The Kelpie Pool Atlantic Salmon at Lower Crathes West Durris on the River Dee in Scotland

This is is one of my favorite casts on the Dee!
Lower Crathes West Durris is probably the finest beats on the lower section of the river Dee in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is famed for the high quality of pools and the fish it has it produced to the fly over the years.
The Kelpie Pool is a delightful pool to fish the fly for the river’s renowned Atlantic salmon. From the shingle the river flows into the neck of the Kelpie Pool where the water picks up, with some pace, as it flows over the shingle and into the slower deeper main run of the Kelpie. Depending on the height of water salmon can lie anywhere in the pool; in low water, salmon can be seen at times skirting over the shingle at the neck as they make their heroic journey upstream. The Kelpie takes its name from the mythical aquatic spirit that appears in the form of the horse. The centuries old legend was born from the large stone in the pool which was mistaken on a dark misty night to be the head of a Kelpie. The stone is of course known to every angler as the Kelpie Stone.
The Kelpie is an intriguing pool to cast a fly and is particularly affected by water height. It is important to fish the pool carefully which will often require different tactics and set ups on a single run through it to get the best from it.
From the north bank, the neck is fished by wading tight to the bank with short delicate casts that allow the fly to swing tantalizingly through the shallows before dropping into the deeper water. As an angler progresses down the pool it is necessary to leave the water and fish from the green grass of the bank. Stealth is required and is key to success in this section of the pool. Fish will lie off the Kelpie stone in numbers waiting to run the shingle bar so it is import to fish the lies off the stone thoroughly. Although often overlooked, after the stone an angler should again enter the water and wade through to the tail on the soft sandy river bed. A long cast is required to cover all the potential lies in the tail.
This lively summer fish took a lightly dressed fly on a full floater with a slow sink tip off the north bank. Typical of a grilse; writhing, twisting and turning as it tries to evade capture. It’s really putting up a strong fight and it is no wonder really that so many grilse are lost when you see them doing this. I’m told they have a softer mouth than the multi sea wintered fish also but I’m not sure if that’s true. If anyone watching knows anything about this, then please leave a comment below. Luckily Jordan is here and ready with the net and has it in the net at the first time of asking.
The south bank is a straightforward wade from top to tail. Care should be taken as the depth of the water can be deceiving as the pool drops away toward the tail. I’ve probably had equal success off both banks but I do favor the south bank if only for its consistency and ease of wading and navigation. I enjoy fishing the Kelpie immensely. The pool will produce fish all year round but netting a fish on either bank can be a struggle without a ghillie’s helping hand. This back end south bank fish took my fly on a fast sink tip opposite the Kelpie stone. It’s a good strong fish and it’s giving a good account of itself. I’m not going to try and net or grass it so I bide my time and tail it by hand. I’m keeping it in the water but it’s still got plenty of go about it and it’s away quite quickly. You can see the bank repairs here from Storm Frank which destroyed most of the south bank of the pool a few years ago. The estate did a great job of the repair work needed.
This is a fantastic example of a back end cock fish displaying its breeding colors. They are such a dramatic change from the bars of silver we see in Spring and Summer. This mesh of browns, golds, oranges and reds is mesmerizing, this is such a beautiful specimen. We keep him in the water till he recovers and gets ready to continue his journey out of the Kelpie to the spawning grounds of the Dee where he was born.
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[@eamonnpower6981]

Another great film - whetting the appetite for an upcoming visit to Deeside - thanks for sharing 👍

[@FinLineFly]

Excellent I hope you have a good trip! Tight lines!

[@harleyhillgang]

Poetic Paul! Great releases and Love that your ghillie gets one last crack at the Dee! Cheers, Mike

[@FinLineFly]

Hey thanks for watching! Jordan was 2nd Ghillie here for a number of years. He's moved on to manage his own beat a bit further up river. One of the best of the river!

[@SportFishingAsia]

Beautiful as always Paul

[@FinLineFly]

Many thanks! It's a nice place for sure.

[@adayaquarium9900]

Nice view

[@FinLineFly]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!