River Ness produces nine
salmon despite running low
THE River Ness was running fairly low last week due to a number of factors, two of which were that the Oich and Moriston rivers had no generation water all week.As far as I know neither of those two rivers produced a fish last week which isn't surprising really. The River Ness however benefited from this unseasonable lack of water and produced nine salmon. The low water level combined with the cold water to slow down fish running the river to the loch and beyond. On the town water Brian King grassed a brace of super sea-liced springers on Tuesday and Wednesday. His first, at 10lb, was taken at the 'spout' below the Weir from the HoIm Mills side on a size 6 yellow Ally's Shrimp. He changed banks due to the wind direction on Wednesday and made contact with a thumper of 17lb which took a size 6 Tosh in much the same sport. It takes a brave man to change an already proven fly pattern! The salmon stayed in the 'pot' for about half an hour then took off down the fast water and into the Mill Stream, it was a further half an hour before this magnificent fish was tailed. Brian pulled a third fish but that was the 'one that got away'. THE Inverness Angling Club water should be a busier place with the first fish now off. There were reports of a third being caught but I don't have any confirmation on it.
ON THE Ness Castle beat their first salmon of the season were also caught. | THE Dochfour beat produced four salmon all of which came from the Weir Pool. Their first of the season was on Saturday, March 24 (it was also the first of the river this year) and weighed in at 9lb but unfortunately I don't have the angler's name although he did come from the Grantown area. Dr Young caught the second at 10lb on Wednesday and head ghillie Grant Sutherland took their third, also at 10lb on Thursday. Ala McGruar added the fourth on Saturday despite a very strong upstream wind, a tide-bright salmon of 11.5lb which was covered in sea-lice. That's as good a March week as I can remember on the river in the last half dozen years or so.
LOCH Ness produced a fine
12lb salmon for Angus
McGruar who was out with his
uncle Brent Smith from
Canada's British Columbia. The Kyle of Sutherland rivers have been a bit slow to get into their stride with the Cassley producing three on Saturday bringing their week's total to four.
THE Carron reported the odd fish taken, but it has been restricted to the ghillies only fishing. I believe it re-opened on Monday (Apr 2) with the obvious restrictions due to Foot and Mouth.
ON the Findhorn, a couple were caught at the Red Craig on the Association Water and a couple were caught on the beats immediately above, but so far nothing like last year's excellent early runs. TEN were taken on the Helmsdale last week and almost all of them from Beat 2 Below. Beat 1 is still closed and the Association Water restricted to 'local' anglers only - for the time being at any rate. Owing to popular demand, Inverness Angling Club's Fly Tying Classes have been extended by a further four weeks. Dalneigh Community Centre, 7pm on Thursdays.
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