David Mateer Casting Tuition

In June I had a great evening with Rueben Hunter at Ness Castle, River Ness. We covered all the Spey casts, using right and left hand up on the rod and improving techniques. Well done Rueben. 🎣

Some pictures from a brilliant week on the delightful River Ewe with the Ewe Crew. Great craic, great food and wine along with some good fishing. Special thanks to Mrs Whittle, Raymond and Sandy for making it another week to remember. Looking forward to next year already. Tight lines all. 🎣🎣

In early June I had a fantastic three days with Chris from Sydney, Australia. Spey casting tuition and fishing at Ness Castle on the Ness, salmon fishing on the Spey at Aberlour and Tulcan. Chris was over on a fishing holiday in Aberdeenshire and the north of Scotland. He was very pro-active catching trout at various locations and after losing a couple of salmon he landed one on the Hallandale. Congratulations Chris getting your first Atlantic salmon, thoroughly deserved. It was a pleasure to be involved and tight lines for the future. 🎣

What a beautiful day yesterday at Lower Wester Elchies on the River Spey. The RSAA were holding a junior day, and it was great to see them progress with Spey Casting and catching a few trout in the trout pond. Special thanks to John Lunardi for letting us use his beat, to all the helpers, and a huge well done to the committee members who did all the hard work behind the scenes to make the event a success. 🎣

Back home after a brilliant week away with my brother Kenny. Pictured are just some of the sixty fish we caught during four days fishing. Carsington Water (1), Grafham Water (1) and Clywedog (2). Creating great memories and spending quality time together. That’s what fishing is all about. 🎣

Had a fantastic day on Loch Ruthven last week with Chuck Robert’s from the USA. Being an experienced angler, he managed to land fourteen trout, in bright sunny conditions. Chuck has fished in various locations round the world, so we had some very interesting conversations about all things fishy. It was a brilliant day and I hope you enjoyed your Scottish loch experience for wild brown trout. Good angling Chuck, well done Sir. 🎣

Had a great session with Simon and Neil from the Black Isle. Both were new to fly fishing and once they learned the Roll and Overhead casts, managed to land a fish each in difficult conditions. Thank you both for all your hard work and patience. It was great fun and I really didn’t know Pike got bigger once they were netted !! 🎣

Getting set up, for what turned out to be a very busy day for us at Gordon Castle Country Fare on Sunday. Our stand did, fly tying, casting demonstrations, teaching double and single handed Spey casting. Special thanks to Allan Liddle, Sandy Howie and our Chairman Peter Austin.

In addition we are doing a junior day at Lower Wester Elchies, River Spey on Saturday,1st June, from 10am to 3pm. Further details, including how to book your place, can be found on our page, River Spey Anglers Assocition. There was a lot of interest in this event at Gordon Castle, so hurray and book your place. It should be a great day with salmon and trout fishing. 🎣

Had a great session today with Andrew from Forres, and his brother in law Colin all the way from Norfolk. Went through the Roll cast before covering the Overhead cast, with false casts and hauling. First time having a go at fly fishing, one fish caught and one lost. Well done guys and thanks for all your hard work. Hope this is just the start of your fly fishing journey. 🎣

Had a most enjoyable and productive morning yesterday, with father and daughter team Richard and Jessica. It was their first go at fly fishing and both caught their first trout on the fly. A few lost as well which added to the excitement. A huge well done to you both. I also made a new friend and someone I know would have been delighted if I had managed to take it home !! 🎣🎣

Just had an amazing day on the River Dee at Crathes. Open day run by the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors (AAPGAI). Superb demonstrations and it was great to catch up with old friends and make new ones. A huge well done to everyone involved. 👏🎣

On a lovely day last Thursday, gave a lesson to Sandra and Ivan from Foyers. Roll and Overhead casts mastered which resulted in a cracking rainbow trout for Sandra, and a cracking brown trout for Ivan. Congratulations to you both. 🎣🎣

Had a very productive session recently with Kenneth Clark. Covered the Roll, Reach, Over Head casts, shooting line and changing direction. Well done Kenneth for all your hard work. Kenneth intends to target wild brown trout in the hill lochs. Tight lines. 🎣

Delighted to get another double header at the Lake of Menteith today. Loop 7X 10’ 7 # weight doing the business again. 🎣

A double header today, two lively rainbows on the same cast at the Lake of Menteith. Using the Loop 7X 10’ 7 # weight the fish had no chance. Both safely returned after a quick picture. 🎣

Had a great day on Saturday with the River Spey Anglers Association. We were on two of the Gordon Castle beats on the Spey. All the ladies did really well to manage the Double Spey cast, in a very strong down stream wind. Unfortunately no fish, but very pleasing to see the ladies improving.

These events only take place due to the hard work of our committee, Gordon Castle Estate, ghillies Ian and Lewis, and the helpers who came along on the day. A sincere thank you to you all and tight lines. 🎣

Despite the cold and rain last Tuesday, I had a very enjoyable and productive session with mother and son team, Sonia and Joey. New to fly fishing they both learned the Roll and Overhead casts, before landing two cracking rainbow trout. Congratulations, and a huge well done for sticking with it. 👏💪🎣

Had a great session with the RSAA supporting an open Day at Wardend Fishery. It was all about introducing juniors and adults into fly fishing and fly tying. This event was well attended considering the weather. Apart from the fly tying, four juniors and two adults caught their first fish on the fly. Loop Incite kits doing the business. A huge thanks to Kevin and Lydia for arranging this event and their hospitality, and to all the helpers. 🎣👍

Willie Gunn theme. 🎣

Thank you to Alness Angling Club for the invitation, to do a casting demonstration at their opening day last Saturday. It was great to catch up with everyone, and very encouraging to see a few young ones eager to learn about fly fishing. That’s the future of our sport and the Alness Club are doing a great job on that front. Thank you again for the invite and hospitality. Tight lines for the season ahead. 🎣

Some Pheasant Tail Nymphs for the trout. 🎣

Some treats for the river brown trout- Copper John’s. 🎣

Some traditional trout flies for a change. 🎣

Another great day yesterday at the RSAA Fly Fair, Inchberry Hall, Fochabers. Well done to our Chairman Sandy Howie for pulling all this together, lots of hard work behind the scenes. Special thanks to FRANC N SNAELDA and LOOP, the fly tyres, those who donated raffle prizes, the general public (just under a hundred, which was amazing considering the recent weather), last but not least our engine room on the day, Sue Cunningham, Sue Munro, Tracy Stronach and Peter Austin, for attending and supporting this event. A most enjoyable time in a friendly atmosphere, catching up with ghillies, fishing buddies and lots of fishy talk. 🎣

Some of the flies off the bench this week. Time to pack all the gear away for the RSAA Fly Fair this Saturday at Inchberry Hall. Fochabers. Really looking forward to this one. 🪰🪳🦟🎣

Just a short post to say a huge Thank You to family and friends, who sent cards and best wishes for my 70th Birthday. I was deeply humbled by everyone’s kindness. What was a birthday, turned into a birthday week which included a surprise party. Once again thank you all very much indeed. 🎂🍷

Some pictures of our recent River Spey Anglers Association AGM in Elgin. This meeting was well attended, both in the room and online. Our guest speakers, Ian Gordon and Roger Knight gave interesting and informative talks, which received very positive feedback. As the year draws to an end we are already planning for next season. First up is our fly tying day at Inchberry Hall, Fochabers on Saturday 20th January.

Some fishing fun in Boa Vista, Cape Verde. Had a fantastic holiday and a great time with some new fishing buddies, Kenny, Ian, Glen, Andy, Mitch and Ricky. Would love to go back and have a go at the sharks. 🎣🐟

Lest we forget.

First fish on the fly for William and Beatrice yesterday. We all had a great session yesterday morning, the aforementioned and mum Elizabeth. After learning the Overhead cast and shooting line, two lovely rainbow trout were caught in difficult conditions. A huge well done to you all for your patience and determination, which ended with a positive result. 👏👏🎣🐟🐟