Parkhill Beat Summary Page 1

The Fish

Here we are indeed fortunate, having salmon, brown trout and sea trout. In the early part of the season, say from February to May, this area of the river has not been very productive in the past decade, although a small number of ‘Springers' are caught every year, along with numerous kelts, which of course must be carefully returned. Most of the early clean fish seem to travel quickly upstream, (given adequate water levels), to the middle river between Kintore and Alford.

With moderate river flows, (say around or above 2.4 metres on the SEPA gauging station at Haughton Farm, Inverurie), the first grilse and summer salmon usually start to appear in the beat during June and July. River level information can be obtained on the SEPA website, (see link at the side). As the year progresses, again dependant on suitable water levels, salmon numbers normally increase to their maximum by September and October. by that time a considerable proportion of the fish are coloured, and should be returned. Summer grilse are typically 3 to 5 lbs., later, grilse and salmon average around 7 to 12 lbs., with a number being caught each year in the range 15 to 22 lbs. Brown Trout The trout are of course present throughout the year, our season start date being the 1st April. (‘All Fool's Day', — does this tell us something about anglers?)

For many years there has been a policy of carrying out a single stocking per annum of good quality trout ( no rainbows') ,average size 1 lb., some time prior to opening day, this practice continues. There is a good stock of beautiful wild hard fighting fish throughout both beats, wild fish average just under 1 lb., trout up to 2 lb. are not uncommon, some in the river being well in excess of that size Almost every year there are a number of large trout caught, over 5 lbs, usually by salmon anglers, whilst spinning a lure. Sea Trout The return to the river during recent times is a most welcome situation, this has been brought about largely due to the improvement in water quality in the lower reaches during the last few decades.

Thirty to forty years ago there were few if any sea trout running the Don. At that time the river within the boundaries of the City of Aberdeen was heavily polluted by poorly controlled discharges of industrial effluent, mainly from paper mills and similar premises. Indeed, during warm summer periods the stench arising from the river around the Bridge of Balgownie and Bridge of Don was nauseating.

When observing the river in that area at the time, one would often observe great boils in the water where the gas produced by the anaerobic decomposition of wood pulp erupted from the river bed, the smell of ‘rotten eggs' was everywhere: - the sea trout needed a cleaner environment in order to prosper! Returning to the present, the sea trout usually first show up in the beat in mid/late May, provided water levels are not low, ( 2.3 metres on the SEPA gauging station at Inverurie is sufficient.) fresh fish usually continue to enter the beat until late July. Unlike the other local rivers, finnock do not seem to run far up the Don, and few are caught in this stretch.The quality of the fishing varies considerably from year to year, sometimes good, sometimes poor. A typical fish will be around 2 to 3 lbs., the best will be 5 to 8 lbs., but these are not all that common. The largest sea trout reported in 2003, (returned), was estimated to be in excess of 10 lbs.

SALMON FISHING

Early Spring . (February to April). Salmon fishing, certainly from February until late March, is not normally for the faint hearted in terms of either personal comfort or likely success, if you like a challenge, this is for you! Small numbers of clean fish are always caught during this period, mainly whilst spinning the slower parts of the larger pools, such as Cockers, Goval, Aryburn and Boat Pools. Lures should be fished deeply and slowly, since salmon are not very active in low water temperatures.

Late Spring /Summer. (April to September)

As the water temperature rises, through April to May, the same spinning lures as are used in the early spring ,but in smaller sizes, are satisfactory. The lures, however, should be fished somewhat faster and nearer the surface, in the case of the Flying ‘C', cast at 90 degrees to the bank, or even slightly upstream.

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