Beaten by the heat

Thanks to an incredibly dry May, Arthur Oglesby reveals that he is struggling to find much fishing to offer to his incoming customers

- Arthur Oglesby

I have already brought into focus the wide variety of climates in the transition from winter to spring. During my six-week stay in Grantown-on-Spey, it is possible to experience four seasons in one week, but no two years are ever the same.

This one has been noteworthy for the absence of rain during my five weeks here. As predicted, the river continues to shrink. It is reported that large numbers of salmon and sea-trout are being netted in Spey Bay and that poachers are at work on some of the deeper pools. This does not bode well for the sport fisherman, the man who brings much prosperity to Strathspey. 

It is high time that authorities took action on this cockeyed situation and that this action is seen to be in effect. We have run our salmon fisheries on a hit-and-miss basis for too long, and no longer is it good enough.

Wily brown trout 

If the salmon fishing has been dour, I have had a great deal of fun seeking the wily brown trout of the Spey. Already, I have reported how my team of North Country trout flies took me a bright, fresh salmon, but the real challenge I’ve been facing has been attempting to outwit some of the larger Spey trout and bring them to the net.

Many of these occupy the same lies sought by the salmon, and I have had some great fun with my singlehanded 10ft rod, light line and leader. One outing got me a lovely brace of brownies, each weighing 2 ¼ lb. Both contained the partially digested remains of salmon parr and are better out of the water.