Ardlethen Beat Summary
THE BEAT (see maps)
This beat on the lower Ythan, is located a few miles west of Ellon.
South (right) Bank:-
From the mouth of the Bronie Burn, 135 yds. below Ardlethen Bridge, on the Ellon – Tarves road, 3300 yds. upstream to the mouth of the Braiks Burn, 750 yds above the timber footbridge that crosses the river at Bridgefoot, Inverebrie
North (left) Bank
From the mouth of the Ebrie Burn adjacent to the road bridge on the B9005 Ellon – Methlick Road at Bridgefoot, Inverebrie, 2750 yds. upstream to a point 200yds. below the Auchedly Bridge at Ythanbank.
Car Parking
Waulkmill Hill Farm (North Bank)
This is situated just off the B9005 about a half mile downstream of Ythanbank. Permission has kindly been given by the owner for us to park at the farm.
It is essential that all anglers behave in a responsible manner otherwise this privilege may be revoked!
Bridgefoot Car Park (North Bank)
This car park (owned by the ADAA) is situated just off the B9005 at Bridgefoot, Inverebrie, and is at the mid point of the whole beat. Access to the south bank can also be made over the wooden footbridge, just upstream of this position.
Ardlethen Bridge (South Bank)
There are no “official” car parking areas in this area (bottom of the beat) but members are recommended to use the south grass verge on the west side of the bridge only. Please park as shown below.
The River
The Ythan is quite a small river, even here, some 3 – 4 miles above the tide, is not more than 15 – 16 yds. wide.
The landscape is quite open and there are few trees to cause problems for the inexperienced fly caster.
The upper section of the beat, from the Otter Stone down to the Dogs Leg has easy walking, the river bank being fairly even. On this section the best fishing areas are from the Otter Stone to The Quarry Pool and from Copeland’s Lie to the Dog’s Leg, with the latter part being the better for fly fishing.
On the middle section, both banks, from Stott’s Dyke to the School Pool are somewhat uneven and difficult in places, From the School Pool to the Ebrie Burn and to the Devil’s Elbow, banks are good. This whole middle section has good salmon holding capacity and has some nice fly water.
On the lower section the bank close to the river between the Devil’s Elbow and the Pout Pot is bad, but this can be by - passed by moving out from the bank. From the Pout Pot to Daniel’s Den the banks are somewhat uneven but not that difficult. From there to Wintie’s Stane the ground is very boggy and care must be taken. From Wintie’s Stane to the bottom of the beat the banks are quite good but a little soggy at the water’s edge. The whole section seems to fish well, except for the middle part of the Boat Pot.
The Records
The only records we have are those we collated ourselves for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The beat had not been fished extensively for many years prior to the 2007 season.
The 2 year annual average catch of salmon and grilse is 130, with just under 70% being returned.
The 2 year annual average catch of sea trout is 25, with 80% being returned.
(It should be borne in mind that the summer of 2007 was the wettest for a decade, and that any sea trout in the system would have been unlikely to stop for long at Ardlethen.)
The 2 year annual average catch of finnock is 30, with 95% being returned.
Most “brown trout” in the Ythan are small and are not of keepable size.
When to fish – Suggested Periods.
February to April: - for finnock and salmon. (Spring salmon are very rarely caught on the Ythan.)
June to September: - for sea trout.
September and October: - For salmon and grilse. (By October most of the sea trout will be coloured and should be safely returned.)
Fishing Methods.
Fly fishing, spinning and worming are all permitted.
A trout rod is all that is required for fly fishing for finnock and sea trout, during daytime size 14 or size 12 flies are suitable – perhaps larger as the light fails.
A stiff trout fly rod (aftm 7 or 8) is suitable for fly fishing for salmon most of the time, however once into October; something more powerful is desirable to control any large salmon you may encounter. The salmon in the Ythan do not have a lot of space to run, and tend to bore into weed beds and under the bank, therefore a stout leader is recommended,
For salmon, unless the river is very high and or dirty, size 10 - size 8 will be suitable most of the time.
For spinning and worming a rod of 9ft to 10 ft is suitable, the most successful lures are Rapalas, Flying Cs and Devon Minnows.
Catch and Release Reminder
All salmon and grilse landed before 1st June must be returned carefully to the water.
All finnock landed (at any time) must be returned carefully to the water.
Landing Nets
On many parts of the beat, due to the height of the banks above the water surface level, a landing net with an extending handle is recommended.
Alec. Paterson. Convener, Ythan Fishings.