2017 Season
Report June 17
The 2017 season has started well, with salmon catches fairly steady, some big fish among them. The best salmon to date was a fish of 20 lbs caught by a visiting angler last week. There have also been a good few fish in and around the 16 pound mark.
The sea trout appeared in numbers earlier than usual and low water throughout May combined with some mild evenings to give excellent night time sport. Half the sea trout caught were between six and eight pounds and the average weight is high.
There does seem to be a few more sea trout about this year and prospects for the next few weeks, invariably the peak time for sea trout night fishing, look very promising.
2018 Season
AGM
The Boat Hotel, Boat of Garten, Tuesday 30th January 2018 at 7 pm
Opening Day Ceremony
Opening Day Ceremony will be held at The Boat Hotel, Boat of Garten, at 11 am, Saturday 17th February. We will proceed to the river at Boat Bridge at about 11.30 am for the Toasting of the New Season.
Secretary’s Report May 20th, 2018
Abernethy & Aviemore Beats
Our lovely stretch at Aviemore came up trumps this week on Monday and kicked off our seatrout season with a 2lb fresh fish for our member Arthur Lee, caught on a dry fly in the daytime!. Just goes to show that seatrout fishing on our river is not just ‘ in the dark ‘ Those prepared to change get rewarded.
The following day, despite the river dropping, Johnnie Gordon came good again by landing a hen salmon of 8lb on, yes you have it, on his favoured payo.
The following morning I had a lovely shaped hen fish of 8lb on the worm. Both fish returned as required by the fisheries board. Just a reminder for those who may not be aware.
Seatrout were seen on the Abernethy beat and a report from Alan Riach Informed me the he was broken by a large fish on Tuesday night but redeemed himself on Friday night by landing , his words, a ‘clonker’ of a fish of 8lb! Last year he had our best at 10lb!!. Must find out what fly he is fishing!.
Looks like there are a few big fish about, similar to last year .
Good luck,
Stuart
Secretary’s Report June 3rd, 2018
June 7, 2018 admin
Abernethy & Aviemore Beats
The river dropped this week to it’s lowest level for a few years. Thinking that that would be the end of the fishing for a while I was proved wrong with 3 Salmon and 9 seatrout. Just goes to show we don’t know it all! The Salmon best was 14lb taken by our member Stephen Dawson. All fish returned.
On Friday night our member Ian Mc Bean had a night he will not forget for some time by landing 7 Seatrout on the fly! and losing 6 others !! best 5lb. What dreams are made of eh!
On a sadder note I have to report that we lost one of our oldest members last Saturday, Bill Norman who sadly passed away after a long illness. Most of those who knew him will remember him as ‘Big Bill’, a builder by trade, a true fisherman by nature, with his trusted 14ft spit cane double hander. Spey caster par excellence. I met Bill in 1978 and apart from the initial ‘meet’ (I’m sure those who knew him would understand!) he became a good friend and an unlimited supply of technical advise on the art of Salmon fishing. Many a time I would have to make the tea before he would ‘release’ his secret fly patterns! He will be sadly missed.
God bless.
Dearly beloved husband of the late Maxine, Dad of Maria, Dirk and Jackie. Grandad to Matthew.
Funeral will be at Buckie Crematorium at 12.30pm on the 8th June with the funeral tea at the Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown on Spey at 2.45pm.
Secretary’s Report June 10th, 2018
June 10, 2018 admin
Abernethy & Aviemore beats
Thanks to Iain and Owen who have agreed to improve the banks on our lovely stretch at Aviemore. Strength to their elbows.
The river stayed low but fish still showed. With myself kicking off the week with salmon of 8lb with Johnnie Gordon having a similar fish the same day. Larger fish turned up later in the week with 2 on Saturday to Stephen Dawson at 12lb and David McDonald at 15lb. Although seatrout appear to have arrived and the ‘nightshift’ were out in force only 3 reported, best 4lb. If fishers are catching please report as we like to keep our records correct. Hopefully some fresh water will help.
Secretary’s Report June 24th, 2018
June 24, 2018 admin
Abernethy & Aviemore Beats
The thunder arrived with some well anticipated rain but it went up the west coast! However despite the river only coming up 3inches the fish did their bit over the rocks and boulders and made an appearance. Fishers responded and 12 salmon and 17 seatrout were recorded for the week. Best salmon was 16lb for our member Sam McCully.
Of the 17 seatrout 3 were 7lb!, good breeding stock for the future. Very few reported were small. Just a reminder all seatrout over 3lb must be returned please. Hopefully we see another 3 inches soon!
Secretary’s Report July 1st, 2018
July 1, 2018 admin
It was hot this week with the river dropping to 3ins. Fishers took cover and ventured out at night. Our local lad John Gray had a salmon of 8lb at 12.30am. Only one other report of a seatrout later in the week.
Rain needed. Lets hope.
Stuart.
NEWSFLASH July 5th WORM FISHING SUSPENDED
July 5, 2018 admin
Worm fishing is suspended on the waters of the Abernethy and Aviemore Angling Association until further notice in view of the current river conditions of low water and high temperatures.
By the Chairman
Secretary’s Report July 8th 2018
July 8, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
The river is in a poor state as we know. The last time we had these conditions was 1976! I’m sure the fish are feeling it right now and I hope fishers respect this.
The condition of the river has prompted our Chairman to suspend worm fishing for the immediate future until further notice. Notices are in place so please be aware.
Turning to the fishing the week produced 14 seatrout , best 7lb.
Stuart
Sec. AAAIA
Secretary’s Report July 15th 2018
July 15, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
River conditions stayed the same this week with little activity. The worm fishing suspension remains in force till further notice. Please be aware.
There has been an incident were some fishers have been using live minnows! If any member or guest see this on the river please report immediately to Gary or me.
Stuart
Sec AAAIA
Secretary’s Report July 22nd 2018
July 22, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
The farmers’ prayers were answered this week with the long awaited rain, but it did little to help our river and it only rose one inch. However we did see an influx of grilse in the first beats at Spey Bay. Hopefully they may make an appearance later this week.
Seatrout for the week totalled 14 with the best at 7lb. In view of the river conditions the suspension of worm fishing is still in force and also catch and release would not go amiss at this difficult time for the fish please.
Stuart
Sec. AAIA
Secretary’s Report July 29th 2018
July 29, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
The grilse that I reported last week finally arrived on Friday/Saturday with three to the fly, best 6lb. Only one seatrout reported at 3lb.
The river still remains low at one inch and fishers are reporting that the water is warm so oxygen levels must be low for the fish. Hopefully those fishing will respect this.
Stuart.
Sec. AAAIA
Secretary’s Report August 5th 2018
August 5, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
The river came up a few inches and fishers reported fish were taking but few were landed. The lucky ones reported 3 seatrout for the week , best 3lb.
The suspension of worm fishing remains and the signs are on the pools till further notice.
Stuart.
Sec. AAAIA
Secretary’s Report August 12th 2018
August 12, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
Last week the rain arrived and the river rose slightly but again fell back. One grilse was caught together with eleven seatrout all at night.
Stuart.
Sec. AAAIA
Secretary’s Report August 19th 2018
August 19, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
The weather has improved with some more rain. The river rose slightly by 3inches and stayed there for the week. One salmon reported at 8lb on a fly ‘C’. Despite one fisher forgetting his wading boots used his trainers to do the business and had two nice seatrout for his efforts!
The suspension of worm fishing is still in place and notices are displayed on the pools until further notice, please be aware.
Stuart
Sec AAAIA
Secretary’s Report September 9th 2018
September 9, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
Three weeks to go chaps and lasses and the rain has arrived. Last week started slow but picked up when the river hit the amazing height of 8inches!. Two salmon were taken, a grilse of 4lb and a sea liced hen fish of 6lb the later taken on a payo. One seatrout reported on the fly at 6lb.
Hopefully we might have a nice run of fish to see the season out. Lets hope !
Stuart.
Sec AAAIA
Secretary’s Report September 16th 2018
September 16, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
The river rose to a good height at the start of the week and fish showed starting off with a nice salmon of 11lb for Gordon Henderson and a 15lb fish for Johnnie Gordon but these were dwarfed by two 25lb+ fish on Saturday. Our junior member Sam at 13 years of age showed us all how it should be done!! in the photo below. He has been picked to fish for Scotland again this year and I think the selectors got it right!!
Well done Sam – a day to remember. Just about the same time Johnnie Gordon also landed a 25lb+ fish. After a good fight he had to retire to the Bridge Hotel for a wee dram.!!
A few seatrout were caught and released on our Aviemore stretch and this concluded the week. The suspension of worm fishing will remain to the end of the season per the Chairman.
Stuart
Sec AAAIA
Secretary’s Report September 30th 2018
September 30, 2018 admin
Abernethy and Aviemore Beats
The final week brought good water and and the fishers were out in numbers and had some good sport both on the fly and spinner. The week produced 20 salmon, best 20lb and 13 seatrout.
Our youngest member Gino at 10 years old went out with his grandad Billy Richardson on Friday and landed his first ever salmon at 8lb and seatrout at 4lb. He was, his grandad said, ‘over the moon’ I hope he has caught the fishing ‘bug’ and one day he will perhaps be writing this report!. Well done Gino and may you have many more lovely memories with grandad.
Finally, the season was challenging due to the weather condition and I would like to thank all those guests who came and supported the Association. Hope to see you next year.
Regards to you all.
Stuart
Sec AAAIA
2019 AGM and Presentation of Trophies
January 10, 2019 admin
The AGM with Presentation of the Trophies will be held at The Boat Hotel, Boat of Garten, on 29th January 2019 at 7.30pm.
We look forward to seeing you.
AGM 2020
The Annual General Meeting of the Abernethy and Aviemore Angling Improvement Association will be held in the Boat of Garten hotel on the 4th of February 2020 at 7.30 pm.
The Opening Ceremony will be on Saturday 15th February. Meet at the Boat of Garten Hotel at 11.00 am then a walk to the Boat of Garten bridge to toast the river. All welcome.
Opening Day 2020
A good turnout at the Bridge Pool on Saturday 15th February to toast the new season.
Coronavirus (26/3/20)
In line with Government advice, and Spey Fishery Board recommendations, in order to minimise the potential spread of the Coronavirus, the association’s Abernethy and Aviemore beats on the River Spey are now closed to fishing. Until further notice, no member or visitor should fish on the river. Any change in the situation will be posted here in due course.
Coronavirus update 28th May
Following the latest guidance from the Scottish Government regarding permitted outdoor activities and continuing travel restrictions, fishing may now resume from May 29th on the association water but we would ask that visitors do not travel here just yet, as visitors permits will not be available until government advise that wider travel is safe and local hotels, caravan parks etc. can reopen. Fishing will be allowed initially for local members only and only where social distancing rules may be adhered to. Members should not congregate in fishing huts or on riverside benches etc. This page will be updated as the situation changes.
Coronavirus Update
From Saturday 4th July, visitors’ tickets will be on sale from usual outlets.
Spey Clean-up
The call has gone out for people to join in with the Single Spey River Clean over the weekend of October 3 and 4. For more information see Spey Clean Up
Newsletter 2021
Abernethy & Aviemore Angling Improvement Association
Newsletter 2021 Season
Chairman: Duncan Ferguson
Treasurer: Joan Jeffers
Secretary: Joan Jeffers
Dear Members,
Happy New Year to you all. As I am sat writing this I was hoping that the news on the covid front would be more cheery but here we are again in lockdown. The good news though is once the river opens on the 11th of February we can go fishing! Please adhere to the social distancing rule. The huts will remain closed for the time being.
There will be no AGM or opening ceremony this year so I will give as much news as I can in this letter. We had 35 adult members, 37 seniors and 16 juniors. Juniors are free up to the age of 21 years as long as they are in full time education. Membership was slightly down on last year. Please could I ask you to pay your membership by 1st May, 2021. Visitor ticket sales were down by £5000.00 on 2020 as the river was closed to visitors during lockdown. I did try to apply for a covid grant but, as we only have fishing huts and no permanent store house, we were turned down.
Once again I would like to thank Gary for river watching and keeping the grass cut. We are still hoping to tidy Aviemore beats and put the pool name boards in place. I would also thank John Gray for his help with the website.
Please take the time to read your copy of the club rules which is sent out with your permits.
Remember to report all fish to Gary within 24 hours of being caught.
Rod catches for 2020 are as follows:
83 salmon
31 grilse
117 sea trout
Trophies are awarded to:
Chris Jeffers – First salmon on the fly 11th June 10lb
Tamsin Jones – 1st sea trout on the fly 1st June 2.5lb
Johnny Gordon – Heaviest fish 29th August 21lb
We also have 2 junior trophies:
Holly with a 2lb sea trout
Logan McLeod with an 8lb salmon
Please could I ask you to take your rubbish home.
Committee and office bearers remain as 2020. If anyone has any issues with anything, please do not hesitate to let me know. All this leaves me to say is tight lines, stay safe and enjoy the 2021 season.
Regards,
Duncan, Joan and the Committee.