The River Dee rises at 4000ft on the high Cairngorms plateau, the highest river source in the UK, and flows through Caledonian Pine Forests and farm lands to the North Sea at Aberdeen. It is one of the best salmon angling rivers in the UK and has several designated nature conservation sites along its route.

 The River Dee Trust carries out restoration and conservation measures on the River Dee and is raising funds for a  £2.2 million project to deliver an education program, support a tree planting project in the Upper Dee and help fund further easements of man made barriers to fish migration.

The auction ends on 30th November

To bid for the Dee Wading Jacket see lot 42

John Green of Hilltrek is seen on the left is relaxing with Robbie MacIntosh of Anatom at the Scottish Game Fair at Scone in glorious sunny weather

We had a very sucessful Scottish Gamefair last weekend where we introduced our products and services to many new customers.

There was much interest in our Dee Wading Jacket and in our made to measure service.

Field Sports users are very familiar with Goretex but not with the atttributes and benefits of Páramo, Nikwax Analogy and Cotton Analogy.

Sometimes we felt like missionaries rather than an outdoor clothing business!

We also had Superfeet, Anatom Boots and Teko Socks on the stand from Anatom.

Are our products taking off at the Game Fair?

Ken Reid Fisheries Development Officer at the River Dee Trust tested our Dee Wading Jacket in Iceland in a recent trip. Here is his story:

I visited Iceland in some of the wonderful salmon fishing on offer; there are so many fabulous rivers in this country sitting at the roof of the world. It’s been a must go venue to me for some time so when the opportunity arose over a beer with a friend in Argentina in January, I knew I would have to take the opportunity. Having fished in a number of countries around the world where you can encounter cold, wet and windy conditions, I knew Iceland would be no different. Prior to flying out though I paid a visit to Hilltrek to speak to owner Dave Shand as I was intrigued to hear about their bespoke facility for fishing jackets. Dave explained the principles around the design of their jackets using top quality materials which have stood the test of time such as Ventile. I was delighted to be given a jacket to field test and promised I would report back my findings in due course after it had been given a decent workout. The jacket was technically sound and had all the features I like to have in jackets I use when fishing around the world.

I met up with friends in Reykjavik and we organised our provisions needed for our visit to the Laxa in Adaldal River in the north of the Iceland . Ahead of us was a drive from the south of Iceland to the north via the town of Akyureyri and onto our fishing lodge, where we would meet up with other anglers staying at the Veidiheimilid Arnesi Lodge. We had 3 days fishing at this venue and then we headed back to the south west of Iceland to fish on the Holsa Thvera River , where the famous East and West Ranga Rivers enter it beside the lodge we were to stay in. I somehow managed to leave the big Laxa River having picked up the wrong wading jacket, however a phone call notified me of my mistake and the jacket was promptly retrieved to much hilarity from the lodge manager, who wanted to keep the jacket for himself. The journey over the highlands of Iceland was quite dramatic as the weather was a lot colder than back in Scotland , there were fresh snowfalls on the mountains indicating we were fishing in late autumn conditions. It really is a quite beautiful country where the roads are very quiet compared to the United Kingdom and this allows you to travel at a leisurely pace admiring the breathtaking scenery.

The fishing was carried out in tough weather conditions and the fishing jacket acquitted itself fantastically. As is often the case when fishing; when the weather is bad, the fishing is good. We were delighted to catch over 40 salmon throughout the week from both the rivers, whether fishing from the bank or wading above waist depth in icy cold waters. I was very comfortable thanks to the efficient breathable membrane and construction of the jacket, and at no times were there any problems with water ingress from persistent rain or deep wading. As a result of being comfortable I was able to concentrate on the job at hand where success is never easy when visiting new rivers to fish. I was delighted with the jacket, and I would be more than happy to endorse Hilltrek as a company that can deliver a quality bespoke garment to suit your needs. I look forward to fishing in Argentina in January 2011 where we will encounter force 9 winds and driving rain, in the knowledge that I will be comfortable when pitting my wits against the giant Sea Trout of Tierra Del Fuego at the world’s basement.

For more information on the River Dee Trust see www.riverdee.org and for information on fishing on the Dee see www.fishdee.co.uk

Dee Wading Jacket modelled by Bryan

Here is a ‘sneak’ preview of our new Dee Wading Jacket which we exhibited at the recent Scottish Game and Angling Fair in Edinburgh.  Susan, our designer, has been working hard over the winter months to perfect the jacket based on an original design spec from a customer.

We received an excellent response on the jacket at the Fair from both anglers and ghilles. The jacket is now being modified slightly based on feedback and it will receive further testing by a well known ghille who works on the River Dee.

We wanted to create a high specification wading jacket fitting for the River Dee, one of Scotlands top salmon fishing rivers, which flows past our village. The River Dee has international prominence as a spring salmon river rising in the high Cairngorm plateau to flow through majestic countryside past the Royal Estate at Balmoral. To find out more about the River Dee follow this link.

The jacket uses Cotton Analogy, which consists of a Ventile outer and Nikwax Pump liner inner. The aim was to develop a high specification wading jacket which is highly breathable, has excellent waterproof capability and is tough enough to withstand the rigours of game fishing on Scottish Rivers.

Dee Wading Jacket Side view

Features include two chest pockets, a rear outside pocket, several inner pockets, detachable hood,  front storm flap, d-rings, storm cuffs.

What is next?

After testing on the river and final tweeks, it will then be reviewed by Nikwax Fabrics and tested by Leeds University in their Rain Room -a minimum four hour resistance to 3cm of rain per hour.

If you want to be kept informed about availability please email your details to sales@hilltrek.co.uk

Watch this space.

The Scottish Game and Angling Show is a new event run by The Scottish Gamekeepers Association at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh from March 6th to 7th.

We will have a stand at the event showing our Ventile and Cotton Analogy Clothing Ranges  and also the Naturally Paramo range from Paramo Directional Clothing

For many years we have been supplying off the shelf and made to measure garments for gamekeepers, stalkers, ghillies, wildlife managers and rangers from Hilltrek and Paramo clothing ranges.  

We also work closely with local gamekeepers and rangers to trial our designs to ensure that they stand up to the toughest conditions across a wide range of activity and exertion.

Susan, who does our clothing designs, has been working hard over the winter months on our first venture into specific field sports clothing which we will exhibit at the show. – the Dee Wading Jacket.

The Dee Wading Jacket is a chest wading jacket named after the River Dee, one of the most famous salmon rivers in Scotland, which flows through our village.

It uses Cotton Analogy which consists of a Ventile outer and Paramo Pump Liner inner – a combination which is tough, waterproof and highly breathable.

We look forward to your feedback and see you at the show.