103 days.
One hundred and three days — that’s the stretch of time between the close of the salmon fishing season on Aberdeenshire’s River Don on 31 October 2025 and the long-awaited opening day on 11 February 2026.
One hundred and three days.
It may not sound like much to most people, but to a fisherman, it feels like an eternity. I don’t even fish for salmon, and I feel it.
And then there are us trout fishermen. We have even longer to wait, with the brown trout close season running from 6 October 2025 to 15 March 2026.
That’s 160 days.
3,840 hours.
230,400 minutes.
One doesn’t wish one’s life away… but honestly, come on!
Opening Day – 11 February 2026
The water level on SEPA’s gauge at Haughton (Inverurie) stood at 3.7 metres and was falling — albeit painfully slowly. For now, it was still too high to fish.
The run of extreme weather we’ve endured since the turn of the year was finally beginning to ease, and conditions were starting to look more favourable — particularly for migratory fish pushing their way into the river system.
With a bit of luck, the river might just be fishable in time for the official Opening Day Ceremony.
Opening Ceremony – 14 February 2026
Whilst the non-fishermen among us were preparing Valentine’s Day breakfast-in-bed for their wives and girlfriends, we hardy souls of Inverurie Angling Association were hard at work.
Gazebos were lashed together with cable ties, flood debris was cleared from the riverbank, and quaichs were carefully polished as we prepared for the Annual River Don Salmon Fishing Opening Ceremony.
(A quaich is a traditional Scottish, two handled drinking cup, which is also known as a ‘loving cup’. It symbolizes trust, love and hospitality and is used in various ceremonies in the Scottish culture).
Marchers ASSEMBLE
At 8:30am, around 50 people gathered in St Andrew’s Church Hall in Inverurie. The group was a mix of fishermen and women, dignitaries, and professionals — all connected by a shared interest in the health and future of the River Don.
Old friendships were rekindled, stories exchanged, and we enjoyed coffee accompanied by warm butteries.
For the uninitiated, a buttery — also known as an Aberdeen roll, or “rowie” — is a traditional flat, dense bread roll from the North East of Scotland. Salty, flaky goodness. The sort of thing you’d rather not be seen eating more than one of by your local GP. Think of it as a Doric croissant. Divine.
At 9:30am, I invited everyone to gather on the pavement outside in preparation for the march down to the riverside.
Our two pipers from Inverurie Pipe Band were already tuned up and waiting, pipes at the ready, to lead us the half mile to the water’s edge.
Ceremonial Duties
Few people truly enjoy public speaking. But in the absence of the President of the Inverurie Angling Association — currently stationed on an oil rig in the North Sea — I was more than happy to step in and facilitate the ceremony. It was an honour.
After the welcomes and introductions, I invited the Provost of Aberdeenshire to say a few words. This was Provost Judy Whyte’s third time attending the ceremony, and she spoke eloquently about the significance of this remarkable river and its importance to the wider community.
Dr Lorraine Hawkins of the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board followed, offering a thorough and insightful overview of the current health of salmon stocks and the ongoing work required to protect and sustain them.
Finally, the local minister, Rev Rhona Cathcart, delivered her blessing for the 2026 season. Although I’m not religious in any way, I have to admit — this was my favourite part of the proceedings.
Whisky Galore!
I held our ceremonial quaich steady as Cat Leiper from the local Glen Garioch Distillery topped it up from a newly opened bottle of Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve Single Malt.
We found a firm part of the recently flooded river bank and I handed the full quaich to Rev Rhona Cathcart. She finished her blessing of the River Don and ceremonially ‘slung’ the whisky into the fast moving water. A tradition that takes place on salmon rivers throughout Scotland.
The First Cast
Provost Judy Whyte made the official “First Cast” on the River Don for the 2026 season, under the expert guidance of Mr Fred Hay. She sent a fine Spey cast arcing out into the fast-moving waters of Bisset’s Pool — and although she persevered for 15 minutes, she had no luck.
With the formalities complete, we lingered on the riverbank in the warmth of the winter sun, chatting and enjoying hot sausage rolls, generously provided by Mr Jim Adie and Inverurie Precast Ltd.
Now, our focus turns firmly to the season ahead.
Tight lines and roll on March 15th!
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