Held on the 3rd December 09, the annual Ghillies meeting attended by around 25 full time Ghillies, was both Informal and informative.  Speakers included - Full time Spey Fishery Board [SFB] hatchery manager, Mr Jimmy Woods, Resident SFB Biologist, Mr Bob Laughton and SFB Director, Mr Roger Knight.   

Hatchery manager, Mr Jim Woods, spoke about the need to keep the hatchery as it provided a great “Back up” to the rivers natural production of Salmon and Sea Trout.   He informed everyone of the importance of releasing hatchery fish close to the part of the river in which each adult was captured and it was the policy of the SFB to do just that.   He felt the hatchery was one cog in a management wheel and its importance could not be overstated.    When asked about the time of year most fish are planted out he told the meeting, the vast majority, 70%, were planted back into the river during the month of August, and that only 5% were planted in the month of June.   When pushed on whether this could be done later, he explained that, due to cleaning the hatchery prior to new fish coming in, it must be empty before the end of August. Jimmy is a real enthusiast and will gladly show anyone around the Sandbank hatchery by appointment.

SFB Biologist, Mr Bob Laughton told the meeting, at around 40,000, the stock level was more than adequate to maintain the stock.   Using a fairly simple analogy he suggested that 20,000 adults would produce a similar number of smolts to 100,000 adults.   This forms the basis of most scientific thinking with regard to salmon stocks.   This figure was viewed with scepticism by some Ghillies, who pointed out that it was little more than guesswork.   Although the point was taken, it was explained that the figure was an estimate based on fish counter data and rod catches between Orton and Arndilly.

It would seem the chances of recapture decreases as the season progresses.   Figures shown by Mr Laughton suggested a 20% recapture rate of fish caught between February and April, whilst the figure fell to 5% for fish entering the river after May.   Basically, fewer fish in the system equates to higher rates of recapture.   A graph showing results of a radio tracking project carried out in the late 1980s, suggested that “true” spring fish which enter the river between Feb and April spawn at the top half of the river.   Although not shown on this graph, closer examination of this report shows clearly that the much more valuable multi sea winter [MSW] fish entering the river during May and June tend to spawn in the main-stem or lower tributaries.   Mr Laughton also felt, in the 50s and 60s, when spring fish made up the major part of the stock, a large number would have spawned in the main-stem which reinforces the theory that salmon adapt very quickly to change and will colonise any part of the river suitable for spawning.   The full file can be found in my blog

Brae Water Head Ghillie, Mr Colin Reid voiced a concern over the general lack of fly-life on the river.   This would seem well founded as many people are talking about the same thing.   It would seem that certain types of fly-life remain fairly abundant, whilst others have declined. Various reasons for this have been put forward but far too many to mention here.   Readers can find out more about this on my blog. 

SFB Director, Mr Roger Knight up-dated everyone on the number of salmon caught during 2009. The official figure ended at 8626, with a return rate of 77% or 6640 fish.   The board are also pursuing the possibility of encouraging estates to practice “Fly only” downstream of the Grantown bridge.   This provoked concerns amongst some Ghillies that things were becoming overly regulated. Chairman of the Board, Mr Alan Williams, stressed that it was nothing but an idea and not a concrete proposal. 

Sea trout numbers, although up on last year, still give cause for concern, although Ghillies had reported large numbers of Finnock [juvenile sea trout] in the river. This may bode well for the coming season, time will tell.

The matter of Water Abstraction in the Aviemore area was also discussed.   The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency [SEPA] and Scottish Natural Heritage [SNH] have given the go ahead for boreholes to be situated south of Aviemore.    These will pull as much as 2 million gallons per day from the ground to supply the ever growing town of Aviemore.   The SFB have worked extremely hard with all organisations involved and must be commended for this, but negotiations have been difficult to say the least.   Bringing water to a town is politically more important than salmon.   Any abstraction of water will undoubtedly have some affect on the river, but only time will tell just how much. 

Finally, I would like to mention the passing of one of the Spey’s Best Known Ghillies.   Mr Willie Main spent most of his life on the Delfur beat working for the Mountain Family and had a great gift of knowledge, not only of the river, but all country matters.   He once told me he should write a book, I really wish he got round to it.   A Spey legend and gentleman full of good humour. 

February Prospects
We are in the grip of the coldest winter since 1981, as the snow piles up and the frost takes a grip my thoughts are of opening day and where the fish are likely to be? It has always been said that the lower half of the river will fish best given this particular conditions. The Brae and Gordon Castle Water will, I believe provide a great chance of some early fish. Anyone wishing to fish a lovely piece of fly water should contact estate factor, Mr David Duncan at factor@gleco.co.uk 
If the river is running low and clear on opening day, don’t be scared to drop down in fly size after lunch. The main thing is presenting the fly at the correct speed and depth. “The Swallow” is a fly which has always done well for me at this time.
Ian Gordon 
Speycaster