River Dee opened on February second in awfully difficult conditions.

Temperatures were below zero and parts of the river were covered with ice and the banks slippery.

Needless to say no fish was caught on the opening day and anglers did not brave the elements for a long time. Time was better spent having a dram of Whisky indoors.

In the next few days conditions improved with higher temperatures and the river cleared.

The first fish of the season was caught on the Crathes Castle beat, a 10lbr beauty. We have heard reports of a second fish being caught on the Park beat.

Now that conditions are better we eagerly wait for improved catch results and the first fish from our beat – the Lower Crathes.