Scottish Highlands fishing reports March 27th 1999

"Week ending Saturday March 27th 1999"

THE big tides last week brought significant runs of large multi-sea winter saImon into the Ness system and catches were again very encouraging, with somewhere in the region of 25 salmon being contacted.
The River Moriston enjoyed a grand week’s sport with 12 salmon being caught.
Five were taken on Tuesday, two of which were released, while four were lost.
Jimmy Dolier took one of 1O.5 lb on a 2.5 inch black/orange Devon and John Pestana, fishing a Yellow Belly, had two beauties at 11 lb and I 2 lb, releasing the latter.
Bobby Scott had a fine brace weighing lO lb each, one of which he released.
On Thursday Duncan MacKenzie had a lovely fish of lO.5 lb, which was tempted to his favoured Willie Gunn, tied up on a size 6 double.
Donnie MacKay, fishing the river on Friday, had a fish of 6.5 lb on a Toby and on Saturday Gordon Keff had one of 9 lb on a red/black Devon.
Also on Saturday Brian Luxton took three at 9.5 lb,9.5 lb and 9 lb on a Willie Gunn, a Tosh and an Aswood Devon and his third salmon was released.
Father and son team Ken and John Purnell had one apiece at 9.5 lb and 9 lb respectively. Both fell to a one inch Tube Fly.

THE River Oich produced
seven that I know of with
Inverness angler Raymond
Breau grassing a thumper of 25 lb on Monday and one of
13.5 lb on Wednesday. His brother Andy accounted for a similar one of 13.5 lb on Thursday.
Fishing Scotland author and angler James Coutts landed four, taking two on Monday and two more on Tuesday. He released the first fish taken on each day, which was both brave and commendable of him.
Monday’s first was l7 lb and fell to a Yellow Belly in Kytra and his second at lO lb took the same lure in Camelon. Tuesday’s first at 13 lb, also from Camelon, came to a red/gold Devon as did his final fish of 6.5 lb in Plotto. Owing to two block bookings being cancelled, rods are now available on 13 - 17 April and 26 - 01 May inclusive. Contact George Watson (Glendoe) on (01320) 366234.

JAMES Coutts was also in the frame, literally, while filming a programme for Carlton TV on the Garry last week.
On camera and with only his second cast demonstrating how to do it for the ‘actors’ - wallop, he hooked a salmon of l8 lb. This excellent salmon, now well documented, was released after its screen debut. Talk about being right on cue.
Rods are still available up until April 5. Contact Invergarry Hotel on (01809) 501206.

ON LOCH Ness, the only fish taken was by a seal the other day off the Horse Shoe at the Fort Augustus end of the loch. It was seen killing and devouring a lovely spring salmon.
The question is being asked by anglers on the loch is: "Why release a springer caught in the loch only to have it eaten by a seal?"

THE Thurso, with the water temperature at 42 degrees, fished well in the early part of the week with six on the bank.
Conditions were more suitable during the latter part of the week, but nothing landed that’s salmon!
A father and son team, both Jim Cameron to name, had one apiece from the Association Water with Jim junior’s at l3 lb and his father’s at I l lb.
George MacLean had a brace off Beats 4 and 11 at 9 lb and 10 Ib, Andy Wood a seven pounder on Beat 9 and M MacDonald an eight pounder on Beat 5.

LAST week the Helmsdale produced a dozen or so until Friday but their fish of the week belonged to 12 year old Duncan MacKay from Helmsdale. Fishing about half a mile away from his father, he hooked and played a beautiful sea liced 12 lb springer right to his feet. His father arrived just in time to help it swim into the net.

THE week before last the Brora saw 13 on the bank with Jamie MacGregor of Forss Hotel taking five of them. Last week’s four brought their total to 17 for the two-week period.

THE Kyle of Sutherland rivers again had big tides playing their part in bringing in reasonable runs of springers. The Carron anglers enjoyed excellent sport with 30 grassed, half of which were released.
Similarly, the Oykel had 12 and the Cassley has four.
Very encouraging statistics for the Kyle system and their conservation efforts.
Angus Craik is looking after the Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association’s Competiton Section and is organising the team selection for the Federation of Highland Angling Clubs and Associations Brown Trout Competition on Loch Watten on Saturday June 5.
If sufficient numbers come forward a fish off’ for the final three places may be on the cards.
Phone Angus on (01349) 830176 as it’s a day not to be missed, with over 60 anglers out on the day and a prestigious trophy to be won.

AT STONEYFIELD Lochs some good rainbows have found the net, with John Kidd landing one of 8lb I2oz on a Red Montana.
Mark Hill from Tain had one of 7 lbs 8 ozs on a yellow Gold Head.
On Sunday, another Tain angler, Mr Crowther, had a cracker of 12 lb 7 oz.
Their first competition of the season (doubles) is on Sunday March 28 at IO am.
Contact (01349) 852632 for further details.

These reports are written and compiled byKenny Macdonald and published every Thursday by,
the Highland News Group, Henderson Road, Inverness IV1 1SP,
in the Highland News, the North Star and the Lochaber News.

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