River Dee Opening Ceremony 2016

I attended the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 salmon fishing season on the River Dee yesterday at Banchory Lodge Hotel. The event is always well attended and this time was no different. This year the venue had to be changed last minute due to the bridges at Aboyne and Potarch being shut for repairs as a result of the flooding caused Storm Frank.

Banchory Lodge Hotel on the banks of the River Dee.

Marquee tent where drinks and bacon rolls were on offer to all that attended. A great time to reacquaint with friends, ghillies and anglers after the winter months.

Young Aberdeen and District Angling Association member Sean Rennie was presented with the Callum Mackenzie Cup for the best fish caught by a junior angler. Sean landed a sea liced grilse of around 4lb at a Junior Day held at park last August. It was a good day for the Aberdeen and District Angling Association as fellow member, John Fyfe received the Park Trophy for the largest fish of the season which was a 26lb salmon from the Crathie beat. Well done gents.

Sean Rennie receiving the Callum Mackenzie Cup for his fish last year at the Park Junior Day.

John Fyfe receiving the Park Trophy for his 26lber from Crathie.

Deacon Blue drummer and TV presenter, Dougie Vipond had the honour of the first cast this year and he made a great job of it considering the howling gales. He is a passionate countryman and his enthusiasm and love of the countryside came through as he addressed the 200 strong crowd. He blessed the river with the customary quaich of whiskey and made a few casts in the Hotel Pool. It was good to have the river open for business again after the torrid winter of flooding and rain. Fingers crossed it's a good season to keep spirits high on the angling front up and down Deeside.

Dougie Vipond addresses the crowd with ghillie, Craig McDonald to his right and River Dee Director Mark Bilsby to his left.

Dougie made a passionate speech about Scottish countryside which was received very well by the audience.

Dougie takes a quick sip of the whisky before blessing the river to signal the official start of the 2016 salmon fishing season on the River Dee.

The whisky going into the river.

The ceremonial first cast with Glen Tanar estate ghillie, Craig McDonald.