The “Castle Beat” comprises half a mile of double bank fishing for two rods, situated to the north of Huntly where the River Bogie meets the River Deveron. It is easily accessible with an adequate fishing hut and well maintained riverbank. The beat has ten named pools and runs which are easily fished with little wading. The hut is equipped with a two ring gas stove.

The River Deveron is a good all round salmon and sea trout river. Up to 1999 guests of the Castle Hotel, Huntly, fished the beat regularly and then a change of ownership of the hotel returned the beat to a purely private one. Since 2000 the beat has only been lightly fished by the owners and their friends on an ad hoc basis so the catch records are not representative of its true potential. However, up to 1999 the beat averaged 30-40 salmon per year and a similar number of sea trout. The Best year was 1992 with 82 sea trout. However with light fly only fishing by two rods the 2005 season produced 31 salmon and 25 sea trout, with only 5 salmon and 2 sea trout retained. The first salmon was caught in May. The grilse run is in July and August and the main salmon run is in September and October.

Fishing Rules

Fishing is strictly fly only throughout the season. Voluntary “catch & release” is encouraged. If there are plenty of fish in the river a voluntary 2 fish per rod per week is also encouraged. All sea trout should be returned.

Fishing Advice

Since the current owners have owned the Castle Beat (from 1991) an accurate record of all salmon & sea trout caught has been maintained. As well as the size of the fish a record has been kept of water height, water colour and temperature, and the type and size of fly used. Using these records and experience the following advice can be offered as a guide.

Sea Trout take best late evening and during the night (as long as the water is clear) and early morning as dawn breaks. When the water is clear enough it is rare to use a fly larger than a No. 10 and usually the best fishing is in June through to August with a No. 12, 14 or even No. 16. If the air is cold it is worth trying an intermediate or sink tip, but usually a floater will produce good results. Best sea trout patterns when water is low & clear are Teal Blue & Silver, Silver Stoat’s Tail, Butcher, Dunkeld & Fiery Brown. When the water is slightly coloured use a Mallard & Claret.

Salmon Early in the season use a sinking line when cold but when water warms to mid 40 F then move to an intermediate line or sink tip but remember the Deveron is a small fly river and as long as the water is clear April fish can be caught on a No. 6 fly. As soon as 48F or thereabouts is reached then use a floating line. Fly sizes: under 40F 1.5”-2” waddington or tube, 40-46F No. 4 & 6, 46-50F No. 6 & 8, over 50F No. 8 down to No. 14 in low, warm water. Best salmon fly patterns: Willie Gunn – early with a sunk line, Munro Killer, Tosh, Allys Shrimp, Stoat’s Tail, Silver Stoat’s Tail – very good in evening, Castle Killer – the beat owner’s very own pattern which works well all over Scotland. Best times: when water is clear from mid-May onwards, last hour of daylight and first hour of daylight.

Tackle Spring and Autumn salmon a 12’-14’ fly rod is best but during the summer a single handed 9’6”- 11’ rod will be adequate for both salmon, grilse & sea trout. Please do not fish with leaders lighter than necessary as it often happens that a good salmon can take a smaller fly when sea trout fishing. Generally 8lbs is the lightest leader recommended but 6lbs can be used with care and very small flies (No. 14 & 16) in very low water.

This fly was invented by using a mixture of the best “killing” qualities of many famous flies. First used in 1993 on the Castle Beat it has since proved itself an outstanding fly on many rivers a different times of the year by catching many salmon eg 10 salmon out of 11 for one week on the Spey in 1994. On the Deveron it has caught fish regularly after they have refused other flies. Smaller sizes are good for sea trout.

Dressing:

Tag Scarlet Floss
Tail Topping
Body Rear half Gold Tinsel, front half Black Floss
Rib Gold
Throat Hot Orange Hackle with Blue Guinea Fowl over (or Jay)
Wing 2/3 Black, 1/3 Yellow Squirrel mixed, tied “long” (twice body length), few strands of Crystal Hair
Head Red

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