With just a few months of the fishing season left to run, the competition is heating up on Glen Tanar Estate’s River Dee beats as anglers battle it out to land the heaviest salmon of the year. The country estate on Royal Deeside is offering up a weekend break in one of its luxury self-catering cottages to the triumphant fisherman.
The contest was launched at the start of the salmon fishing season in March, and the current leader is Richard Ashby from Peterborough. Mr Ashby, who has been a regular visitor to the Estate over the past five years, caught a 25lb salmon in May on the Craigendinnie beat, aided by ghillie George Murray.
The competition has been a close-run affair, with notable catches of 17.5lb from Nick Dover from Wiltshire and 17lb by Gavin McPherson from Aberdeen, but there is still time for anglers to make their mark on the leaderboard as the competition will go on until the end of the season in September.
Glen Tanar Estate wildlife manager Colin McLean says, “The competition has resulted in some good natured rivalry between the anglers and has added a little bit more excitement to their time on the water. Many of our anglers only ever visit the Estate during the fishing season and spend all their time on the river, so they are all keen to come back out of season with their families and to experience the many other attractions that Glen Tanar has to offer.
“Entrants in the competition are encouraged to have a photograph taken of their catch so that it can be posted on the Glen Tanar Estate Facebook page as evidence, and also to show their fellow anglers what they have to match up to.
Richard Ashby is the current leader in the Glen Tanar Estate heaviest salmon competition with this 25lb catch.
“The 25lb salmon currently in first place is a substantial fish, but it is certainly no monster compared to others that have been caught on the Glen Tanar Estate beats over the years. I am sure that an even bigger fish is out there just waiting to be caught.”
Glen Tanar Estate has four beats on the fast-flowing River Dee – renowned for offering some of the best salmon fishing in Scotland – with the sections yielding an average of 120 salmon catches per season over the past five years. All fishermen who use the beats at Headinch & Cambus O’May, Deecastle, Waterside & Ferrar and Craigendinnie are eligible to enter the contest. Salmon fishing on the Estate observes the Dee Conservation Code of catch and release.
The first prize is a weekend for up to four people a luxury self-catering cottage which the winner can use as a base to explore the incredible scenery. Glen Tanar Estate is based within the Cairngorms National Park and is the ideal location for a range of outdoor pursuits including walking, cycling and pony trekking.
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.
In addition to the four beats on the River Dee, 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.
