A Dram of Speyside’s finest heralds start of new season

Mike Clarks Fish from Upper Arndilly.


First Fish of the Season Caught at Orton by Evie Glass


Group of Keen Fishers about to let battle commence on D Beat Tulchan


Elgin Piper Mr Alan Sinclair and The Rev Shuna Dicks.




Alan Sinclair and Ishbel Grant

John Anderson Ghillie A Beat Tulchan.



So, once again with the 11th of February came the Official opening of The River Spey 2011. As has been customary over the past decade, the official event was jointly sponsored by Walkers of Aberlour and Glenfarclas Whisky, the presence of each providing those present with Cake, Shortbread and a dram. A fitting start to the fishing season here in the heart of Speyside.
The river was officially opened by Mr Brian Doran and blessed by the Rev Shuna Dicks, who’s carefully chosen words, as always, perfectly fitted the occasion.
The ceremony was completed by Mrs Ishbel Grant, who, to the cheers of many, but bewilderment of others, marked the occasion by emptying the contents of bottle of finest Glenfarclas into the river. Sacrilege to a few, but a fitting start to the season here on Speyside!

The very fitting "Music of the Spey" was expertly piped by Elgin Piper, Mr Alan Sinclair.
Amazingly, for the second year in succession, the first fish of the season was caught on the same beat and landed by the same Ghillie. The fish, estimated at around 13lbs, was caught by Mrs Evie Glass, the beat was Orton and the Ghillie, Andrew Hall. Although returned, this fish netted Mrs Glass the Spey Quaich, along with a Walkers Luxury Hamper and bottle of very rare Glenfarclas Whisky b. Andrew, was presented with a bottle of 12 year old Glenfarclas.
The second of the three opening day fish was caught on Delagyle by Mr David Smiley. The fish estimated at around 11lbs was carefully released by beat Ghillie Willie Mearns. David was presented with a bottle of 40 year old Glenfarclas whilst Willie the Ghillie, was presented with another bottle of 12 year old. The third and final fish of the day was caught by Mr Mike Clark on a Favourite beat of mine –Upper Arndilly. Mike was presented with a special selection of flies tied by Dee Ghillie Mr Sean Stanton.
So, that’s us underway again. Keep an eye on this and the page of Speyghillie, Mr Jock Royan, for updates on how the river is fishing.