Spate · Granite · Moray / Speyside

River Avon (Spey)

River Avon (Spey) terrain map
Terrain map

The Avon is the Spey's biggest right-bank tributary, and by a respectable margin the clearest river in Scotland — it drains the Cairngorms through Tomintoul and Glenlivet before joining the Spey at Ballindalloch, and in low water you can see the bottom at depths where other rivers would be opaque.

Species

Day off — closed today

Reopens Monday. Use the day to walk the beats.

Closed — confidence not applicable today.
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
5°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Conditions
Level
0.48 m
Water temp
5.4°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
6°C
Wind
SE 11 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1000 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.2 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
13.5 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Avon is the Spey's biggest right-bank tributary, and by a respectable margin the clearest river in Scotland — it drains the Cairngorms through Tomintoul and Glenlivet before joining the Spey at Ballindalloch, and in low water you can see the bottom at depths where other rivers would be opaque. That clarity is a double-edged thing: the trout see you long before you see them. The Avon holds a good spring and summer run of salmon, fine wild brown trout throughout, and is the kind of upland Speyside water where a careful wade and an accurate cast earn their keep. Fishing is largely controlled by the big Speyside estates and through the Tomintoul Angling Association for day-ticket water; book ahead and expect to earn your fish.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon11 February → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5