Cairnton & Middle Blackhall beats are situated on the banks of the River Dee, Royal Deeside, Scotland in the grounds of Cairnton Estate. It is 35 minute drive from Aberdeen airport, an hour and half drive from Dundee and 2 and a half hours from Edinburgh. Cairnton is widely regarded as the home of Salmon Fly Fishing and where modern greased line fly fishing was developed by A.H.E Wood. In the eyes of the fishing community, he is credited with proving the value of greased line tactics. Greased-line develops the concept that, as water temperature rises, salmon prefer to rise from their rest on the bottom of the river to take flies presented on, or close to, the surface. As fishers we now relish, and the heart stops, when we see a boil on the top of the water.
This special day at Cairnton can cater for all levels from complete beginners to fly fishing to the more accomplished fisher who would like some further development in their skills with the help of Scott Mackenzie and his team, Andrew & Iain, along with the resident ghillie Brian Brogan, who has been a ghillie for over 35 years. Scott is a 4 times World Spey Casting champion and was team captain for the winning Scotland team at Spey casting world championships in 2006 & 2 world records. He has been fully qualified as a casting instructor for over 10 years holding an Advanced Game Angling Instructors Certificate, the UK’s highest level of casting instructor. Andrew is a master instructor & world fly casting champion. Andrew works closely with Scott in designing award winning tackle. Iain is a well known and experienced ghillie on the River Tay. It will truly be a unique day, in beautiful surroundings, lots of fun and you will also get a sneak peak in the private museum – the old rod room of AHE Wood.
This year marks 100 years since Georgina Ballantine who was a Scottish nurse, landed a 64lb salmon on the River Tay, the largest recorded from a British river with rod and line.
Please note – Waders are not included but we do have contacts of suppliers if anyone requires some please let us know well in advance. We can fish off the bank if ladies do not want to enter the water. Other tackle equipment will be provided by Scott.
8:30am – Arrive on site. Tea & Coffee on arrival.
9:00am – Introduction to salmon fishing & equipment by Scott Mackenzie.
10am – Split into small groups (experience dependent) for small group work on casting and skills with professional casting instructors.
11:15/30am – Congregate back at fishing hut for short break including tea, coffee and homemade shortbread.
11.30am – Back out in groups for continued lessons.
1pm – Lunch – A riverside lunch at the fishing hut with Homemade Soup and Bread, Warm Jumbo Sausage Rolls & Salad and Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies.
2pm – Back out in groups to continue your development and maybe, just maybe hook yourself a salmon.
5pm – Back to fishing hut – rods down.
5.30/6pm – A visit to the private museum – the old rod room of AHE Wood.
