As with Grayling, the lower Dee, is not held in such high regard as the upper stretches. However, it does hold brown trout in reasonable numbers. To supplement the wild fish, BODSAA stock their waters with brown trout that are obtained locally.
Wild fish are not large, typically being between 6 ounces and a pound. Stocked fish are at the higher end of this weight being between three quarters of a pound and a pound and a quarter. In the faster water, the larger fish can prove to be quite a handful.
The odd fish is taken in excess of this weight, sometimes reaching 3 or 4 pounds. As with the large sea trout, these large trout are fortuitously taken by salmon anglers.
Most trout fishing is done on beats 1 & 2. Some wild fish are taken on beat 3 though little has been reported from beat 4. This may be through lack of effort rather than lack of fish.
Early season trout are taken from many lies, but especially some of the more sheltered water. This includes the tail of the Church Pool, Duke's, the tail of Pylons, Joby's, the tail of the mud flats, the tail of Plumly's, the bottom of the Graig Straight, the tail of Butresses, Johnny Morris' and George's.
Teams of dark flies tempt the early fish, with a weighted point fly to get the flies down useful. Nymphs such as Pheasant Tails and a Hare’s Ear are popular with spiders of various colours providing a supporting cast.
As the season progresses, fish move into the traditional summer lies, often in the runs between pools or in the heads and tails of the pools themselves. Indeed, fish can be found almost anywhere. Much of the water described above provides fish together with the Bridge Pool and the fast water down to Duke's, the Monk's Drain, Pump House, Cadbury's, the broken water half way down Plumley's, either side of the Graig Island, Graig Straight, and Nunnely's. Wild fish are often encountered on beat 3, in the shallower runs above the ferry crossing and around the shingles.
At this time the lighter, more sparsely dressed flies come into their own. Spiders such as the Black Pennell, Greenwells, Pheasant Tail, etc. take fish, with small palmered flies succeeding when the sedges appear in June and July. At this time fish are also taken on dry flies. These include hackled dries such as Black Gnats, Olives, etc. and Emergers such as CDCs, Klinkhammers, etc.
A bonus arrives in early June with the appearance of a fair hatch of Mayfly. These are not seen as a major food source but provide an entertaining interlude with some fish hurling themselves at the large flies.
Hatches of flies are experienced throughout the year, even in the coldest months. As the weather warms, these hatches become prolific.
During the summer months, mixed bags of trout and grayling are common as the fish take up similar lies.
EQUIPMENT
For most fly requirements, a rod of 8' to 9'6 rated #4 to #6 is ideal. The Dee, even in its lower stretches is not a large river and most trout hold in water that can be easily waded.
Floating lines cover most days, but detachable sinking leaders can add to your options.
Flies in the main should be tied on 12’s and 14’s and fished on a floating line. Nymphs and Spiders are effective. A typical team could include a half stone, greenwell's and a black pennell.
Thigh waders are required to allow best access to many of the better stretches for trout. Chest waders offer additional benefits but are not essential.
NOTE : Extreme caution should be taken when wading stretches with which you are unfamiliar. If in doubt, keep out.
NOTE : A fly only rule applies when fishing for trout on BODSAA waters. A limit of 2 fish per visit is also imposed, with catch and release allowed and encouraged. Please return fish carefully, holding them in the current to recover.
