The Deveron ranks seventh in Scotland for the number of salmon caught annually and holds the record for the UK's heaviest fly-caught 61lb salmon by Mrs Clementina (Tiny) Morison in 1924.
The Deveron rises in the Cabrach and joins the Moray Firth at Banff. It is about 64 miles long and has a catchment of 480 square miles. Coniecleugh Fishery lies approximately two miles downriver from Huntly. Access is off the Huntly/Portsoy road B9022 through Coniecleugh Farm. There is a car park here with a fishing hut and rod box.
Coniecleugh is a double bank, four rod beat of over 2 miles in length with 18 named pools. There is vehicular access to the Upper beat via 4x4, and a navigable path along the Lower beat to the new fishing hut at Lower Haddoch.
To the west of Coniecleugh is Speyside which is the centre of Scottish Whisky production with many distilleries there welcoming visitors. Other attractions include picturesque fishing villages of Portsoy and Cullen, and beaches at Sandend and Lossiemouth worth a visit.
Why you need to fish here
Coniecleugh water is a natural wild beat with few man-made obstacles and much of it has the appearance of a highland river with fast flowing water dropping 10m over its length, though there are a number of deep slower moving pools to offer a wide variety of fishing for most heights of water. The beat produces Salmon from late spring throughout the season with Sea Trout arriving from May and peaking in July and August with an average size of 3lb, though some can push double figures. The Deveron has a reputation for large Wild Brown Trout and specimens over 4lb are caught at Coniecleugh each season.
The Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout fishing’s comprise over two miles of the river Deveron.
There are 18 named pools, and the entirety is double bank fishing.
The beat is good fly water, with a good variation of pools and rapids for most water conditions.
There are two fishing huts – The main hut has a wood burning stove, gas hob and comfortable facilities. There is vehicular access to the Upper beat via 4x4, and a navigable path along the lower beat to the new fishing hut at Lower Haddoch.
