Freestone · Mixed · North East / Aberdeenshire

Ythan

Ythan terrain map
Terrain map

Small northeast freestone river with a specialist reputation — one of Scotland's finest sea trout fisheries, with larger fish than you expect from a river of this size.

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
6°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature2230% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
0.78 m
Water temp
6.2°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
SE 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1002 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
10.2 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
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

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

Directions
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About this water

Small northeast freestone river with a specialist reputation — one of Scotland's finest sea trout fisheries, with larger fish than you expect from a river of this size. Summer sea trout (June–September, peaking July–August) dominate; salmon present but secondary. Brown trout in the upper reaches. The lower river is tidal and the estuary (a nature reserve) concentrates fish. Fish sea trout with smaller dries and nymphs in broken water; night fishing productive. Accessible fishing relative to famous neighbours.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon11 February → 31 October
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts