[Duncan McRae]

First visit to the Ythan for me this season.

It was a lovely night so headed for the lower half of Gicht.
I looked over the old bridge over the Ythan and was dismayed to see numerous dead trees.Many hundreds all the way down the Ythan ,totally changing the landscape.
Ash die back disease i think.

Headed up to the top of the beat and started to work my way down stream again.
Didn't hook anything of any great size but took many smolts and smaller Browns up to around 9"

I'm sure that there must be some big trout in the Ythan so will keep on trying.
























Duncan

[Mike Barrio]

I found most fish were smaller in the lower half of the beat when I fished it Duncan, it wasn't until I got up nearer the castle that I picked up any better ones. By better ones I mean 'trophy' fish of 8-12 inches, and they were not easy to find 

I do remember a trout of around 5-6 lbs being caught a few years back, but not on the fly.

I always hoped it would be a bit like the Ury up there, but that wasn't my experience, perhaps I simply failed 

[Duncan McRae]

It could be that the big fish are simply not there Mike.
Maybe there's just not enough feeding for them and they end up going to sea?

Duncan

[Mike Barrio]

Maybe Duncan, but from Methlick down the way, I'd expect there to be a few decent fish ..... there certainly used to be 

[Duncan McRae]

Took this hard fighting seatrout from a favourite middle beat the other night.

Darkness and an uncut river bank made landing the fish a real nightmare but luckily it stayed on.
Although i have had bigger fish from the estuary,this is my best fish from the actual river.




Duncan

[Mike Barrio]

Nice one Duncan 

[Eddie Sinclair]

Nice fish Duncan

Eddie

[Sandy Nelson]

Lovely fish Duncan

[Stevie Rennie]

Cracking fish, well done 

Especially with the added risk the jungle esque banks bring.

Looks quite similar to the one I caught last night too 

[Stevie Rennie]

I’m planning my first ever visit to the Ythan this friday.
My nephews being dragged off the playstation and will be spinning, with me on the fly.

Hoping for a little advice from anyone familiar with it.

So far the plan is from the north bank but not sure where’s best.
From what I can see on the website the recommended traditional start time from the bank is at actual high tide, is that correct?

Just had the thought in my mind that you would be better to fish  during the incoming tide but I’m sure there’s a logical reason.

My thought was to use a 9ft #5, but could go 9 1/2 #6 /7 or 11’ #6/7 and to grab a few tasmanian devils and toby type lures from somers for my nephew and a few recommended flies.

Any recommendations from you experienced chaps on flies & tactics would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Stevie

[James Laraway]

so from my experience ( a good few years ago)  was
 - the best bit was above or just below the road bridge - not sure if you premit allows you there ? It was best an hour either side of low water. Too shallow to spin above the road bridge so i used fly. Just below the bridge its deeper so spinning is just the job
 - for flies I just tied up some 'terrors'. Long shank size 6 or 8s with two cock hackle feathers as the wing. Brown (wing) and gold (body) is very good, and i also found yellow and black (brahama feathers). I tendeded to strip them on a fast sinker....
- for spinning pick up some tasmanian devils as i found them the best ( apart from the obvious sutherland specials)

hope that helps a bit....

[Stevie Rennie]

Thanks James,

That’s helpful and appreciated info.

According to the map online, I believe the permit allows above and below the bridge down to the mouth, so good to know I can access where you recommend.
A fast sinking line is now in the bag and terrors added to the list too 

[James Laraway]

the water above the bridge will only go up to your knees at low water but dont let that put you off. The fish sit sit in the very shallow streamy water....
I only even fisher above the bridge 30 mins before and after low tide....

[Stevie Rennie]

Cheers James,

Quality info and I’ll give that a try before heading home at low tide.
The high tides due at 13:00 so aiming to be there around 11:30am and then fish through the outgoing tide based on that statement on the page of the traditional bank start time being at height of the tide.

Still can’t get my head round not fishing the incoming tide but sure someone will explain? 

Could it be to let the estuary fill up with fish before actually fishing and scaring them off entering

[Sandy Nelson]

Stevie

My experience of the estuary is it can fish on most of the tide, but 2hrs either side of low tide is usually best. The fish move into and out of the river with the tide so the terns are usually the best indicator as to where the fish may be congregating at any given point as they are chasing the same bait fish that the seatrout are after.
It’s good fun

Sandy

[Stevie Rennie]

Cheers Sandy,

Appreciated info again and now might extend our time to catch the turning tide for an hour or two.

I’ll definitely keep an eye on the terns activity but might not mention it to my nephew, just in case he ends up hooking one 

[Duncan McRae]

If you are fishing the North bank then personally,i would consider the Tonely and just below.
I would spin the first half of the dropping tide,switching to the fly for the second.

I've found that the first few minutes of the incoming tide can be productive but i only give it around half an hour.Maybe depends where you are fishing.

Best tip i can give is to check your nylon regularly.
When i first fished the estuary i used to lose so many Sutherland specials when i fished over the razor sharp mussel beds.

Wish they still made these Sutherlands.They are so deadly.




Duncan

[Stevie Rennie]

Duncan,

That’s more greatly appreciated  advice, so thanks kindly 

Yep! I’d love a few of those Sutherland Specials myself but lost the last two I had in as many casts.

Really looking forward to my visit now and spent last night watching ‘sea trout battle on fyn’ on YT to inspire me further (well worth checking it out if you haven’t seen it) I’ll report back any success or failure.

Cheers 
Stevie

[Sandy Nelson]

Anyone contacted these guys?

https://m.facebook.com/Sutherland-Special-104719741870444/posts

[Duncan McRae]

I hadn't heard about them Sandy.
Thanks for the heads up.

Duncan

[James Laraway]

Be interesting to see if they get it of the ground and how much they are going to charge.
Personally I reckon you could do a weighted plastic version far cheaper than the original alloy (?) version and at less cost but I look forward to seeing the results and good luck to them
quote author=Sandy Nelson link=topic=9071.msg73669#msg73669 date=1627061294]
Anyone contacted these guys?

https://m.facebook.com/Sutherland-Special-104719741870444/posts
[/quote]

[Stevie Rennie]

The first Ythan trip went ahead as planned with a few slight adjustments and we managed to tie in with a couple of Ythan regulars.

Concentrating our efforts mainly at Tonely and ending down at Craigs point.
As advised here we started off spinning during high tide and I switched to fly fish with the 9 1/2’ #6  with a sinking line for the last few hours through to low.

Sadly we only connected with a couple of feisty finnock on tasmanian devils and one pull for me on a sand eel pattern.

It was a  decent warm overcast day but not much bird or seal activity to be seen and heard a few comments from the other regular fishers about the lack of action. An occasional bigger fish jumped here & there to keep the interest.

One guy fishing alongside us was into a decent hard fighting fish which ran hard right past us.
Unfortunately he lost it right at the net.
A sore one for him I’m sure but seeing that kept us going in the hope we might be next.

The nephew & I were fortunate enough to receive a blue & silver Sutherland Special each on arrival which I then tried determinedly without a touch and as Duncan warned it got snagged a fair few times.

Determined not to lose the bugger, I was able to wade in just enough each time to get over it & recover.
Even laying down the snagged rod for an hour and set up another while waiting for a decent drop in tide to get in and work it out a real hard snag.



These Sutherland Specials were remakes made by a local guy who I believe only makes for himself and a select few friends.
Very nicely made and to receive a couple was greatly appreciated.

Perhaps he’s the guy behind the page Sandy shared but either way if they come to be available, I’d buy a batch as these looked the part and have the action of the original.

All in all it was an enjoyable first visit in good company and a welcome change from the don.

I’ll certainly have another crack at it with renewed optimism & the good advice you guys kindly shared.

Cheers, 
Stevie

[Duncan McRae]

Stevie

That certainly looks like a decent Sutherland.

Pity you didn't get hold of a fish today but next time you might have a bonanza.
Estuary fishing is very unpredictable.

Duncan

[Stevie Rennie]

Estuary fishing is very unpredictable.

Duncan

Yep! Happy to learn the intricacies of fishing the estuary and expect it to be every bit as complex as the river.

One thing I’m contemplating this week is the adaa section, I can get access as a guest with my brother and wouldn’t mind a crack there before re-joining next season.
Any thoughts on the adaa section above the bridge?
Worth a try or stick with the more tidal part?

Cheers,
Stevie

[Sandy Nelson]

It’s just as tidal Stevie
There’s a really cool channel to fish and I’ve had some great days fishing the ADAA section.
Lends itself nicely to fly fishing too 

Sandy