Nets are now fuller
thanks to the kelts
 THE snow certainly got a "hurry" last week and as the rivers settled back to fishable heights some good sport was enjoyed through-out the north, albeit kelts providing the majority of tight lines.On the Ness system, seven clean-run salmon were accounted for which is indeed good news for February. Ala McGruar opened the River Oich's 2001 season with a brace of excellent salmon at 12lb each spinning in Camelon last Thursday. Graham MacKenzie also landed a sea-liced 12lb salmon from the same pool on Friday, a Devon minnow accounting for all three fish. Neil Fraser was in the Estuary Beat on Friday and landed a 9lb sea-liced salmon from the Glendoe side on 2.5" black/orange Devon. Friday was, of course, February 16 and on the same day in 1999 and 2000 the first salmon were taken from Glendoe, that's three consecutive years that the February 16 has seen the season's first salmon there. You know what date to book up for next year! There have also been a good number of very large kelts (15-20lb) in evidence which is very encouraging for the river's future stocks. In the Estuary, Neil also landed a kelt with fresh seal marks which isn't such a good sign for them unfortunately. The River Garry produced two salmon of 7lb each for Paul Burden and his companion who were spinning at its estuary into Loch Oich. The first salmon of the season from Loch Ness was caught by Malcolm Riddle of Inverness trolling from one of Glen Moriston's estate boats off the mouth of the Moriston River. That clean-run salmon weighed in at 7.5lb. | The Beauly Angling Club water opened on Monday, February 12 and a good turnout of anglers enjoyed a fine day, even if the river was a bit on the high side. Mike MacDonald returned two excellent conditioned finnock of just under one pound apiece which he contacted on Mealloch. The Brora, true to form, produced its first salmon of the season last week. Donald Cameron took salmon of 7lb and 8lb from the Madman, the first of which he sportingly returned. Both fish had been in the river for a few days and both came to a Willie Gunn, a fly which originated on the Brora and the pattern of which I gave in Tight Lines last week. The story of the week however belongs to the Thurso River that also produced its first salmon of the season last week. The fish came from the Quarry Pool on Beat 4, weighed 10Ib and was still carrying sea-lice marks. It was being hauled from the pool by an otter amid a tremendous commotion and being totally absorbed in his task, wasn't aware of the arrival of Willie Johnston and his dog until the last moment. The salmon was dropped as the dog was spotted and the "angler" made a hasty exit from the scene. With the head section duly cut away it was ready for the table. The river is dropping back nicely and should produce a "rod caught" salmon any day now. The fish are there, the otter proved it!
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