River Spey salmon fishing season set to return
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THE return of the salmon fishing season on the River Spey is set to be celebrated in style.
Friday, February 11 will see the honours performed by Ian Tennant, who retired at the end of 2021 as the head ghillie at Gordon Castle after 41 years of service.
The proceedings will begin with a blessing by the Rev Andrew Kimmitt, and a few words from Mr Tennant.
This will then be followed by the traditional pouring of a bottle of Aberlour 12-year-old single malt scotch whisky into the fast-flowing waters of the River Spey, as a gesture to wish the salmon good health and to herald the official opening of the River Spey salmon fishing season for 2022.
Performing this ceremony will be Mike Murdoch, who was the angler who caught the first fish in 2020, when the competition was last held, and won the Spey Anniversary Quaich. He will be accompanied by our Mr Tennant, and also by Allan Sinclair, who will perform on the bagpipes.
Anglers are invited to attend the opening ceremony, before starting on their quest to catch their first spring Salmon of the season. The event will be adhering to all Scottish Government Covid-19 safety measures at the event.
To help celebrate the start of the new salmon fishing season, drams of Aberlour 12-year-old single malt whisky, samples of Walkers Shortbread and hot drinks supplied by the Aberlour Hotel will be offered during the opening ceremony. The Spey Fishery Board is grateful to Aberlour distillery, Walkers Shortbread and the Aberlour Hotel for their continued generous sponsorship of this event.
The Spey Anniversary Quaich will be awarded to the angler who catches the first salmon on the opening day, together with a bottle of Aberlour Distillery Exclusive Whisky and a Walkers Shortbread hamper.
The angler who lands the heaviest salmon on opening day will receive a bottle of Aberlour distillery exclusive whisky and a Walkers Shortbread hamper.
For the ghillies in attendance, each will receive a bottle of Aberlour single malt whisky and a Walkers Shortbread hamper. The official competition rules can be found on the Spey Fishery Board website at www.speyfisheryboard.com
The opening ceremony will get under way at 9am at Penny Bridge, Alice Littler Park in Aberlour.
