Description
Firstly, the River Deveron, offers some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the UK. In fact, the river ranks 5th in Scotland for numbers of fish caught.
The River Deveron is 61 miles long, from source to estuary. Starting in the Ladder Hills in the Grampian range, it transforms to a fast flowing stream, later joined by the tributaries, the Alt Deverron and the Black Water.
Secondly, the river passes through the market town of Huntly, and downstream of Huntly Castle it is joined by its tributary, the River Bogie. Then, the river’s second main tributary, the River Isla flows in at the Junction Pool on the Avochie beat. Finally, downstream from Rothiemay bridge, the Deveron gradually becomes a slower flowing and bigger river, winding its way to the Moray Firth.
Generally, Salmon fishing is at its best, after the river levels have risen, and then settle back. Therefore, the River Deveron is classed as a spate river.
Trophy River Deveron Trout
Firstly, throughout the river, you can enjoy good trout fishing. Additionally, the upper river is more streamy and classic fly water. With a lot of pocket water and streamy glides.
The lower sections can be slower, holding big trout, and streamer fishing is highly effective, especially during the Spring smolt run. During this period, it’s an opportunity to try streamer fishing in the ambush points where smolts descend the river.
As you can see from the trout below, there are specimen trout in the Deveron. Typically, they move up the river in Autumn to spawn, and descend back down the river in spring, following the smolts on their way to the ocean. Moreover, big fish can also be taken on dry fly. The prolific fly hatches in spring and summer evening can trigger feeding frenzies. As a result, bigger trout, normally elusive can be captured.
What is the best fishing tackle for fishing the River Deveron?
Ordinarily, an 11 or 12 ft double hand spey rod is ideal for salmon fishing. The Deveron can be covered with a single hand rod, but spey rods will give you a better chance of success when playing a fish. Generally a 9ft 4 weight rod is the best choice for dry fly fishing for trout. However Euronymphing is highly effective between hatches, and a 10ft 2 weight rod is perfect for accuracy and presenting small nymphs. Equally, a 9ft 7 or 8 weight is best for streamer fishing, and don’t fish anything less than 10lb tippet. Maxima Chameleon is best, as it has elasticity and matches the rivers slightly peaty colour tinge.
Sage Experiences Outfitter – try and enjoy Sage Fly Rods
Alba Game Fishing is now a Sage Experiences Outfitter. This means we enjoy a close working relationship as a valued partner of Sage and Fly Water Travel.
As a specially selected group of elite outfitters we’ve committed to offering our guests onsite access to first-class Sage rods/ reels and Rio fly lines that has been carefully curated to ideally suit our respective fisheries.
You will have flagship top end Sage rods and reels matched with Rio Fly Lines for your fishing experience with us.
This means we are in partnership and endorsed by Sage, and you will get to fish with Sage flagship tackle. So we carry 13ft and 14ft Sage Spey rods, and also R8 trout rods. Both in the Core and Classic versions.
Biggest fly caught salmon in the UK
Without doubt, the Deveron is one of the best salmon rivers in Scotland. It’s a real hidden gem. Some consider the River Deveron a smaller version of the River Spey, as the two rivers run close and parallel together to the Moray Firth. Let’s not also forget, it is one of the finest wild brown trout rivers in Europe.
Meanwhile, the record for the fly caught salmon stills stands at 61lb caught in 1924 by Mrs Clementina “Tiny” Morison. In fact, the original salmon cast, (seen below) is displayed proudly in the entrance of Avochie Estate Office and the River Deveron and Bogie river trust. .
Salmon Beats on the River Deveron
For clarity, the term salmon beat, refers to a named stretch of river. In fact, the river beats are under different ownership and all overseen by the River Association. Therefore, the governing association will determine how many rods can fish, according to the length of your beat. As a result fishing rights are fairly divided with the various owners. In conclusion, overcrowding never happens, and guests have freedom and space to relax and fish.
Upper River Deveron Beats
- Aswanley and Invermarkie
- Huntly Burgh
- Lynebain Fishings 2 rods, double bank, two rods
- Upper Castle – 0.75 mile, single bank, 2 rods
- Lower Castle Beat 1.25 miles, double bank, 4 rods
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Middle River Beats
- Conniecleught beat 2 miles, double bank, 4 rods
- Avochie beat – 2.5 miles, double banks, 5 rods
- Rothiemay Castle –
- Corniehaugh –
- Stobiehaugh
- Mayen 1 mile both bank (as Stobiehaugh)
- Stobiehaugh – 1 mile both bank (as Mayen)
- Turtory beat – 1.5 miles long, 2-3 rods
- Glennie – 2 rod beat
- Ardmealie
- Euchrie left bank, approx 1 mile – 3 rods
- Kinnairdy Castle – 1 mile, left bank, 2 rods
- Marnoch Lodge beat 2.25 miles, 5 rods
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Lower River Beats
- Upper Netherdale beat 1
- Upper Netherdale beat 2
- Laithers – 2 miles, right bank,
- Carnousie/Ardmiddle –
- Muiresk
- Forglen – 4 miles, double bank, 6 rods
- Dunlugas – 2 miles, 4 rods,
- Mountblairy 2.25 miles, 4 rods, left bank (biggest salmon 61lb caught here)
- Scattery –
- Eden – 2 miles, 6 rods
- Lower Inverichnie (small beat 3 rods, 3 named pools)
- Mountcoffer beat
- Wrack – 3 miles double bank fishing
- Scattery
River Deveron guides
In conclusion, we have three professional fishing guides based on the Deveron, Kevin, Scott and Alan, they live and breathe the River Deveron.
In addition, two other guides are available, that live in Aberdeenshire.
For convenience, we can provide premium salmon and trout fishing tackle, Orvis breathable Waders, a choice of Rio and Barrio fly lines, and poly leaders, all carefully balanced to work oaths river. Moreover, all the flies are hand crafted by our Scottish guides, and are sought after and highly effective. In fact if you speak to your guide nicely, he will let you steal some from his box to try in America!
