Spey Cast Away Club

08/07/2015

Lower Wester Elchies is a little off the beaten track but no problem to find for those with a modicum of a sense of direction? If approaching from the Rothes side take the Archiestown turn off and climb the brae past Macallans Distillery. Just past the temporary visitors entrance to Macallans at the top of the hill take the left fork and follow the single carriageway road until the tarred surface runs out. On the left there is a sign at the top of the track for the beat. Follow that track downhill, keeping left at the only junction, then drive between the buildings down to the river. The hut is at the end of the track. You should now be directly opposite Aberlour, if not you are lost!

If coming from the Archiestown side take a right at Alcudia Cattery, follow the road for a mile then another right at the "T" junction. In a few hundred yards you will come to the end of the tarred road - take the left turn where signposted then as above.

Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own food if required. We will be there from 10am onwards.

There will be three of the latest Loop double handers and a single hander all set up as well as the Salmologic range which will be demonstrated by Mads Pederson - a great chance to have a cast with top spec rods.

Look forward to seeing you there on Sunday.

02/07/2015

"...perfect fly rods are never designed in offices. They should be created in the same environment in which they are meant to be used… on the water, in the wind and near the fish" or so says the Salmologic website about their products. I could say the same about my own imperfect spey casting .... that was most definitely created on the water; however usually at the whim of the wind and mostly nowhere near a fish!
Like most anglers I have "honed" my casting over the years by practice, watching videos etc but the biggest gains have always been when people who know what they are doing gave me simple advice. "Slow down" said James Chalmers of Gaelforce at the last Spey Cast Away Club meet and that good advice made a huge difference. And not only to my casting; five salmon on the bank since that day compared to none in the previous 18 months - talk about a transformation!
That is what the Spey Cast Away Club is about - picking up little bits of advice from others or trying to find the right line to suit your rod. So if you are free on the 12th July come along to the Lower Wester Elchies beat where the Loop range of rods will be available to try and Mads Pedersen,Salmologic Ambassador and fishery manager/ghillie on the Culter Beat of the Dee will be on hand to demonstrate or guide those wanting to try the latest in Scandanavian rods.
The event will run from 10am to 2pm with tea and coffee making facilities available in the hut. The beat is opposite Aberlour (directions will be posted here soon). This event will suit all levels so please come along.

19/06/2015

We are in the process of organising another event for Sunday the 12th July. This time the event will be hosted on the Lower Wester Elchies beat of the River Spey opposite Aberlour.
This day should provide something for everyone: the full range of Loop rods will be available to try as well as the Salmologic range.
Beginners are more than welcome to come along to try Spey casting for the first time as are those interested in honing their technique.
So if you fancy an upgrade or just want to try some of the latest tackle please put the date in your diary. This is a come and try opportunity; not a sales pitch so come along and make the most of the opportunity. More details next week.

29/03/2015

Big thanks to James Chalmers for providing advice and making such a comprehensive range of rods & lines available to test today. The facilities and weather were perfect and although the turnout was lower than expected those that did attend made the most of it and were still casting away at 2 o'clock.
It was good to see Mads Pederson from Tillbouries on the Dee with his Salmologic kit. Personally I fell back in love with the Zenith - it just needed a heavier line!

28/03/2015

A few days ago we were looking at a forecast predicting galeforce winds on Sunday. Thankfully that appears to have passed today and tomorrow we should have perfect Gaelforce conditions! (Sorry about that, couldn't resist!)
All set for a great day tomorrow, looking forward to a good turnout at Rothes.

24/03/2015

Everything looking good for Sunday at Rothes. The fishery have kindly provided access to the fishing hut which is great - tea/coffee and toilets! We will have the barbeque in action for bacon rolls just in case anyone starts to tire, although you would be best bringing your own lunch if you are staying for the duration. Remember it will run from 10am to 2pm.
The weather forecast doesn't look too bad for the next few days so hopefully conditions will be okay.
For those that haven't been to the Rothes and Aitkenway beat the directions are as follows: at the traffic lights in Rothes take the left (when heading towards Aberlour) or right (when heading towards Elgin) down Green Street past the school towards the Spey. Opposite the turn off for Provost Christie Drive take a right turn down Greenfield Lane https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Greenfield+Lane+Rothes&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=7NERVfehHML2PKTsgdAP . At the end of the lane turn left and you will come to the hut after 100m. There is ample parking around the hut but please take care on the grass.
Remember this is a day for having a go so take your tackle/waders (not essential) etc. There will be a range of Gaelforce lines, and rods, to try plus you can try other's lines on your own rod.

13/03/2015

Last weekend it was with regret, this weekend it is with delight that we can announce that the rescheduled inaugural event of the Spey Cast Away Club will take place on Sunday the 29th March on the Rothes beat on the river Spey. James Chalmers, Gaelforce Flyfishing will be on hand to offer advice on all aspects of tackle and casting.

We hope that you will be able to attend what should be a very enjoyable event. We will start at 10am and finish at 2pm, but it will be a totally informal event so no need to rush along at 10, you won't miss anything.

We are indebted to the beat owners and management for facilitating access to this magnificent stretch of water.

Furher details will be posted closer to the date but we look forward to enjoying a cast with you on the 29th March.

07/03/2015

With regret, but considering the rising river level, we have come to the decison that it would be safer and wiser to cancel the Spey Cast Away Club meeting on the 8th March. The event will be rescheduled for a later date this spring when hopefully the river will not be bank high.
The lower Spey was rising all day and with all river gauges upstream still rising there is little prospect of the river dropping overnight.
We are sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this may cause but it is better that we reschedule and that it is a successful event when it does happen.
Please keep watching this page for information.
Brian Shaw/Jock Maclennan

06/03/2015

A wee note about directions to find the Castle Water Beat where the Spey Cast Away Club will meet on Sunday. Turn off the A96 roundabout for Baxters. Follow the road, which runs parallel to the A96 do not take first turn on left!. The road swings left but instead of turning right towards the Baxters shops/visitor centre etc keep straight on past the security hut. Please drive slowly, there is a low speed limit! Go down hill, bearing to the left then straight across the open area down the lane towards the treatment works. The left side of the lane is wooded with buildings on the right, one of which is the Baxters Laboratory. Follow the track along and round to the right until you come to where the Beat hut used to be and where there will be cars parked. There is limited parking at that point but plenty tracks where cars can pull off the road.
The event will run from 10am to 2pm but there is no need to arrive at 10. The day will be totally informal and you can dip in or out as you wish. The wind is supposed to ease on Sunday and hopefully the water is not too high!
Please observe the speed limit as you pass through Baxters. Call 07502302723 if you get lost!

28/02/2015

Just over a week to go to the first outing of the Spey Cast Away Club at Gordon Castle on the 8th March. The day will be very informal with lots of opportunity to gain advice on any aspect of tackle or casting. Those attending are encouraged to bring their own tackle along to get advice, or try different rods and lines. It is amazing what a difference a well balanced outfit can make.

James Chalmers will have the full range of Gaelforce rods and lines available to try and he will be on hand to pass on tips and advice to all present. I'm sure that James will demonstrate at some stage his long distance Spey casting skills but this should be more a day for us all to have a go and improve our casting skills rather than watch others.

It will be early March so please come well wrapped up for the weather. Look forward to seeing a good turnout next Sunday.

18/02/2015

More details about the Spey Cast Away Club event on the 8th March. Parking is limited so please consider car sharing. Refreshments available with donations in support of the charity chosen by the family of the late Bob Harrold at his recent funeral.
Offers of a better logo most welcome!

09/02/2015

The inaugural event of the Spey Cast Away Club will be held on Sunday 8th March 2015 at the Gordon Castle Water by kind permission of Angus Gordon Lennox. We are pleased to confirm that James Chalmers of Gaelforce Fly-Fishing https://www.gaelforceflyfishing.com will be in attendance to demonstrate the new range of rods and lines from this recently established company. James Chalmers, who is a World Champion Speycaster, will be familiar to many on the Spey from his association with Carron lines.
Further details will be posted soon but you are more than welcome to come along to watch, ask questions, seek advice about your own casting, pass on a few tips, practice, try new lines on your own rod, try a new rods or just for the craic.

I am James Chalmers from Scotland,World Champion Speycaster and founder of Gaelforce Fly-Fishing. I am a Salmon fly angler and have fly-fished for Atlantic Salmon passionately over the past 35 years. I have been fortunate indeed to fish on many of our own classic Scottish rivers, and at many wonder…