Top rod 15/1/17
The eagerly anticipated 2017 Scottish salmon fishing season finally got underway last week. A number of rivers in the Highlands opened their banks to anglers on Wednesday, including the Thurso, Helmsdale, Halladale and Carron. Opening ceremonies on both the Thurso and Helmsdale rivers were well attended. Unfortunately, the weather was not in a very festive mood, with gale force winds and snow showers affecting many parts of the country.
A number of rivers got their season underway last week
Winter showed its hand last week. Up until recently, it has been a reasonably mild winter but that all changed. A bitterly cold northwesterly wind established itself across Scotland from mid-week onwards. This resulted in some areas of the country experiencing heavy snow showers. Around 20cm of snow fell over higher ground and there were also some significant accumulations to lower levels. Over the weekend temperatures have started to rise once again as the wind has changed to a more westerly direction. This may lead some of the snow on higher ground melting, resulting in rising water levels early next week.
Heavy snow on Speyside
The weather next week is set to be much milder, with temperatures reaching double figures. Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry with some patchy drizzle in some areas. The dry theme will continue for most of the week with varying amounts of cloud and light winds, making for decent fishing conditions.
Water levels on rivers in the highlands were high for much of last week. Unfortunately, on opening day many anglers were confronted with a rising river, making conditions far from ideal. It is therefore hardly surprising that the first fish of the season in Scotland has not yet been caught. With a more promising weather forecast for the upcoming week, hopefully, water levels will be settled ensuring better fishing conditions. There are rods available on the Thurso river next week for anyone fancying an early season foray. Fresh fish have been caught in the past in January, so the Thurso river could be well worth a cast in the upcoming days.
Any icy scene on the Helmsdale river
The Helmsdale fishery board this year has very generously offered complementary fishing for all anglers during the first ten days of the season. This allows anglers to fish free of charge on the river during next week. Fishers just need to register at Belgrave Hotel in the village and then enjoy fishing on one of Scotland’s most prestigious salmon rivers. Given decent conditions, there is a chance that the Helmsdale may produce a fresh fish next week. It regularly produces fish in January and so is always a good bet for that early season springer.
Opening day on the River Tay
The salmon fishing season on the River Tay gets underway tomorrow. Traditionally, this is a big day in the Scottish salmon fishing calendar and people from far and wide travel to Perthshire to fish on opening day. Several fresh fish are usually caught on opening day and this year should be no exception if conditions are reasonable. With the weather being so mild this winter, water temperatures have remained quite high. I have spoken to a number of ghillies on the river in recent days and they have said that the water temperature was around 42, which is incredibly high for the time of year. This will hopefully mean that fresh fish will be well spread throughout the system, giving everyone a decent opportunity to catch that opening day springer. Of course, some anglers will have their eyes firmly set on the famous Redford Trophy which goes to the fisher that catches the largest salmon on opening day, so good luck!
The beautiful Dalmarnock beat
There is good availability on the Tay next week. With water temperatures unseasonably high, a fresh springer could be caught anywhere in the system from Loch Tay down to Scone. Next week there are rods available on the Dalmarnock, Dunkeld House and Stobhall beats. Dalmarnock is a productive middle Tay beat situated just upstream from Dunkeld. The beat has produced fresh regularly on opening day, the last being in 2015. Dalmarnock has an excellent variety of pools which means that the beat fishes well in most heights of water. With a good fishing hut and experienced ghillie, anglers are well catered for. Any of these Tay beats could produce that elusive spring salmon in the upcoming days.
A River Tay spring cracker
One by one, the rivers around Scotland are now beginning to open. It is highly likely that the first Scottish salmon of the new season will be landed this week and hopefully it will be one of many. At this time of year, the cost of a day’s salmon fishing is reasonable, even on some of the most famous spring beats, so why not have a cast? Nothing beats landing that hard fighting January springer!
We will be updating the “Top rod” feature again next Sunday. Until then, have a great time wherever you decide to book a rod next week. Hopefully, you may even end up being top rod!
Tight lines,
Sandy & Sam