The air is crisp as I approach the River Don on a July afternoon around 3 p.m. The sun is beginning to dip, casting a warm glow over the riverbank as I set up my rod and reel. My net and bag are slung over my shoulders, and I head downstream in anticipation. I am at Alford, situated 25 miles northwest of Aberdeen, where the Don winds its way through flat farmland, eventually meeting the more dramatic, hilly landscapes of the Cairngorms to the west.
The River Don: A Beautiful Backdrop
The river, at this point, bends gently, creating a large pool upstream and a fast-flowing 50-yard stretch of water below. A local club member had mentioned that just the previous week, a 6lb salmon had been landed in this very spot using a 10′ single-handed rod with a nymph. A piece of history shared by a fellow angler, spurring me on.
I make my way half a mile downstream, intending to work my way back upstream later, perhaps exploring further towards the limits of the Alford beat. The water is crystal clear, a rarity, and as I pass a shallow pool, I spot a wary trout darting away, confirming there are fish around. On my previous visit, two weeks earlier, I had encountered surface-feeding trout but had no success with dry flies. Today, however, the water levels are a little lower, and conditions feel more promising.
Preparing for the Catch
On the right bank, I find a shallow stretch of water where I can wade comfortably in my wellingtons. This area will allow me to cast into a deeper run on the opposite bank, where a row of overhanging trees suggests there may be fish hiding beneath. The surface is quiet today, unlike my earlier visit when there had been significant activity. Nonetheless, I know the trout are lurking beneath the surface, and even a catch-less day will yield valuable lessons.
The sun is shining brightly, and in the warmth of the summer afternoon, I’m dressed lightly in a T-shirt and outdoor trousers, a rare sight in Aberdeenshire. Feeling confident, I tie a large, barbless pheasant’s tail nymph to my tippet and cast into the top of the run. I lift my rod tip to reduce the line’s contact with the water, slowing the nymph’s progress as it sinks into the depths.
The First Strike
It’s only on my third cast that something exciting happens. The nymph lands with a distinct plop at 10 o’clock relative to my position, and within moments, there’s a sharp tug at 1 o’clock. Instinctively, I set the hook. A glint of gold and brown breaks the surface, and a small but feisty trout thrashes about, trying to shake free. It’s not a big catch—less than half a kilo—but its coloration is stunning, with dark brown hues along its back fading into black and red spots on its sides, highlighted by a golden streak underneath.
With some careful maneuvering, I bring the trout into the net. I gently slip the hook out while keeping the fish in the net and ease it back into the river, watching as it swiftly darts away to its underwater home. I’ve just caught my first wild trout.
A Local Connection to History
The rivers of Aberdeenshire, like the Don and the Dee, have been integral to the area’s history for centuries. The names of these rivers date back to the second century AD when the Greco-Roman geographer Ptolemy recorded them as Devona and Deva—meaning goddess in ancient languages. These rivers, along with the surrounding landscape, have witnessed the creation of over 150 stone circles in the region, some of which date back 4,000 years. One of these circles, marked by a giant “recumbent” stone, is located just upstream from where I’m fishing at Alford. This stone circle serves as a reminder that these rivers once held spiritual significance for the people who lived here long before us.
The pull of the Don and the Dee remains strong, both for anglers and tourists, who are still drawn to these waters as much as those ancient inhabitants were. The legacy of the rivers continues, shaping the land and the people who interact with it.
