River Avon: Photo by ejbluefolds CC 2020

Fishing the Avon

Known hereabouts as the ‘Fisherman’s River’, the Avon (pronounced A’an) brawls and rushes on its journey toward the River Spey at the Junction Pool. The Avon’s pools and runs offer excellent stocks of Atlantic Salmon and seatrout, depending on the time of year and the height of water. A delight to fish, there is something for every fishermen in the variety of fishing challenges on the Avon. The personal nature of the fishing experience on the river is appreciated by all visitors; one is alone surrounded by wildlife in a secluded river valley, almost stalking the fish in their lairs.

The fishing is divided up into six beats, mostly double-bank. Ten rods fish five beats, two per beat, daily through the week; one beat is kept fallow, for occasional use by the Estate. Rods meet the ghillie at the Avon Rod Room at the Delnashaugh Hotel before being briefed and shown to their fishing beat for the day. Each beat has a basic hut and parking for anglers.

Fishing Beats

Ballindalloch Estate offers six beats on the River Avon, mostly with fishing on both banks.

Beats 1 to 6
Five rotating beats of two rods supported by one ghillie; one beat fallow.
Marches with the Crown Estate and the Ballindalloch Castle Beat on the Spey.
All pools double bank except for on the top two beats

Dalrachie Beat
Four rods and does not involve ghillie support.

 

River Avon Gallery

 

Additional photographs provided by Charlie Allan and Mark Melville.