Al Peakes is a fly fishing guide and co-founder of TwinPeakes. As well as giving casting lessons, he leads trips around Scotland and is an ambassador for the Atlantic Salmon Trust and the River Dee Trust, working to enhance the fish stocks that have made Scotland one of the world’s great fishing destinations. He told SLMan what he’d lay on for a few mates wanting to tap into a rich tradition… 

Concept

The river Dee rises in the Cairngorms and flows through Aberdeenshire to reach the North Sea at Aberdeen. It’s one of the most famous salmon fishing rivers in the world – it’s not sluggish, it’s got a steep gradient and lots of streamy water that suits fly fishing really well – and one of the prettiest. There are enough beats that anyone who books a little bit in advance can usually get one, and because the Dee rises and falls quickly, the Scottish weather doesn’t disrupt too many days each season. Historically, that season began with an early spring run in February and March, but that has changed a bit – there are more fish in July now. Whenever you go, though, there are excellent accommodation options.

Highlights

Let’s start with that accommodation. The classic, family run Kildrummy Inn has its own private beat on the Don. In May, a lot of fish are caught close to Braemar – where you’ll find the Fife Arms (more on that below) – and the nearby Balmoral beats also come into their own at this time. The Marcliffe, right on the Dee close to Aberdeen, Banchory Lodge and Tor-Na-Coille are comfortable options with a strong sense of place. A bigger group could take over the 12 bedrooms of Candacraig.

Wherever you choose to base yourself, trips tend to begin with a spey casting masterclass that might last 45 minutes. Once you’ve learnt the movements, you can put flies on your line and head to the pools where the salmon will be lying – there’s usually a guide for every two guests.

Scotland’s fly fishermen traditionally take an hour’s break for lunch – to give the pools a rest as much as themselves. As well as serving food, TwinPeakes will set up a Yeti bar for you to enjoy a beer or glass of wine at your fishing spot. On the longest days of the year, there’s a chance for an evening session after an early dinner – the final 45 minutes of daylight can be a great time to catch salmon.

Three days of fishing is often the optimal amount for beginners. More experienced groups could combine salmon fishing on the Dee with a couple of days of wild trout fishing on the nearby river Don. Salmon season opens on 1st February and finishes on 15th October; April to July is prime time. Wild trout season runs from 15th March to 6th October.

Al says...

“When you’re fishing, you’re in nature, slowing down and being quiet. Your senses are heightened. You see everything. Otters have swum past me, I’ve watched kingfishers hunting, and I’ve had osprey dive down and take a fish, and a herd of deer cross the river in the evening light. If you’ve got a problem, the solution is to go fishing. And if you’ve got a bigger problem, go for a longer trip.

“You can choose what you want to get out of fishing. It’s a sport you can do until you’re old, but you can also turn it into a wilderness adventure. Walk the whole beat between spots, have lunch under a tree, find a great little ninja hole – climb down a tree, get in the water and try to get a cast in from there.

“Fishing can be hard to get into if you don’t have a friend or family member to introduce you, but really it’s for everyone. Our grandad taught my brother and I to fish when we were growing up. We set up TwinPeakes to open the door for others. Jump on a flight to Aberdeen, grab a hire car, and we’ll lend you all the gear you need and take you out. At the end of the trip, once you’ve been guided for a few days, you should be ready to go fishing on your own.”

For more info & inspiration, head to TwinPeakesFlyfishing.com