Former Scotland rugby player John Beattie to officially open River Deveron salmon season
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Former Scotland rugby international John Beattie will officially open the 2024 River Deveron salmon season.
It is a special year for everyone associated with the river as it is the 100th anniversary of Mrs Clementina “Tiny” Morison landing the UK record fly caught salmon from the Deveron at Mountblairy.
The event is organised by the River Deveron District Salmon Fishery Board and The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust in association with The Deveron Single Malt Whisky (Bacardi).
The Morison Trophy and The McConnell Major Contribution Award will be presented at the opening ceremony on Monday, February 12 at the Turriff Angling Association lodge from 10am.
John Beattie will officially open the salmon season with a dram of Deveron whisky from Macduff Distillery.
He is a former Scotland rugby international and toured twice with the British Lions to South Africa and New Zealand.
More recently he has hosted the very popular BBC Drivetime radio show and is a presenter on BBC Scotland's news programme The Nine.
Andrew MacGarvie, winner of the Morison Trophy for 2023 will make the first cast of the season.
Mr MacGarvie secured the trophy by landing a 28lbs salmon from Upper Netherdale.
Henderson’s Country Sports (Turriff) sponsor the salmon rod that will be presented to him for carefully releasing the winning salmon.
Richie Miller, river director, said: “This is a very special year for everyone associated with our beautiful river.
"This season will mark the 100th anniversary of Mrs Clementina 'Tiny' Morison landing the UK record fly caught salmon from the Deveron at Mountblairy.
"The opening ceremony is the first of several events and projects to honour and celebrate Mrs Morison and her extraordinary record.
"We are very much looking forward to the season ahead and we are delighted to have John join us to open the salmon season. I wish all our angler’s tight lines for the season ahead.”
