THE BEAT (see map)

This ADAA beat on the lower Ythan is a short tidal section between Ellon and Newburgh, some 900 to 1000 metres long, from Logie Buchan Bridge, downstream to the shallow water at the Machar Ford. Apart from the fishing it provides a superb location to enjoy seeing a huge variety of birds, depending on the time of year.

Although the Association has access on both banks, due to the muddy nature of many sections, not all of the water is accessible.

THE FISH

From my experience, typically, there appears to be very few fish in the pool from the start of the season until the beginning of April.

During April the beat can hold sea trout kelts and finnock, (mainly finnock which have over wintered in the river).It is mandatory that all kelts be returned to the river, and since at this time, finnock are generally in poor condition, I recommend that they also be returned.

The return date of the first of the clean sea trout varies from year to year, sometimes as early as the beginning of June, other years as late as mid August.

These early sea trout are the biggest and best quality of the whole season, do not expect monsters however, a typical Ythan fish is around 1.5 to 2.5lbs, a really good fish perhaps 3.5 to 4lbs. These fish are usually fairly free takers, but are few in number, also at any slight rise in water level, disappear quickly upriver, one day there are fish in the pool, the next they are gone!

Provided there are few spates, the stock of sea trout increases to a maximum level in late September, by which time the majority are coloured and are generally returned.

From late August to the end of the season on 31st October there can be considerable numbers of clean finnock in the pool.

FISHING METHODS

Fly-fishing, spinning, and worming are all permitted, worming being restricted to the upper part of the pool.

Taken over the whole season fly fishing is probably the most successful and satisfying method, a 9 to 10 foot fly rod coupled with say a size 7 weight forward intermediate line (an old floating line that has lost some of its buoyancy can also be satisfactory), and a 9 to 10 foot leader having one dropper, with the lower section being rated at 6lbs, will suffice.

The most successful flies are

· Cinnamon and Gold, tied spider fashion, (no wings, no tail.)
· Dunkeld.
· Black Pennel.
· Mallochs Favourite

· All the flies above should be dressed slimly on size 12 to size 16 doubles

·A Dog Nobbler or Cats Whisker, size 10 or size 8 longshank, can also be productive, especially when the tide is still high.

Logie Buchan Bridge

Down Stream from Logie Buchan Bridge

Looking East towards the sea down the Machar Pool

Cinnamon and Gold Fly

Tying Hook ----10-12. Thread - -Black Tail--------Pheasant tippet. Body-------Flat gold tinsel. Hackle----Cinnamon hen. Wing--------Cinnamon hen wing quills

When the tide starts to drop the current will fish the flies down and across. As the tide slackens it is necessary to work the flies as you would in a loch. Spinning can also be a useful alternative, particularly when half a gale is blowing, not an unusual occurrence given the exposed nature of the area. Suitable lures include the

· Silver Krill,
· Mepps Spoons.
· Small Tobys.
· The Flying C.

When spinning , the retrieve should be quite fast.