Book review: Great Salmon Rods of the Dee and Spey

There’s no doubt that Iain Ogden has meticulously researched his subject matter.

In over 40 years of regularly casting a line over the length and breadth of both the Dee and the Spey, the author has befriended countless fishers, ghillies, factors, and lairds, who were collectively privy to a wealth of salmon angling knowledge and insight.

Great Salmon Rods of the Dee and Spey by Iain D Ogden

You can tell he spent hours in factors’ offices, castle libraries and estate mansions investigating potential material in an effort to determine total numbers of salmon caught, details of monster fish, record bags and photographs of note on each prospective protagonist.

He has gathered together a host of amusing stories, quotes and anecdotes to humorously punctuate this book.
A fascinating and fun read, even to a non-fisherman.

Great Salmon Rods of the Dee and Spey by Iain D Ogden, £25.

Scottish Field rating: ****