BEATS & MAPS

THE RECORDS

2017 returns   43 Salmon      73 Sea Trout         109  Finnock

WHEN TO FISH

The time of year – February to early April, then from mid- May onwards.

Remember- following heavy rain the Ythan can often be fishable when it is impossible to fish on other rivers.

FISHING METHODS

Fly-fishing, spinning.  Worming only during September and October in high water.

Fly-fishing for Finnock can be very productive in early spring, although the water is cold  the finnock are active. remember all Finnock caught must be carefully returned to the river.

All salmon and sea trout kelts must be carefully released and returned.

From May to October, fly-fishing the streamy runs from below the Waterloo Bridge, downstream to the bottom of the Tarves beat can be satisfying, and is best in a falling and clearing water.

A 10 foot rod is all that is required, coupled with a floating line and 6 or 8lb cast. Suitable flies include (size 14 or 12)  Fly fishing for Salmon requires a stronger cast of 10lbs or more.

Suitable flies include (size 14 or 12)  See Fly section for Salmon flies.

• Cinnamon and Gold

• Black Pennel

• Butcher

• Silver Stoats Tail

• Pythan Shrimp 

From the 30th September to the end of season sea trout will be coloured and must be returned, any coloured sea trout caught prior to October we recommend they are returned carefully to the river.

Silver Finnock, however, can be in evidence until the end of the season, they must be carefully returned to the river.

THE FISH

At the start of the season on the 11 February the beat normally holds over -wintered finnock, sea trout kelts and salmon kelts.

These sometimes remain in this part of the river until the end of March/early April.

Small numbers of clean sea trout can arrive in the beat as early as mid May following raised water levels, more generally, however, they are later, following substantial spates in August and September.

Suitable debarbed lures include 

·        The Flying C    especially in coloured water.

·        Rapala  floating or sinking, single treble hook only 

·        Devon minnow. 

Salmon runs are normally straight in from the sea, appearing in the Methlick and Tarves pools approximately 6 hours after high tide.  During really high water the larger fish tend to head straight up to the Gight pools, stopping at Methlick and Tarves pools for a short rest.  

All  salmon, Finnock and foul hooked fish should be released carefully back to the river.

Parking & Shelters

The 2 beats have several parking areas, 12 for Methlick and 6 for Tarves, the Methlick beat has 3 shelters, Gurgedyke, Laundry and Kelly.