 Drumnadrochit sub-postmaster lands the fish of a lifetime
DAVID Paterson, the sub-postmaster at Drumnadrochit, caught the fish of a life-time last week with a cracking brown trout of 10lbs spinning from Bruce Wynne's boat on Loch Lochy.
This was in addition to previously boating a rainbow trout of 5lbs, which paled into insignificance as this fabulous brownie took off into the depths with the reel bearings running white hot.
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THE Thurso toiled last week with summer levels and a cloudless sky.
However, eight fish were caught with Gordon Hines and myself taking one apiece from the Corner Pool on Beat 3 with the covering influence of a stiff breeze up until mid-afternoon.
Gordon's fish was a tide bright 16lbs and mine a similar fish of 14lbs.
Both were tempted to size 10 orange shrimp flies of my own tying, which always makes one feel doubly satisfied.
Local angler John Cameron had a fine brace of 14lbs and 10lbs on Beat 6, as did John
Bojda with fish of 13lbs and 10lbs on Beat 2.
There was an opening ceremony held at the newly-formed "Ronnie Graham Pool" on Beat 9 in memory of the late Ronnie Graham, who had fished the river for some 40 years.
His nephew cast the first line as his stepmother, and stepbrother John Graham over from America for the occasion, stood nearby.
Ronnie's nephew James Haddon later landed his first-ever Thurso salmon on the Well Pool on Beat 2 - it weighed in at 13lbs.
John Goodman, a lifelong friend of Ronnie's who was also in the party, landed a lovely 13lbs salmon on Beat 2.
John Brown, a Thurso angler of some 45 years, presented John Graham with an oil painting of the new pool to take back to America.
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ON THE River Moriston the story was the same as water was in short supply.
George Nairn from Fersit near Roy Bridge landed the only fish of the week. At 10lbs it came to an Ally's Shrimp in the Estuary Beat.
| ON THE River Ness only the Dochfour Beat produced salmon, two of which were taken late on the Saturday before last by John Purnell.
Both came from Burnmouth and both fell to a one-inch Tube Fly.
John's fish weighed 10lbs and 15lbs, the smaller of which he sportingly returned.
This past week three were caught with ghillie Tom Rattray showing the way while having a "wee shot" of head ghillie Grant Sutherland's rod.
That size 6 Willie Gunn worked again and a fresh run 11lbs fish took it at Burnmouth. Nice one, Tom!
The week did, however, belong to young Darren Buchan from Gairloch taking the other two at 10.5lbs and 15lbs.
They were caught on a Devon at the Black Trees and the Gullett. Well done, that young man!
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ON THE Helmsdale it was "good sunbathing weather" last week but, with three inches of compensation water, 25 salmon/grilse went into the book.
The recent intake of fish seems to have vanished and the consensus is that they have slipped through to Achnamoine and Badanloch.
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THE Findhorn, although below summer level, did see some encouraging runs of fish slipping through at night although, under these conditions, they are virtually uncatchable. However, it is good to hear that fish are about.
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SADLY I have to report the
untimely passing of Sammy
Butcher (62), father of Achilty
Fisheries' Mark Butcher.
Sammy, always with a cheery smile and kindly welcome, had taken a very active part in running the fishery over the past couple of years.
He will be greatly missed on the foreshore by his many friends and colleagues. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his family.
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