Salmon Flies

The Park Shrimp

2012-01-20T19:16:00.001Z

Here are a few pics of my Park Shrimp on 3/4" tube and s7 double.....enjoy

Calvin's Fox

2012-01-15T14:49:00.000Z

I have been playing around with the colours of Calvin's Shrimp and made up a fox wing version.

Spring Snaeldas

2012-01-11T00:30:00.000Z

The Snaelda has been carried around the salmon world by Icelandic fishers. It is popular as a heavy water fly. The ones shown combine a brass body, with a tungsten cone, which adds a tremendous action to the fly.

Black & Yellow Snaelda

Dee Snaelda

German Snaelda

Perfect Balance Tubes

2012-01-03T10:39:00.001Z

Here is a neat trick for balancing traditional style spring flies like the Willie Gunn. Get hold of some brass bottle tubes- these are from Veniard- and add an aluminium extension. I have these available to buy in my shop- there are only a few left.

Monkey Magic

2011-12-17T14:06:00.000Z

The Monkey is one of the most popular spring flies of recent times. It is hugely popular most places and especially so on the Dee. Here are a few to whet the appetite.

These are now available from my shop.

Dee Monkey

White Monkey

Blue Ghost Monkey

Tummel Monkey

Sunburst Willie Gunn

2011-11-18T12:03:00.001Z

I have a hot new Willie Gunn variant for sale!! Its called the Sunburst Willie Gunn. This beautiful fly is dressed with the finest silver fox and yellow and orange badger hackles.

I shall let the pictures speak for themselves!

I have a limited number available from my shop here on Salmon Flies. They are dressed on s6 Loop Doubles and Loop bottle tubes.
ross@macdonaldsalmonflies.co.uk

Jim Coates with a 25lb Litza fish taken on a Sunburst Willie Gunn.

Calvin's Shrimp on the Tyne

2011-11-16T22:34:00.004Z

My pals Steve and Jenny have enjoyed another successful trip to the Bywell beat on the Tyne. Back in March the had 13 springers over three days, which is a fantastic score. The Park Shrimp did the damage then. More recently they had some more outstanding sport with big Tyne fish on Calvin's Shrimp, tied by Steve who is a very good tyer.

ross@macdonaldsalmonflies.co.uk

Hi Ross

Have attached a couple of pics of the 20 and 21lb fish caught at Bywell on the Calvin Shrimp. Vitually all the fish we have now caught at Bywell in the last 2 visits were on this fly giving a total of 18 fish between us.

The biggest one was a superb fish and gave a 40 minute fight with Gary Hillary and Steve advising and helping throughout! The fish Steve has was a 14lb - he also had an 18 and a 15. Not bad given the water was so low.

The Calvin is a true success story!

Regards

Jenny Cooper

A Big Teviot Fish for Dr Phil Fairchild taken on a Park Shrimp

2011-11-05T17:25:00.000Z

I recived an email from Phil this week, with pics of a 46"/est 35lb fish from the Teviot. It was taken on one of my Park Shrimps. Well done Phil.

Dee Trust Auction

2011-10-31T18:15:00.001Z

I am supporting the Dee Trust once again with a special Macd Selection of 24 flies in a presentation mahogany fly box, made specially for the auction by Geoff Coates, father of Trust member Jim Coates. A tremendous way to support the Dee and catch a lot of fish!!!!

More info on the auction below........

River Dee Trust 2011 Auction

Friends of the River Dee,

We want to let you know that the River Dee Trust is holding a series of fundraising activities during the close season starting with an online auction to raise funds to support and further our river restoration work initiatives.

Following successful delivery of the E.U funded 5 year Cass Life Project where we were awarded the accolade Best of the Best by EU Delegates, we have been encouraged to start a £2.2 million programme of works and need to source seed corn funds to access full grant support.

The auction, with around 40 lots can be found at www.riverdee.org/auction/auctionwelcome.asp The auction will start at 9 am on Tue 1^st November and finish 5 pm Wed 30^th November.

Following on from the online auction we shall be offering a range of outstanding lots for people to submit sealed bids during December, January and February culminating with a special evening’s event in London.

There will be a glossy brochure produced for these prestigious items with full details and specifications of the lots on offer from very kind global benefactors supporting our vital work.

Some of the prestigious lots include:

A weeks fishing for two rods with full board at the Rio Grande in Argentina in 2013 where sea trout under 15lbs don’t even make it to the lodge catch books.

A weeks fishing on the River Naver in Scotland next spring with accommodation-a truly wonderful Highland wild salmon river

4 days fishing for two rods on the Gaula in June with accommodation, donated and hosted by TV Fishing personality & Guideline Pro Team member Matt Hayes, who will act as your guide

A full weeks fishing with accommodation and full board at the Yokanga River in Russia in August with full Helicopter programme

4 days fishing for two fisherman on the Ranga River in Iceland with full board and accommodation

A weeks fishing for an angler at the Reisa River in Arctic Norway with accommodation fishing for giant salmon

Fishing for two for 3 days on the Mörrum river in Sweden in September fishing for giant sea trout

A 3 day fishing trip with full board and accommodation to Amhuinnsuidhe in the Outer Hebrides with Salmo Fishing’s guide included

And some stunning original paintings from renowned artists which include Howard Butterworth and Chris Sharp and some rare limited edition signed books from Orri Vigfusson & Ken Sawada

Please look around our website – www.riverdee.org , view our most recent annual report or our most recent survey bulletins to find out more about our work. The proceeds from this auction will go to further our work in delivering our dynamic education programme , supporting our up-and-coming riparian tree planting project in the Upper Dee and help fund further easements of (man made) barriers to fish migration.

Happy bidding!

Regards,

The River Dee Trust

Calvin's Shrimp

2011-09-19T20:38:00.002+01:00

It has been a good summer and backend for Calvin's Shrimp throughout the UK and Ireland. This one is dressed on a 1/2" copper tube.

What's Better than a Park Shrimp??

2011-08-14T17:38:00.003+01:00

That was the email I received recently from Simon Roper. Simon is a regular in Iceland and Russia and was one of the first rods to use the Park Shrimp at Park back in 2007.

Hi Ross, just got back from Iceland today. Fishing was good although the water was often colured and dirty. What fly is better than the Park Shrimp in very dirty water? Answer below:-)

My guide wanted me to use a bigger fly in the dirty water, I didn't want to take the Park Shrimp off, so we fished two at once and caught two fish!

Original Park Shrimps are only available from me directly

ross@macdonaldsalmonflies.co.uk

Grilse Flies

2011-07-15T16:47:00.015+01:00

ross@macdonaldsalmonflies.co.uk

Its time for small flies, light rods and long leaders....the grilse are in! I have a range of proven grilse flies for sale now: the Lochy Shrimp, Editor, Crathie, Black Brahan, Silver Stoat and the Sunray Shadow and many more. I dress these on salar doubles.
Lochy Shrimp £2.99
Editor £2.75 Black Brahan,Munro's Killer, Silver Stoat & Sheila £2.50 (£2.75 with JC)

Sunray Shadow £2.99

Premier River Dee Fishing Week

2011-07-13T16:51:00.000+01:00

A truly magnificent opportunity awaits 2 fishermen who wish to come and
experience the cream of River Dee fishing, and in the process help with
the conservation and restoration work of the River Dee Trust, and
encouraging newcomers to angling through AFYD, the Angling For Youth
Development charity. We have secured a week's prime fishing and
accommodation to go to auction to secure funds for the River Dee Trust &
AFYD. The auction will run until closing date of 31st August with the
highest bids visible on the FishPal website auction page. Bids can be
submitted for this fabulous week online at the FishPal Auction page
http://www.fishpal.com/FishingServices/Auctions/?dom=Pal
<http://www.fishpal.com/FishingServices/Auctions/?dom=Pal>
alternatively written bids can be submitted to River Dee Trust, Mill of
Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5LA

Fishing at Lower Crathes

The Premier River Dee Fishing Week comes as a complete lot comprising
the following:

12th/13th September 2 days fishing for two rods at Lower Crathes and
Upper Durris

14th/15th September 2 days fishing for two rods at Dinnet

16th/17th September 2 days fishing for two rods at Crathie

11th/12th September 2 nights' accommodation at Tor Na Coille Hotel,
Banchory including breakfast

13TH/14TH September 2 nights' accommodation at the Loch Kinord Hotel,
Dinnet including breakfast

15th/16th September 2 nights' accommodation at the Darroch Learg Hotel,
Ballater including breakfast

Fishing at Dinnet

These beats provide a wonderful opportunity for anglers to experience
truly world class fishing potential with beats that are arguably the
very best that the River Dee has on offer. Last year for instance Lower
Crathes rods landed 114 salmon in September, Dinnet 35 and Crathie 92
which gives an indication of how prolific these beats can be. The River
Dee Trust is indebted to Arni Baldursson, Edward Humphrey and Simon
Blackett for generously donating these days to the River Dee Trust. The
River Dee Trust would also like to thank Phillip J Fleming & the Tor Na
Coille Hotel, Andrew and Jenny Cox & The Loch Kinord Hotel and Nigel and
Fiona Franks & The Darroch Learg Hotel for providing bed & breakfast to
the visiting anglers during their weeks stay on Deeside.

Fishing at Crathie

The lucky winner of the Premier River Dee Fishing Week auction lot will
be notified at the close of auction and information about the week's
fishing week will be supplied. As this fishing is not generally
available it would attract a premium and a guide price for this would be
in the region of £4,000. Information about each of these beats can be
found on the fishery descriptions page on www.fishdee.co.uk
<http://www.fishdee.co.uk/> . Good luck to all bidders and thanks
for your anticipated support.

Ian G Scott

River Dee Trust-Chairman

A Good Day at Dinnet

2011-06-10T20:10:00.006+01:00

My pal Jim Coates, enjoys a well deserved break from the office....

It wasn’t a vintage start to the working week... the usual diet of sell more, spend less etc felt like it had been supersized!... then, things suddenly looked up as an email pinged up on my laptop screen.

'Jim, fancy a day at Dinnet in my week?' Carlsberg don’t do fishing invites,if they did they might involve a call from the owner of a prime Dee beat to come and have a cast during his week in May. I can’t think of a more mouth watering prospect than a day at Dinnet in late May. My day had been made.

Over the next few months I had happily drifted into anticipation many times, savouring the prospect of swinging a small fly through the fast clear pools. Its often fatal to look forward to a day too much, but I just couldn’t help it!

The day arrived and the water was at a nice fishing height, about 4 inches above summer level and clear as a bell.

I met Edward and Euan, the new ghillie, on Dinnet bridge just before 9am.

Euan fancied a full floater and a small Sheila fly; we headed up to the top of the beat to fish our way down the Dinnet bank to the lunch hut at Cobbles and 29. A lot of fishing and some gorgeous pools to cover. What more could a man ask for?

In truth I never really fancy a full floater, I’m not quite sure why but it never quite feels right to me. A combination of the strong wind, brand new line and my silly mental block with full floaters ended up producing some pretty ordinary casting. I felt a bit of a berk. I just wasn’t feeling confident and was cross with myself for not fishing well.

I may have been as giddy as a schoolgirl in the build up to my day, but I am at least wise enough to know that fishing is all about being confident and enjoying yourself. After we had fished the first couple of pools I told Euan I just didn’t feel I was doing things justice.

Euan empathised and we shared a Dee dram from the hip flask. “Let’s pop a wee poly leader on and try a different fly in another pool, I’ll show you the Haugh”. I could have been the whisky but I think it was Euans experience that put me at ease, knowing how to switch things up to get his rod performing. A short hop in the land rover and we were at the Haugh pool.

Much of my fishing enjoyment lies in the anticipation and I had been sat in the fly tying room the week before, playing about with a few new ideas... what would the perfect May fly be? I came up with an entirely derivative sort of a thing but I liked it. It embodied most of my favourite ingredients. A nice long mobile runner tail, a good proud hackle and a failsafe black, yellow and silver colour scheme, set off with just the right amount of flash and some jungle cock for good measure. In my eyes it couldn’t fail! I was really pleased when Euan homed in on the very fly and tied it on. The combination of fortifying dram, change of pool, poly leader and my new fly having been hand selected suddenly made me feel ten feet tall and I started to fish like I’d tried waders on before. More importantly I started to relax and the hours of anticipation gave way to pure enjoyment as I savoured every cast.

All was well with the world as we picked our way down the fast bouldery run leading into the Haugh pool proper.

Euan was telling me about his previous life at Gordon Castle on the Spey and his defection to Deeside when the reel suddenly interrupted the comfortable patter and a fresh Dee springer launched into the mid morning sunshine. The new fly was christened.

After lunch I was proudly shown the opposite bank by Deecatle’s expert ghillie, Colin. More delicious water was laid out at my mercy. With killer fly, poly leader, good lunchtime dram and a fish under my belt things were looking good. The awful wind was now at my at my back and causing a helpful ripple on the glide pool.

My contented daydreaming was interrupted when I noticed some underwater glinting; I know your already there, but it took me a few moments to figure out it was a pod of fresh springers. Let’s face it, it’s not the most common sight! It was about the same time the penny dropped that the line tightened. A lovely deep fish of about 8lbs was expertly netted by Colin. A quick photo, a souvenir sea louse removed and she was back on her way.

After the traditional 5’oclock rest at the main hut and some friendly banter with the other rods it was farewell to Euan and Colin and time for a final evening session. Cobbles pool is intimate, a brief pause in the heavy stream as the Dee negotiates a sharp bend. Its classic highland pool but with more than a passing resemblance to one of the northern Kola rivers. The hat trick came with a diesel built 9lb bar of silver. A tense 'hook and hold' right at the lip of the pool gave way to a spirited fight as he changed tactics and made for an escape via the run at the top of the pool.

I beached him, stole a quick photo and sent him on his way west. It was time for home. Thanks to Edward, Euan and Colin for a special day and memories to savour.

Lochy Shrimp

2011-04-26T18:09:00.005+01:00

The Lochy Shrimp emerged from a conversation I had with River Lochy Manager, John Veitch. John and I discussed what a 'Lochy fly' might look like and after agreeing on blue, yellow, silver and black, this is what I came up with. This excting new pattern is ideal for clear water and bright summer days.

Tag: oval silver
Tail: black arctic runner (short), pearl angel hair, yellow arctic runner.
Body: holo silver lite brite or flat holo silver (whichever you prefer) and oval silver rib.
Hackle: blue badger
Wing: JC tied in a 'V' over hackle
Head: red thread, clear varnish

Calvin's Shrimp

2011-04-12T13:50:00.010+01:00

I named this pattern after my son; this little gem is deadly for summer and autumn fish.

Dressing

Oval Gold tag

Tail: Short bunch of red arctic runner, red angel hair, long orange arctic runner, orange angel hair and magenta arctic runner as a splash of colour on top.

Body: Red seal's fur with yellow litebrite blended through it and a UTC Mirage rib- small on hooks med on doubles

Wing: Orange fox, JC

Hackle: Orange cock, with red badger over.

Head: UTC 70 Fl Fire Orange thread

A pair of Park Shrimps

2011-02-06T11:05:00.003Z

These are made with small Eumer brass cones. Light and lively in the stream.

Park Shrimp conehead

2011-02-06T11:04:00.001Z

Park Shrimp conehead

2011-02-06T10:49:00.003Z

A Park Shrimp conehead. The fly is aprroximately 2"/50mm in length from the cone to the tips of the tail.

Heather's Shrimp

2010-12-23T19:46:00.003Z

It might be Christmas, but I am thinking of Spring

Calvin's Shrimp swimming in the Tay

2010-12-08T22:34:00.002Z

Mairi's Shrimp

2010-08-05T21:08:00.000+01:00

This is my favourite fly! I first tied it about 6 years ago for my father. It has taken many fish- especially on the Thurso.

A Well Worn Mairi's Shrimp

2010-08-05T21:02:00.000+01:00

This wee gem has been kind to me recently!

River Dee Salmon from Park

2010-08-05T20:41:00.000+01:00

I had a very enjoyable day at Park last week and landed two fine salmon. One on the Park Shrimp and the other on Mairi's Shrimp- the wee size 13 caught me 5 fish last week!

Thurso Salmon on Mairi's Shrimp

2010-08-05T20:29:00.000+01:00

I had a few days on my favourite river, the Thurso. Despite low water and difficult overhed conditions I mangaged to take 5 salmon to 13lb. The killing fly was the Mairi's Shrimp, which accounted for 4 and the Calvin's which took the other. Here are a couple of grilse from Bt 9

Yokanga Salmon on a Park Shrimp

2010-08-05T20:18:00.000+01:00

I have been making quite a few Park Shrimps on Loop doubles for anglers visiting Russia. They have proved themselves and I am grateful for this picture taken by a very good angler Dr Phil Fairchild. This is one of many fish he took on the Park Shrimp during his sojourn to the Yokanga.

Park Shrimp

2010-06-24T21:46:00.000+01:00

I have been making quite a few Park Shrimps on Loop doubles recently; they seem to be a popular hook among anglers heading to the Kola.

2010-06-02T18:50:00.000+01:00

Turus a Bhradain Series 2

I finally get my 15 mins of fame (ok, 10mins).

Calvin's Shrimp gets a workout on my beloved Thurso

Thurso 1 May

2010-05-16T10:42:00.000+01:00

I started the month with a visit to my beloved Thurso. My friend Gordon and I fished beat 13 at the very top of the river. Conditions were ok, but for the dreaded east wind, which brings a chill to the river and usually results in putting the fish off the take. Mid-morning brought a change in conditions and some warmth. This resulted in Gordon hooking a good springer which threw the hook after several minutes. Here is Gordon in action in the Upper Bridge Pool.

Shortly after, I also hooked and lost a fish in the Upper Bridge following several minutes play. But things swung in my favour in the run out from the Lower Bridge Pool into the Weedy Pool when I hooked and landed a 9lb sea liced Salmon. The fish took a Park Shrimp fished on the dropper.

Commonty, River Dee, 14 May

2010-05-16T10:13:00.000+01:00

It has been a fine week on the Dee, with some 200 fish reported. I made a small contribution on Friday (14 May) with a couple of early running grilse and a sea trout, from the beautiful Commonty beat.

I fished a full floating line and a small Hairy Mary. As so often happens, a mild spell brought the fish on the take.

Gold Willie Gunn

2010-04-28T18:41:00.000+01:00

2010-04-14T20:32:00.000+01:00

I fished Carlogie on the Dee recently, as a guest of my good friend Ken Reid.

It is a fantastic beat and Head Ghillie Sean Stanton is great company and more importantly- put me onto a fish!

Spring Salmon Fishing on the River Dee

2010-02-27T10:28:00.000Z

February on the Dee has been difficult.

My friend Rory Campbell, after being grued off at Park, used the last of his sense of humour to capture the mood on the riverbank last week . I think he sums things up nicely.

Roll on March.

2010-02-22T17:52:00.000Z

THE GOLD WILLIE GUNN is a favourite of a great many anglers and who could blame them. Its the quintessential Scottish Spring fly. I have written a piece for Trout and Salmon (March 20210) on this and the Black and Yellow.

Anyone interested in my flies can reach me at rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Heather's Shrimp Salmon Fly

2010-01-23T10:24:00.000Z

Having named flies after mychildren, it was about time I named one after my lovely wife.

essentially, its black, silver and charteuse- and a touch yellow.

I am looking forward to trying it out on River Dee Spring Salmon.

Park Shrimp Salmon Fly

2009-12-22T15:19:00.000Z

The Park Shrimp is my baby.

There are copies all over the internet, but if you refuse to accept anything less than the very best, drop me a line.

Ross

rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Park Shrimp Salmon Fly

2009-12-12T23:27:00.001Z

Here is my Park Shrimp Salmon Fly dressed on Loop doubles.

Im quite taken with them on these bigger sizes, 4-8 and will be trying them when salmon fishing on the River Dee in the spring. No doubt if I get the opportunity I will fish for River Tay salmon, River Spey Salmon and and Thurso River salmon The Park Shrimp salmon flies in the picture are dressed on size 6 and are fairly heavy- in fact I was a bit surprised by their weight. I bet they work well in a strong stream.

Varzuga Salmon for Ken Reid

2009-10-27T13:43:00.000Z

Ken is the original Park Shrimp test pilot and continues to enjoy great success with my wee fly. This summer he travelled to the Varzuga for some tremendous sport, landing 55 salmon.

Park Shrimp Conehead

2009-10-27T13:33:00.000Z

And here is Henry's Park Shrimp Conehead that I made for him.

Gaula Salmon

2009-10-27T13:25:00.000Z

Here is Henry Giles once again. This time with a fine Gaula Salmon.

Picture courtesy of Charles Cook

Paul Young

2009-10-26T19:49:00.000Z

I did a flytying demo at Glasgow Angling Centre a few weeks back and had the great thrill of meeting Hooked's Paul Young.

Summer Fish at Park

2009-10-26T19:08:00.001Z

I was really pleased with this fish. Very bright July morning in the Cellar at Park. Fast sink tip and a size 13 Park Shrimp and netted by Head Ghillie Keith Cromar.

Nith salmon

2009-10-26T18:59:00.001Z

Henry Giles, Production Editor at

Trout and Salmon landed this fine Nith fish on a Park Shrimp Conehead

Calvin Shrimp Double

2009-09-02T17:35:00.000+01:00

These are now available.

Send me a message at

rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Calvin's Shrimp

2009-09-02T16:45:00.001+01:00

The Calvin Shrimp is an orange/red variant of the Park Shrimp- its simply a change of colour scheme, but the fly retains the movement and profile of the 'Parky'.

And it has been fishing well. I have had about a dozen fish on it and a few friends have likewise.

Check out Newtyle Ghillie Martin Ritchie's blog for some great footage of the Calvin swimming in the Tay. Backed up of course by a fish in Martin's net soon after.

http://newtyle-salmon-fishings.blogspot.com/

Original Park Shrimps For Sale- tied by Ross Macdonald

2009-06-07T14:33:00.003+01:00

The Park Shrimp is my pattern and has enjoyed great success throughout the UK, Ireland, Russia and Northern Europe.

If you refuse to accept anything less than the best, drop me a line.

Ross

ross@macdonaldsalmonflies.co.uk

Dee Springer from Monaltries

2009-05-31T11:43:00.000+01:00

Despite a blistering hot day, I managed to fool a lovely fresh springer in the Garden Pool on Monaltries. It was in the 7lb class and took a 1/4" puppy dog tube fished deep.

Spring Shrimps

2009-03-29T18:02:00.001+01:00

Park Shrimp, Maggie's Shrimp and Green Highlander Shrimp

I had hoped to give the Green Highlander a good try on the Thurso, but a large spate put paid to that. In fact the weather put paid to a lot of fishing this week.

The Dee was slow and not what we would hope March to be. One thing we cannot control, is the weather, and it was fierce all week.

A Dee Springer from the Durris Stream at Park

2009-03-08T20:58:00.001Z

Lady luck was with me at Park on Sat 7 March.

I landed this beauty of around 16lb in the famous Durris Stream on a Park Shrimp Conehead.

Springer from Tilbouries, River Dee

2009-03-02T19:01:00.000Z

What a picture. A February Salmon from the Dee, caught by Kenny Reid on a big Park Shrimp.

Kenny landed two on Saturday morning and the biggest was around 15lb.

Its a Messy Business

2009-02-28T10:16:00.002Z

Clearly, its time to tidy up my workshop....after a while this becomes vital as I spend most of the time looking for materials etc that are hidden in the mess.

Thaw

2009-02-16T09:25:00.000Z

the thaw is finally upon us and, in aberdeen at least, we are getting rain.
the river is rising...fingers crossed a good shot of springers are tempted into the dee

http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Dee/RiverLevels.asp?dom=Dee

Chartreuse Park Shrimp

2009-02-10T21:41:00.000Z

Not sure about the name, but as this post requires a title....

Anyway, this is for clear water. I am hoping to fish it this week. A day at Park to kick things off this year. The water is low and cold and thick with grue....the river is like an icy porridge... but I live in hope for a thaw.

Open Season

2009-02-06T20:18:00.000Z

The River Dee opened Monday 2 February.

This picture is looking downstream from Potarch Bridge.

I will have to wait another week until I have a cast at Park, but cant wait....

Green Highlander Shrimp on 1 " copper

2009-01-27T12:47:00.000Z

About Damn Time

2009-01-27T12:28:00.001Z

The Dee opens next week and Ill have some pics of the opening ceremony. Im eager for a cast, but that will have to wait until mid month.

I have been tying up a few flies though. I made a mix of coneheads and copper tubes for Feb & March .

Thurso Dog wee tube

2009-01-13T17:37:00.000Z

Its early Jnauary and a number of North Highland river have started the new season.

I was in Halkirk for the Thurso opening dinner and had a great time.

Tired of tying spring sized flies i have made a few small fox wing flies on 1/2 plastic tubes.

Try any pattern you might fancy - the wee tube is lively in the stream. The one shown is a Thurso Dog; I have others, like Munro's Killer and Stoats Tail versions so there is usually something in the box to take my fancy.

Green Highlander Shrimp

2008-12-29T10:23:00.001Z

The dark days of winter are still upon us; thankfully the new season beckons.

With that in mind I have made a shrimp version of the Green Highlander to try out in the cold waters of the Dee. I have used a Loop double here, but fancy it as a conehead.

rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Closing Time

2008-10-16T18:40:00.000+01:00

The 2008 season on the Dee ended yesterday (15 oct).

I was a guest at Park on Tuesday, courtesy of my pal Steve, and had a nice fish of about 8lb. I rounded things off by spending the last day at Park as ghillie to my father who we surprised with day on the south bank.

He landed a clean fish of around 13-14lb.

Yellow Dog Shrimp

2008-10-04T13:37:00.001+01:00

This my shrimp version of the famous Yellow Dog tube. It goes a nice orange shade once wet.

Sunray Shadow

2008-10-04T10:31:00.001+01:00

THE SUNRAY SHADOW is a well established throughout Scotland. It fishes well all season and is particularly popular on the Dee April and May.

Anyone interested in my flies can reach me at rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Black & Yellow

2008-10-04T10:14:00.000+01:00

THE BLACK AND YELLOW tube is a classic Spring tube. I have added a little holographic angel hair and Jungle Cock to give it something extra.

Anyone interested in my flies can reach me at rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Gold Willie Gunn

2008-10-02T21:05:00.000+01:00

THE GOLD WILLIE GUNN is a favourite of a great many anglers and who could blame them. Its the quintessential Scottish Spring fly.

Anyone interested in my flies can reach me at rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Thurso Grilse in the net

2008-10-02T20:56:00.000+01:00

Kenny Macdonald playing a grilse, Beat 6, Thurso

2008-10-02T20:40:00.000+01:00

Salmon Flies: Salmon Action from the Thurso River

2008-10-02T20:33:00.000+01:00

One of my favourite places on earth has to be the Thurso. It is an enigmatic and generally frustrating river in the far north of Scotland. But I love it.

Salmon Flies: The Park Shrimp at Park

2008-09-23T13:30:00.000+01:00

Salmon Flies: The Park Shrimp at Park

2008-09-23T13:25:00.000+01:00

Salmon Flies: The Park Shrimp at Park

2008-09-23T09:39:00.001+01:00

(ken reid, with a big Dee fish from Park)

In the afternoon I hooked another fish in the Jetties on a Park Shrimp Conehead. It was around 20lb and had on its full spawning colours, which gave me the first gnawing sensation that the season is coming to an end soon.

Salmon Flies: The Park Shrimp at Park

2008-09-23T09:27:00.000+01:00

(with Charlie, Park South Ghillie)

I was very pleased to join my good pal Ken Reid at Park South yesterday. Kenny used to ghillie at Park so I think I had a bit of an edge despite the sunlight.

I was fishing the House Pool and had just made a downstream mend as instructed and a fish took immediately making ken smug as he knew exactly where the fish would take.

It came off though.

10 mins later I had changed to a bigger fly and soon hooked and landed a good fish in the 13-14lb range.

Salmon Leaping the Falls of Feugh

2008-09-18T19:19:00.000+01:00

I took this footage a couple of weeks ago when I was showing my buddy Andy McGall the sites and sounds of the Dee. These salmon were running the River Feugh, which enters the Dee at Banchory. The fish build up on the Banchory Lodge Beat and good catches are to be had there in July and August- until the Feugh goes into spate then the fish go hell for leather as they attempt to conquer the falls and continue their journey to the spawning grounds above.

Salmon Flies- The Silver Shrimp

2008-09-16T17:22:00.000+01:00

THE SILVER SHRIMP is a Ness pattern devised by Graham McKenzie of Inverness. It is a combination of that other stalwart Ness pattern, the Black Shrimp, and the Silver Stoat.
The Silver Shrimp has many salmon on its conscience. Try it in clear water any time for summer salmon and grilse.

Ive been using it on silver salar hooks this year and will post a pic when I get a chance.

It has worked for me in size 13 and size 15 salars this year and got me two super fish one morning in June from Borrowston on the Dee.

Anyone interested in my flies can reach me at rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Releasing a big Dee fish

2008-09-09T11:38:00.000+01:00

it was a good struggle keeping the fish from tearing off downstream. but i played him tight and thankfully got the better of him. Doesnt always work out as well.........

Bent into a good fish

2008-09-09T11:35:00.000+01:00

Salmon action from the Dee

2008-09-09T11:27:00.001+01:00

Lady luck smiled on me yesterday as I got a couple of fish and lost another on the lower Dee. They were approx 8lbs and one in the high teens. The first took a size 9 Park Shrimp and the the big one a small conehead version. I lost another fish on the silver shrimp. Good fun after a slow and frustrating week, last week.

Here is the sound of me playing him

Park Shrimp tied on 5 Salar

2008-09-07T23:42:00.000+01:00

Anyone interested in my flies can reach me at rj_macd@yahoo.co.uk

Dee Salmon being played by Kenny Macdonald

2008-08-30T19:43:00.000+01:00

Dee Salmon- Seal Damage

2008-08-30T19:39:00.000+01:00

Dee Salmon being played by Kenny Macdonald

2008-08-30T19:20:00.000+01:00

2008-08-30T19:11:00.000+01:00

My father came over to spend the day with me on the Dee and was rewarded with a fine salmon of around 8lb, caught on one of my Park Shrimps.

It was our only fish of the day , which was frustrating. I had high hopes as the water was at a nice height and there were fresh fish around, but we had one of those days when the atmospherics conspired against us. In fact the fish we caught (we!) was badly wounded near the wrist of the tail and we killed the fish.

Its strange how often that the only taking fish is an injured one.

Anyway, a good day out.

Dusk on The River Dee at Maryculter

2008-08-26T20:09:00.001+01:00

August can be a good month to be on the lower Dee. Here at Maryculter we are waiting for the water drop by a few more inches. Once the gauge, upstream at Park, drops to around 1' we should be in business as good numbers of of salmon and grilse build up in the Highbank Pool

2008-08-25T09:29:00.000+01:00

Here is another view of the Park Shrimp on the Loop doubles. Im quite taken with them on these bigger sizes, 4-8. The ones shown are on size 6 and are fairly heavy- in fact I was a bit surprised by their weight. I bet they work well in a strong stream.

I will report back once they have been fished on the Kharlovka.

Park Shrimps on Loop Doubles

2008-08-25T09:18:00.001+01:00

This is all a bit new to me, but here goes......

Some footage of a batch of Park Shrimps I have tied for a friends visit to Russia. I have dressed the flies on Loop doubles for extra strength and like the look of them now that I have gotten used the down eye. It took me a while to get used to the look of it.