Phew…

I was on River Dee last week - fishing spring salmon. I’ve been there before, but never in the spring, “only” late summer. I’ve never had a real bucket list as such, but when I got the opportunity to join a good team earlier this year, I struck immediately. When I caught my forst danish spring salmon, it took a while for me to realise that I’ve caught one of the legendary, elusive “easter salmon as they’re called in Denmark. Something I’d only read about in old books, something that until 2007 would be considered nearly impossible to do. As a friend says, you have a wear or three cars and 10 pairs of wellies before you even get the chance. It sounds like a cliché, but I feel grateful to have caught one.

As we were packing to leave Scotland, I was a little annoyed in myself for only having caught one salmon. And let me just add, I worked hard for them. Over 7km of walking in average per day and most of that was wading. It took a few days, but now I’m really grateful to have caught one of the mythical, Scottish springers. Especially in a time where salmon runs are rapidly decreasing.

I got the opportunity to fish two stretches. If the Gourami Gods had been given the task of creating the best salmon water possible, this is what they would have come up with. Maybe they did? Except maybe the Boat Pool. I have mixed feeling about it. It’s where I caught the salmon, but I also fell in - twice. Let me add the water was 8 degrees C. The first time I was under. As in under. I kept my head up, but everything else was under. Luckily our cottage was close, so I could walk back, dry my fleece by the wood stove and I was back in the river (Boat Pool) an hour and a half later. The second time only my arms were wet, so a change of jacket was enough. I’ve fallen in before and I’ll pass one good piece of advice here: Let go of the rod! I did have to make a short run for it, but I’d rather keep myself safe than trying to hold on to a piece of gear.

After a few bad experiences many years ago, I made myself the promise of never travelling again with people I don’t know. I did this time. The trip was organised by a very good friend, who holds the six rods on the beats (we had more water than one man could cover in a day), so I didn’t worry much about the remaining company. And I had absolutely reason to do so. It was excellent and I believe friendships were made and I’ll see them all again next year, because I was offered the rod again, so I took it.

At the head of every beat was a small hut, well equipped with a gas stove for tea, coffee or a hot meal.

A couch for a nap and chairs and table to keep things civilised. Our grille was Sean Stanton, whom I can thoroughly recommend. He know every inch of Carlogie and Ballogie. The season over there is 225 days and he’s in the water every day. He’s very service minded. If you’re not fast, he’ll grab your rod and you won’t get it back until you’re in the river, ready for the first cast. I’m not really comfortable with that, but his knowledge and guiding gave a 5 years head start in understanding the pools.

The Dee is shallow and fast and even when the water’s still cold, floating line is often good. Not on Cairnton, where he fished, but that means I got to fish floating lines for salmon on the very river it was first done. A. H. E. Wood and his greased silk lines. I might bring one next year and a two hand split cane. He did fish 12’ single hand cane rods, but my arms and wrists are not up for that. Next year I’ll see if I can visit the Cairnton beat and his hut.

We were on the right bank, which is the “wrong side” for a right handed caster. Luckily I’m almost as good/bad on both sides, so it was fine for me. Fishing floating lines, I really tuned in my snake rolls. Some consider it a fancy cast, but it’s so effective. Line of the dangle, an anti clockwise circle, one touch of the leader, a forward cast and the fly is swinging again. It’s fun too and infinitely easier with a floating line.

The impressions from last week has sunk in, I still remember every pool clearly and the rain’s stopped, so I’ll stop writing before this gets even longer.

Have a great weekend (Giro D’ Italia kicks off later today, so I’ll be tying flies and watching bike racing)!

Lars

PoD: Myself fishing the Middle Gannet

Disclaimer: I payed for the fishing, but if you ever get the chance, do so yourself and try some of these pools.