the Kintore banks earlier in the season.

It was in flight but the size & colours were unquestionable. It must have been fishing a wee burn when I spooked it, I have always had a lookout for it when crossing thon wee burn but haven't seen it since.

Iain

[Loxiafan]

I'm 99.9% sure it was a Kingfisher that I saw when out for a walk along the Kintore banks earlier in the season.

Great stuff ! Send me the location in a PM and I will pass it on to those I know that study them. There were actually quite a lot on the lower Dee at one point and I have seen them in the past on the Urie. However, the hard winters really knock them on the head, even those birds that head for the coast when times are hard. Green Woodpecker was also temporarily extincted at Braemar due to two severe winters in 09/10 but this year they have returned and bred.

For those that are interested, you will probably hear a Kingfisher before you see it - a fast "peep","peep", "peep" 'piping' call, and then a flash of aquamarine ! Along with Dippers they are the sign of a very healthy clean river environment.

Lindsay

[Iain Goolager]

For those that are interested, you will probably hear a Kingfisher before you see it - a fast "peep","peep", "peep"

I must add a point of note there Lindsay,

I tried to photograph a Kingfisher years ago after hearing the distinctive PEEP,PEEP,PEEP that you describe only to be knocked down by a reversing bin lorry!  Beware.

It's true

Iain

[Steven Kidd]

Iain,
Your mental.

[Noel Kelly]

I must add a point of note there Lindsay,

I tried to photograph a Kingfisher years ago after hearing the distinctive PEEP,PEEP,PEEP that you describe only to be knocked down by a reversing bin lorry!  Beware.

It's true

Iain

Iain that's tragic. It must have hit you a few times I'd say and all the blows in the head area? Awful just awful, those damn twitchers and their bin lorries. They have the river banks ruined.

[Allan Liddle]

Widnae have been round these parts, here they just stop in the middle of the road

[Loxiafan]

Widnae have been round these parts, here they just stop in the middle of the road

The Scaffie Wagons or the Twitchers Allan ? 

L

[Allan Liddle]

Both 

[Mark Zhang]

Went out last Saturday morning. The plan was for Salmon, but nothing after 2 hours, so change to trout. Caught this one on the Nyphm. Not as big as photo shows, 8 or 9in I guess, but fight hard. quick returned, hope can see him next year.  

I used to do Carp fishing, this time of the year is the best time, they are feeding all the time. and getting fat for winter. how about the trout? they are really quiet now, and they don't look very fat.   are they on diet? Cheers.

Mark

[Loxiafan]

...they are feeding all the time. and getting fat for winter. how about the trout? they are really quiet now, and they don't look very fat.   are they on diet?

Generally, it is considered that it is mainly trout of a certain size will breed (hence ADAA recommendation to return all fish of 2 lbs and over....how about making it a RULE for next year guys, com'on ). However, I have caught smaller fish that had eggs or testes (in the bad old days) and you do also get 'precocious parr'. Any breeding fish will have started (before now) to convert some body fat to gonad production so they will not all look plump and well fed. BT at this time of year would generally not be considered good eating.....but then us guys all put them back, right 

Lindsay

[Loxiafan]

Looks like I might make closing day afterall, maybe also Saturday late PM early evening  Anyone else going out ? Would be nice to meet up with a few of the folks I have bumped in to and kept in touch with over the season. Let's hope the weather holds out ! It is a long six months though till it all kicks off again

Lindsay

[danbruce]

Well it is looking good for me to make it out over the weekend so if you drop me a pm and let me know where you are heading. I should make it out for a little while.

Cheers
Dan

[Loxiafan]

....forecast for Sunday looks absolute jobbies, and just as the river is hitting a good level too.

L

[Iain Goolager]

Lindz there is a slight chance that I'll make it out Saturday afternoon/ early evening.
It would be good to see you before the season ends so let me know if you are out then.

TACTICS..........

Larger trout will accept streamers/ lures, witnessed a 2 lb trout chasing a 6" trout today (it was attached to my nymph at the time) awesome.
Smaller Trout were seen today taking Duns so don't forget your dries
Nymphing and spidering is worth a throw.

River has a hint of a tinge but almost back to 'normal'

Iain

[Allan Liddle]

Interesting to hear that lower areas are still producing as well with good fish (2lb's a good fish in anyone's book).

Can't help thinking the upper head waters should be the place to be, especially after all the recent rain and Autumnal conditions?
Anyone fish these bits recently (no beat names please, just a general question  )

Allan L

[Noel Kelly]

I may have a brief foray on Sunday morning. Last year in the dying days I had my best streamer caught brownie 2&1/4lbs, looked for a pic tonight but can't find it. That was on a middle beat, shortly after I hooked and lost a salmon on the same streamer, a wooly bugger
If anyone fancies a few hrs Sunday morn would be cool to join up. Thinking the upper adaa beat but open to suggestions.

[Loxiafan]

Lindz there is a slight chance that I'll make it out Saturday afternoon/ early evening.
It would be good to see you before the season ends so let me know if you are out then.

Hi Iain,

Brilliant stuff min ! Will PM you and a note of my mobile number (and to see where you were today !). Working till 1.30pm though...

Was going armed with dries - I have done 'surface' tactics pretty much all season so closing weekend will be the same. JW had a good hatch of Medium Olives on Saturday so size 19 JT Olive for me.....

Linz

[Noel Kelly]

Any action today gentlemen? Weather looking reasonable tomorrow so I think a few hrs is in order early morning. Anyone up for it?

[Loxiafan]

Any action today gentlemen? Weather looking reasonable tomorrow so I think a few hrs is in order early morning. Anyone up for it?

Had a couple of nice sub-pounders on the dry this afternoon low ADAA beat - very difficult conditions with wind wreaking absolute havoc. Saw a couple of nice fish rising, one impossible hugging far bank and one mid stream that was almost impossible in the wind and currents. A lull in the wind finally let me get a fly right over its nose, gulp, hooked, ran a bit then slack. Arse. Was over 2lbs too.

Quite a lot of Medium Olives from 4.30pm onwards, skittering about on the surface in the wind. Feeshes were taking emergers or cripples though.

I will be out 2moro if rain does not colour river overnight, possibly 'upriver'.

Lindsay

[Noel Kelly]

Was over 2lbs too.
  noooooo bugger that would have been a good fish to finish on!


I will be out 2moro if rain does not colour river overnight, possibly 'upriver'.

I'm also thinking upriver but not def, wish I could get out afternoon now after reading your post but tomorrow is the all ireland hurling final on telly from 3.30. But I don't expect you to know anything bout that lol.

Lindsay

[Iain Goolager]

Well done Linsay,

quite a respectable consistent hatch of olives where I was too and loads of wee fellas snacking on them, had to switch from nimpf to Johns' Jingler to bag a few.

Just a glimmer of a chance of sneaking a last fling later tomorrow but 'er indoors has a list of stuff for the laddie that needs attending to and I also really want to get to the GAC early doors.

Dan, did you venture out?

Iain

[Iain Goolager]

Was over 2lbs too.

Did you lose it in the weed? 

Iain

[Iain Goolager]

but tomorrow is the all ireland hurling final on telly from 3.30.

Hopefully I'll see it too Trig - either that or on the other side there's pro-celebrity wool winding which will be equaly enthralling.

Iain