Anglers on the Glen Tanar Estate have been netting some of the best catches ever recorded, with April, May and June figures reporting increases on the previous year’s figures. Almost 90 sea trout were caught on the Waterside and Ferrar beat alone in the first two weeks of June, more than the total caught for that beat in the entire month of June 2009. And the Headinch and Cambus beat has recorded 124 salmon, with the largest weighing 14lbs, being caught so far this year, surpassing last year’s total of 103 for 2009.
Glen Tanar Estate is home to four beats on the upper stretch of the River Dee which have been used by anglers fishing for salmon and trout since the 17th century. These beats are Waterside and Ferrar, Deecastle, Headinch and Cambus O’May, and Craigendinnie.
Michael Bruce, owner of Glen Tanar Estate, says, “Anglers on the estate have had a great first half of the year with the numbers of both trout and salmon caught having significantly increased, with some beats having already surpassed the 2009 catch figures.
“While we can’t attribute the rise in stock levels to any single contributing factor, we work in partnership with the surrounding estates and conservation bodies to maintain and increase fish stock levels in the Dee through various river management and conservation methods.
“One of the key conservation methods to be introduced to allow depleting stock to replenish was catch and release fishing, which has been operating since the early 1990s when salmon stocks had plummeted to an all time low. Other river management practices include the close monitoring of fish population and behaviour analysis through tagging fish, conducting spawn counts and genetic surveys.
“We also strive to give our anglers the best possible fishing experience and employ highly experienced Ghillies who can advise the anglers on the best tackle to use, tactics to employ and the best places to fish on the beat. This alone can make the difference between a successful or an unsuccessful fishing trip”.
The River Dee is one of the top four British salmon rivers and is famous for its salmon fishing attracting anglers world-wide. The Dee rises in the Cairngorm Mountains and flows for over 80 miles through the Grampian region before it enters the North Sea at Aberdeen. It is one of the earliest producing rivers in Scotland and takes great pride in the fact that it produces more spring fish caught to the fly than many other rivers in Britain.
All salmon fishing on the estate is catch and release as recommended by the ‘Dee Conservation Code’ which is supported by the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board and the Dee Salmon Fishing Improvement Association.
For more information visit www.glentanar.co.uk or to book fishing contact Glen Tanar Estate on 013398 86451 or email info@glentanar.co.uk.
