Glen Tanar Estate hopes to reel in anglers from all over the country with a competition which will put an end to fishy tales of the one that got away. The country estate in the heart of Royal Deeside will give away a weekend break in one of its luxury cottages to the fisherman who lands the heaviest salmon on its River Dee beats this season.
The River Dee has some of the best salmon fishing in Scotland, and the Estate’s four beats on the upper stretch of the river rarely disappoint. Fishermen who cast their lines this year will be eligible to enter the competition and will be encouraged to show off their catch by posting pictures and videos on the Glen Tanar Estate’s Facebook page.
Glen Tanar Estate wildlife manager, Colin McLean, says, “Salmon fishing on the Estate is incredibly popular, and we felt that our fishermen might enjoy the opportunity to take part in some friendly competition. All catches made will be logged and their weight recorded, and prizes will be awarded at the end of the season in September. We are also encouraging everyone to take a photograph or video footage of their catch and post it on the Estate’s Facebook page as evidence to their friends and fellow anglers that they really did catch a whopper.”
The first prize is a weekend for up to four people in one of the estate’s luxury self catering cottages. Glen Tanar is surrounded by magnificent scenery and is the perfect location for a range of outdoor pursuits including walking, cycling and pony trekking, so there will be plenty to keep non-anglers amused. The Estate is located within the Cairngorms National Park and is under an hour’s drive from Aberdeen and its many attractions.
The second prize is a made-to-measure Dee wading jacket worth £265 – a must for any keen angler – which is being supplied by Hilltrek Outdoor Clothing. Made at Hilltrek’s workshop in Aboyne, it is a waterproof jacket designed for chest wading even in the worst spring and autumn conditions on Scottish salmon rivers. The garment has been created using Cotton Analogy, which allows it to be highly breathable and suitable for use even in warmer temperatures. The third prize is a bottle of The Dalmore Dee Dram whisky and some of Glen Tanar Estate’s own venison.
The four beats at Glen Tanar – Headinch & Cambus O’May, Deecastle, Waterside & Ferrar and Craigendinnie – stretch for over 16 miles and have yielded an average of 120 salmon catches per season over the past five years. All salmon fishing on the estate adheres to the Dee Conservation Code of catch and release. Fishing, which is fly-based, can be booked by the week, part week or on a daily basis, and ghillies must be used in the spring season which runs until June. Glen Tanar Estate also offers trout fly fishing by boat at its private loch, which is open throughout the season.
Set in the heart of Royal Deeside and in the Cairngorms National Park, the Glen Tanar Estate offers a wealth of activity for visitors including walks, cycling, riding and trout and salmon fishing. The Glen Tanar Estate Ballroom is available for functions from weddings to conferences. For more information on Glen Tanar Estate, visit www.glentanar.co.uk or contact 013398 86451. Visit www.facebook.com/GlenTanarEstate to keep track of the competition.
