River Deveron - Euchries Beat
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 31 May 2007 05:59
- Written by Fred Carrie
The Euchries beat on the River Deveron in Aberdeenshire lies about 10 miles down-river from the market town of Huntly. The Deveron is quite a big river at this point, probably roughly the same size as the River Don at Dyce or the River Tummel at Pitlochry.
To be fair the Deveron is more noted as a salmon and sea trout venue and while its reputation for the silver tourists is well justified it is, perhaps, somewhat overlooked as a brown trout water.
Up here in North East Scotland the River Don is, without doubt, the most famous wild trout river deserving its reputation for specimen fish and challenging fly fishing. However, excellent as the Don is, the river goddess can, more often than not, be a moody mistress who does not give up her children easily. There is also more to Aberdeenshire than the Dee and the Don. For years some had been telling me that the Deveron is the most underrated trout river in Scotland. I finally got round to giving it a try in late March 2007.
Being primarily a salmon river trout fishers may find access to the Deveron tricky at times. However, luckily, when the trout fishing is at its early season best the salmon fishing has still not quite got "into gear" so trout fishing is available if you know where to look for it.
Euchries is part of Kinnairdy estate. They actually have two beats, the other being Kinnairdy itself, but Euchries is the better trout water. The owner is an enlightened individual, keen to encourage trout fishers in the early season and also keen to encourage youngsters to take up the sport. He allows under 15's to fish free of charge provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult who has purchased a permit. 
Chest waders AND a wading staff are essential here. The beat is about ½ mile long with many good salmon pools and some excellent trout water. No, I am not going to tell you where the "hot spots" are; part of the fun is finding these things out for yourself. To be honest it would be arrogant and disingenuous of me to do so anyway, my own experience of the water is limited – just go there and try it. Lorna and Jim who run the fishings will keep your right!
Excellent value for money, £8, £10 and £15 / day in March, April and May respectively. That is a single ticket for trout and / or salmon so you can fish for whatever you choose. There are no trout only tickets for sale. It goes up to £25 later in the year (September) when the salmon are there in numbers.
The cool and sunny March day I fished there produced a great hatch of large dark olives and a good rise from about 11.00AM until mid afternoon when a cold north wind sprung up and killed it stone dead. The fish are very free rising and while I did not have anything bigger than ½ lb, from mid April through May trout of up to 5 pounds are regularly caught here. Like the Don, it's about stealth and being in the right place at the right time if you are after the big boys!
The fishing is run by husband and wife team Jim and Lorna Smith. Either Jim or Lorna will meet with anglers to discuss the finer points of the beat, point out the best places to fish depending upon river conditions and help in any way they can. A very courteous and pleasant couple.
This is a truly lovely bit of water with free rising trout. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.
Contact Information:
Jim and Lorna Smith
Kinnairdy Cottage
Bridge of Marnoch
Huntly
Aberdeenshire AB54 7RT
Telephone 01466 780838
Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fred Carrie started fishing in the mid 1960's, hillwalking in the 1970's and has been combining the two on and off ever since.
Fred runs the successful Wild Fishing Scotland web site and enjoys the hike up to the wild hill lochs as much as the fishing itself. The more uncharitable members of his family and friends say that is perhaps just as well.