A moment of tradition on Royal Deeside
There are some traditions that quietly mark the passage of time on Royal Deeside, and the opening day of the salmon season on the River Dee is one of them.
There are some traditions that quietly mark the passage of time on Royal Deeside—and the opening day of the salmon season on the River Dee is one of them.
This year, that moment was made all the more special as long-standing Glen Tanar ghillie, Colin Espie, was given the honour of making the ceremonial first cast. A familiar and much-respected figure on the Deecastle beat, Colin has spent a lifetime on the river, guiding generations of anglers and carrying forward a deep knowledge of the Dee.
The official opening took place on the Crathes Castle beat, where Colin followed tradition by blessing the river with a dram of Royal Lochnagar before stepping forward for that first cast—an act that signals not just the start of the season, but a shared sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
Colin’s connection to the Dee stretches back decades. He first stepped onto the riverbank as a 16-year-old in 1970, at a time when ghillies travelled by bicycle rather than pickup trucks, and days on the river looked very different to those of today.
From carrying rods across fields with no tracks to follow, to fishing in an era before catch-and-release became standard practice, his stories reflect both the heritage of the river and the evolution of angling itself.
Colin’s speech, delivered in his own understated and quietly humorous way, offered a glimpse into a lifetime shaped by the Dee.
He recalled his first opening day in 1971, fishing the Ferrar beat, and the memorable moment of seeing ten spring salmon landed across the river, eight from the Waterside pool and two from the Middle Kirk, details that will resonate with those who know the river well.
There were memories of cycling to the beat with heavy canvas waders, and reflections on a time when salmon might be sold for around £1 per pound, reminders of just how much has changed over the years.
He also shared stories of fellow ghillies, including Harold Burnett, whose character and humour remain part of local folklore, highlighting the people and personalities that have shaped life on the river over generations.
Opening Day is as much about people as it is about place.
Colin’s speech, delivered in his own understated and quietly humorous way, reflected a lifetime of stories from the river. From tales of cycling to the beat with heavy canvas waders, to memories of earlier days when salmon were sold for around £1 per pound, his words captured a living history that continues to shape the Dee today.
He also shared stories of fellow ghillies, including Harold Burnett, whose character and humour remain part of local folklore, reminding us that the river is not just defined by its landscape, but by the people who have worked and lived alongside it.
For many, Opening Day is a moment of optimism.
As Colin himself put it, fishing can feel a little like a game of chance, “hoping to hit the jackpot”, but on the Dee, the reward is often far greater than the catch itself.
At Glen Tanar, we are proud to be part of this enduring tradition and to celebrate the people who make it what it is.
We wish all anglers a successful season ahead, and always, tight lines.
