Location

Within a mile of Huntly,and within walking distance of the Huntly Castle Hotel.

Summary

The Castle beat, half a mile of double bank fishing for two rods, is easily accessible with an adequate fishing hut and well maintained riverbank.
The hut is equipped with a two ring gas stove.
The beat has ten named pools and runs which are easily fished with little wading. The River Deveron is a good all round salmon and sea trout river. Up to 1999 guests of the Castle Hotel, Huntly fished the beat regularly and then a change of ownership of the hotel returned the beat to a purely private one.
Since 2000 the beat has only been fished periodically so the catch records are meaningless. However, upto 1999 we averaged 30-40 salmon per year and a similar number of sea trout.
Best year was 1992 with 82 sea trout.
Each year when fished we have caught spring salmon in March, April & May. The grilse run is in July & August and the main salmon is in September & October. Tackle:
Spring & Autumn- 12'-14' fly rod is best but during the summer a 11' rod will be adequate for salmon, grilse and sea trout.
Please do not fish with leaders lighter than necessary as a good salmon often takes a smaller fly when sea trout fishing. Generally 8lbs is the lightest leader recommended but 6lbs can be used with care with very small flies (nos: 14/16) in very low water.

The Fishing

Fishing is strictly FLY ONLY throughout the season.
Voluntary "catch & release" is encouraged. If there are plenty of fish in the river 2 fish per rod limit per week is also encouraged.
All sea trout should be returned.

The Fish

Sea Trout take best late evening and during the night (as long as the water is clear) and early morning as dawn breaks.
When the water is clear enough, it is rare to use a fly larger than a no:10 and usually the best fishing in June/August is with a no: 12/14 and even 16.
If the air is cold it is worth trying an intermediate line or sink tip, but usually a floater will produce good results.
Best sea trout patterns are:-
Teal Blue and Silver,
Silver Stoats Tail,
Butcher,
Dunkeld and Firey Brown when the water is low and clear.
Salmon fishing early in the season will require a sinking line but when the water warms to mid 40 degrees F then move to intermediate or sink tip but remember the Deveron is a small fly river and as long as the water is clear then April fish can be caught on a no:6 fly. As soon as 48 degrees F is reached then change to a floating line.
FLY SIZES - WHEN WATER IS:
under 40 F 11/2" - 2" Waddington or treble
40- 46 F No: 4/6
46- 50 F No: 6/8
over 50 F No: 8 down to 14 in low, warm water.
Best salmon fly patterns:
Willie Gunn - early with sunk line.
Munro Killer,
Tosh,
Ally's Shrimp,
Stoat's Tail, Silver Stoat's Tail - very good in evening.
Castle Killer - our very own pattern which works well all over Scotland.
Best Times: When water is clear from mid May onwards, last hour of daylight and first hour of daylight.

Prices

How to book

Emma Plumpton,
Loanend,
Gartly,
Huntly,
Aberdeenshire.
AB54 4SB
Tel: No: 01466 720708
Fax: No: 01466 720225
email: emmaplumpton@hotmail.com

Accommodation

The Castle Hotel
Tel: No: 01466 792696
www.castlehotel.uk.com
email: castlehot@enterprise.net
Mrs E. Thomson B&B
Tel: No: 01466 792456
Mrs Morrison B&B
Tel: No: 01466 711217
email: alice.morrison@tinyworld.co.uk