Fishing Rules

The detailed fishing rules are contained in the permits issued. Some of these rules are standard, obvious, or relate to fishing etiquette. However, the most important regulations are as follows:-

Our Lease

We have the fishing from opening day on 11th February until 10th August. There is no Sunday fishing.

Spey Board Catch and Release Policy

Salmon

Until 30th June, each angler must return the 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc, fish caught.
After 30th June, all hen salmon and grilse must be released.
Throughout season, all stale or gravid fish must be released.
Escaped farmed salmon must be retained – usually dumpy tails.

Sea Trout

1. Finnock: Release all fish of 10oz/10”/25cm or less.
2. Seatrout: Release all fish of 3lbs/20”/50cm or more.
3. Bag limit: 2 seatrout or finnock of takeable size per day.
4. Unseasonable fish: Release smolts, stale fish, kelts, over wintered finnock.

Fochabers Association Rules

• Fly fishing only – single or double hooked flies only.
• Permit is not transferable
• Fishing from 5am to 5pm – no Sunday fishing. Visitors may also fish in the evenings in May and June.
• After catching a salmon or grilse, the angler must return to the head of the pool, if other anglers are following.
• Catch returns (including nil) are mandatory.

Gyrodactylus Salaris

This is a major threat to wild salmon. It is a parasitic freshwater fluke affecting rivers on the continent. We don’t want it here.

Anglers who have fished abroad, MUST have carried out the recommended precautions and disinfectant procedures, before fishing here.

Contact the Spey Fishery Board Research Office for advice – research@speyfisheryboard.com