Part 1: The March Pool at Ballindalloch Castle River Spey Scotland - 15lb Atlantic Salmon Fishing

The March Pool at Ballindalloch Castle River Spey Scotland
It will come as no surprise that I yearn to return to the beats of the Middle Spey each June. Although I can’t deny it is the pursuit of the river’s silver salmon that is foremost in my mind, the lure of Speyside is about so much more. Just being here brightens me, clears my mind and every breath of the fresh clean air I take renews my passion and love for this part of the world.
It’s been a long year since I last cast a line across this magical river. It’s early June and I’m fishing this week at the famous Ballindalloch Castle beat. I’ve arrived to find the river in perfect condition and I am seeing fish moving across the runs and pools of the beat as they make their titanic journey upstream.
The weather is favorable. There is a warmth in the air but the snow melt is encouraging a cooler river and the salmon are agitated and appear aggressive. I’m hoping this is putting them in a taking mood for the fly.
I’m starting this morning at the March Pool at the top of Ballindalloch where the beat Marches with Tulchan’s D beat. It is a famous pool, marred only by the fact it lies on the boundary of the two estates. It is common for anglers to fish from Tulchan, wishing they could continue past the boat and fish the pool to its conclusion. Equally frustrating for the Ballindalloch rods that can only gaze upstream at the March Pool’s beautiful and inviting neck as the river rolls down through Tulchan estate. On a more positive note, I’ve fished both the pool many times from Ballindalloch and Tulchan with equal success, so watching angler’s need not be concerned. Even so it would be a joy one day to fish it from neck to tail. Many a Spey angler’s dream, I’m sure.
I know this is a pool that can produce fish anywhere so I’m going to start to fish right up at the boundary with a short line. I’ll try and cover as much of the water as I can to maximize my chances of encountering a taking fish. I’m fishing a full floating #9 set up on my 14’ Scott MacKenzie FX1. I’ve been encouraged to use a Foxford Shrimp today by the Ballindalloch Ghillie Steve Brand.
I feel a take, a fish has sipped the fly and it knows its hooked immediately and has turned quickly. This is what I wanted. The fish will have secured the fly by turning so sharply and I’m sure it will have a good hold. It’s on. I can feel a bit of weight behind this fish.
It's a strong fish and it pushes upstream right away and it is almost parallel to me when it must sense my presence and puts in a strong run. I love the sound of my Saracione reel as it purrs to me almost as if speaking to me. The fish continues to push away and shake strongly and my reel responds appropriately. I’ve set the drag hard enough to ensure the fish can run without the risk of breaking my leader if the fish produces a sudden burst of power.
What a wonderful place to be playing a wild Atlantic salmon. This is the most famous salmon river in the world and the weather has been kind to me as I play out this fight with this wonderful fish. It’s difficult to take it all in at the same time but from time to time the fish lets up a bit and allows me to take it all in. There are not many places in the world I’d rather be, that is for sure.
It’s a game of cat and mouse as the fish runs back and forth and I try to maintain pace with it and keep the line taught. I just keep at it and tighten the drag a little at a time as I feel the fish weaken. It takes time and effort but I get it close enough eventually to get a good look at it. 4.21 It’s a bright shining bar of silver. It’s what I have been searching for.
I can’t deny it, I get anxious. I know the longer this fish is played the higher the chances it will get off before I land it. It is a tense stale mate as the fish refuses to come to heel and the fish maintains its strength and leaves me languishing in despair.
One last bid for freedom and I see it keel over and the bright sun shines off the salmon’s flank. It’s had enough and knows it’s beaten. I slowly but surely guide it towards the beach. There is little resistance but I maintain the tension in the line and reach calmly and have it by the tail on the first time of asking.
This salmon is as fresh as they get. It is in absolutely pristine condition and a worthy opponent. This is what anglers come to the River Spey for. A beautifully sculptured shining wild Atlantic salmon on the fly. This is one of the prettiest salmon I’ve caught anywhere and to catch it here on Ballindalloch’s March Pool in such glorious conditions makes it very special.
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[@a1samh97]

One of the very best videos on this topic I have ever seen, from the videography to the commentary. Thank you for sharing. Great job...

[@FinLineFly]

Hey thanks so much for the kind comments! I'll need to work extra hard on Part 2! Please have a look at my Junction Pool at Ballindalloch videos if you enjoyed this one! Tight lines!!

[@davidquinn7144]

That bring it back I fished this beat for years when my great friend worked there .

[@FinLineFly]

Thanks for stopping by. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. It's a wonderful pool on one of the classic Spey beats! Stick around for Part 2 from the opposite bank!! Tight lines!

[@steelhd32]

I love the overhead shots of you casting - a thing of beauty. Nice fish and well played. Soon!

[@FinLineFly]

Thank you very much! This is the beat immediately downstream of Tulchan as I described. You will fish this pool but the upper half. From the neck down to the boat you can see in the background. It can be fish from the boat if need.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Amazing video! The story is very nice! Great footage.

[@FinLineFly]

Thanks for your kind words! glad you enjoyed it - TIGHT LINES!

[@PaulConnor100]

Well done! Lovely fish there so addictive👊

[@FinLineFly]

Yes it is VERY addictive!! Great spot for sure! Tight Lines for next season!

[@thedoggedangler]

That was a fantastic looking healthy fish - wow! The planets have aligned and out of the blue I got an invite to fish Ballindalloch (Pitcroy) in a week or so's time! So looking forward to it givenm the inspiration from your wonderful videos! Just hope its not too early in the season but I will give it everything and enjoy it I'm sure. Thanks once more for sharing!

[@FinLineFly]

Yep that was a superb fish for me. I was well chuffed! Tight lines on Pitcroy!!!

[@delagreenpicti2022]

Another fantastic production Paul !.👍🏻 When are you coming home🎸

[@FinLineFly]

Cheers glad you enjoyed. Will be back in few months to fish the Spey but will be another few years till we are back permanently!

[@harleyhillgang]

Beautiful river Paul! Looks like a pool that would lend itself to the DRY...agree witth @Steelhead Jim- you are a superb long stick caster my friend! Keep the vids coming...Mike

[@FinLineFly]

Appreciate the positive feedback. You know I didn't think about the dry here but your right for sure. Would you skate or dead drift in this conditions? I'm not up to speed with dry fly for salmon. Any advice appreciated!

[@harleyhillgang]

@@FinLineFly I would dead drift a large fluffy bomber-here I gravitate to a brown bodied white ears and tail to prospecting dry fishing any lies you deem possibly populated...The challenge will be to catch the take my friend. To my mind it is the most exciting .2 seconds on a salmon river!

[@FinLineFly]

@@harleyhillgang Fantastic! Much appreciated. You are the King of the Dry!!

[@gregwood4653]

Congratulations on a great fish in an iconic river. I really enjoyed this video, looking forward to Part 2

[@FinLineFly]

Thanks for the kind words! Makes the effort worth while when folks enjoy the videos! Tight lines!

[@paulwatson2712]

Beautiful beat, last time we fished there we had to make way for the future King!!

[@FinLineFly]

That would have been annoying for sure! Lovely beat though! Looking forward to getting back there next year! Tight lines

[@Hardlinesangling]

Another fantastic video encapsulating what salmon fishing is all about. Beautiful fish.

[@FinLineFly]

Thank you very much! It's not hard to enjoy this place especially when these beautiful fish are around. Tight lines!

[@okanaganoutdoors]

Love it! Good video good fish

[@FinLineFly]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching! Really appreciated!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@FinLineFly]

Hey thanks so much! Appreciate your comments glad you enjoyed it!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

@@FinLineFly Thank you very mutch... have a nice day.... see you….

[@xiaoqiangw]

what fly line is it? it rolls out perfectly

[@FinLineFly]

It's the Scott MacKenzie full floating shooting head line MK3. It's a great line. FYI I add a 10ft airflo poly leader (in this case it was a floating version) but sometime I'll use hovers and sinking polys. I think it givers better turn over with the poly. Also I was using 10ft of 12lb fluoro here.

[@flyasfukfishing8631]

another beautiful fresh spey fish beached and tailed with a dry hand and glove on 🙈 these days there is no excuse for not having a net on your back its probably the cheapest bit of tackle you "should" have 🤷🏻‍♂️ it should be mandatory to have one you at all times

[@FinLineFly]

Interesting comments. Clearly, you are concerned about my handling of salmon yet state no concern of the fact I've just dragged it round the Spey for 20 minutes by a hook through its jaw to the point of its exhaustion such it takes a good 10 minutes to recover. I've kept it in the water except for a couple of seconds for a photo. FYI, on many rivers, handling fish without a glove is not permitted. To be honest, to pick up on such minor points render your comments irrelevant. Thanks for watching nonetheless.

[@flyasfukfishing8631]

@@FinLineFly its actually been proven that tailing gloves are bad for the fish also surely it's better to let the fish recover in a net that you holding it by the tail we should be looking after these silver tourists as best as we possibly can with numbers and diseases the way they are 🤷🏻‍♂️dont get me wrong back in the day beaching fish was not a big deal as most of them we're getting chapped but things have changed as im sure you're aware so we should do out best for them if we're releasing them 🤷🏻‍♂️ either way your videos are brilliant to watch and very well put together keep up the good work on that front and best of luck for the 2023 season 👍🏻