The March Pool at Ballindalloch Castle River Spey Scotland
It will come as no surprise that I yearn to return to the beats of the Middle Spey each June. Although I can’t deny it is the pursuit of the river’s silver salmon that is foremost in my mind, the lure of Speyside is about so much more. Just being here brightens me, clears my mind and every breath of the fresh clean air I take renews my passion and love for this part of the world.
It’s been a long year since I last cast a line across this magical river. It’s early June and I’m fishing this week at the famous Ballindalloch Castle beat. I’ve arrived to find the river in perfect condition and I am seeing fish moving across the runs and pools of the beat as they make their titanic journey upstream.
The weather is favorable. There is a warmth in the air but the snow melt is encouraging a cooler river and the salmon are agitated and appear aggressive. I’m hoping this is putting them in a taking mood for the fly.
I’m starting this morning at the March Pool at the top of Ballindalloch where the beat Marches with Tulchan’s D beat. It is a famous pool, marred only by the fact it lies on the boundary of the two estates. It is common for anglers to fish from Tulchan, wishing they could continue past the boat and fish the pool to its conclusion. Equally frustrating for the Ballindalloch rods that can only gaze upstream at the March Pool’s beautiful and inviting neck as the river rolls down through Tulchan estate. On a more positive note, I’ve fished both the pool many times from Ballindalloch and Tulchan with equal success, so watching angler’s need not be concerned. Even so it would be a joy one day to fish it from neck to tail. Many a Spey angler’s dream, I’m sure.
I know this is a pool that can produce fish anywhere so I’m going to start to fish right up at the boundary with a short line. I’ll try and cover as much of the water as I can to maximize my chances of encountering a taking fish. I’m fishing a full floating #9 set up on my 14’ Scott MacKenzie FX1. I’ve been encouraged to use a Foxford Shrimp today by the Ballindalloch Ghillie Steve Brand.
I feel a take, a fish has sipped the fly and it knows its hooked immediately and has turned quickly. This is what I wanted. The fish will have secured the fly by turning so sharply and I’m sure it will have a good hold. It’s on. I can feel a bit of weight behind this fish.
It's a strong fish and it pushes upstream right away and it is almost parallel to me when it must sense my presence and puts in a strong run. I love the sound of my Saracione reel as it purrs to me almost as if speaking to me. The fish continues to push away and shake strongly and my reel responds appropriately. I’ve set the drag hard enough to ensure the fish can run without the risk of breaking my leader if the fish produces a sudden burst of power.
What a wonderful place to be playing a wild Atlantic salmon. This is the most famous salmon river in the world and the weather has been kind to me as I play out this fight with this wonderful fish. It’s difficult to take it all in at the same time but from time to time the fish lets up a bit and allows me to take it all in. There are not many places in the world I’d rather be, that is for sure.
It’s a game of cat and mouse as the fish runs back and forth and I try to maintain pace with it and keep the line taught. I just keep at it and tighten the drag a little at a time as I feel the fish weaken. It takes time and effort but I get it close enough eventually to get a good look at it. 4.21 It’s a bright shining bar of silver. It’s what I have been searching for.
I can’t deny it, I get anxious. I know the longer this fish is played the higher the chances it will get off before I land it. It is a tense stale mate as the fish refuses to come to heel and the fish maintains its strength and leaves me languishing in despair.
One last bid for freedom and I see it keel over and the bright sun shines off the salmon’s flank. It’s had enough and knows it’s beaten. I slowly but surely guide it towards the beach. There is little resistance but I maintain the tension in the line and reach calmly and have it by the tail on the first time of asking.
This salmon is as fresh as they get. It is in absolutely pristine condition and a worthy opponent. This is what anglers come to the River Spey for. A beautifully sculptured shining wild Atlantic salmon on the fly. This is one of the prettiest salmon I’ve caught anywhere and to catch it here on Ballindalloch’s March Pool in such glorious conditions makes it very special.

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