Craig Macdonald is now the ghillie on the Headinch & Cambus O May beat on the river Dee in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. In this video on the Waterside and Ferrar Beat he tells us about a couple of different salmon fishing tactics he likes to use when fishing in the early spring season. Craig likes to use 14′ rods on the …

TOSH – NED RITCHIE One of the Dee’s most popular flies was born on the Spey and in this article, first published in Trout & Salmon, I look at the origins of this wonderful pattern.  Dressing The dressing varies and going by the samples we have of Ned Ritchie’s originals, which were a plain long black wing, it is clear …

The Willie Gunn is a much-loved fly on the Dee. In the article below, first published in Trout and Salmon magazine, I take a look at the origins of this amazing pattern. Tag: oval gold or silver Body: oval gold or silver rib over black floss/ flat gold tinsel Wing: equal parts mixed black, orange and yellow Head: Black or …

The early months of the season are a special time to be on the river. Conditions can be challenging with low temperatures and gusty, icy winds. The fish at this time are fewer and farther between than any of us would like, but as in so many things, scarcity increases desirability.  If restricted to one fish a season, most of …

26 miles of prime Atlantic salmon fishing in one of Scotlands most remote and tranquil fishing rivers. The Thurso is perhaps one the most prolific salmon rivers in Scotland, enjoying a long productive season, from as early as the 11th January to 5th October. Fish can be caught during every month, but the main spring run really begins in March …

1 – Rod Tip Path – The Fly Line will always follow the path of the rod tip!! – It is important as it controls Loop Shape (Open / Narrow Loop) along with providing positive tracking for accurate casting. In most cases a narrow loop is more desirable, A narrow loop is more aerodynamically efficient than a large open loop. 

POWER APPLICATION – Power should be applied at the appropriate time during the stroke. – Smooth acceleration to a stop. – Lefty Kreh describes it as “start slow finish fast” – Just enough power to allow the fly to nicely turn over. No More, No Less 

STROKE – The stroke is variable to the amount of line past the rod tip. The stroke is the distance that your hand moves during the casting cycle – SHORT LINE – SHORT STROKE – LONG LINE – LONG STROKE Casting Arc – The casting arc is variable to the amount of line part the rod tip. The casting arc …

TIMING – It is essential in overhead casting to allow the backwards loop to turnover fully before executing the forward cast to ensure tension throughout. – Waiting too long will result in gravity and the line becoming slack. – Casting too soon there will be no tension to bend the rod against and will result in a round crack or …

SLACK LINE / TENSION – Slack line should be kept to an absolute minimum during the casting cycle – The rod should always be under tension at all times throughout the cast. Start with the rod tip down at the water, and retrieve any slack line until you have tension before beginning the casting stroke.