The Thurso River Fishings, Caithness
Salmon fishing on rotating beats - 2 rods per beat
Early Spring fishing by arrangement with Eddie McCarthy the River Superintendant
Thereafter from £470 per rod pw

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• Rules of Conduct
• The Beats
• Fishing Weeks
• Additional Photos

The Thurso is amongst the best salmon rivers in the far north, often coupled with the Helmsdale and the Naver. It enjoys a long productive season, during which fish can be caught in every month. Currently the river fishes best from March to October, with the better catches occurring from July to the end of the season.

From it's source, the Thurso threads it's way through the vast grouse moors of the Ulbster Estates, in Caithness. Below Loch More the river is divided into 14 beats, one of which is designated private for family use (ie The Private Water). The other 13 beats are numbered from the river mouth upstream. Beat 1 is reserved for the Thurso Angling Association and is excluded

The Fishings

The fishing beats on the Thurso provide a wonderful variety of fishing and whilst many parts of the river have a fine running character, some other beats, particularly beats 3, 6, 7 and 12, are long and deep; they are invaluable for the conservation of fish stocks in hot, dry weather conditions. They fish best in a good wind.

The system of rotation ensures that fishermen are able to fish a number of the beats. Beats vary between 1 and 3 ¼ miles and each beat is fished in rotation by two rods.

The river produces over 1,000 salmon per year. 2007 is proving to be another excellent year with prolific catches in July and August.

Fish can be caught in every month of the season, although the fishing really gets underway in late spring (late March, April and May). At this time, it is the upper beats that tend to be the most productive. They will usually fish particularly well, given high water, up to the end of May. June can be a wonderful month in Scotland, with the first signs of the weather hotting up and vegetation and trees springing into life. Fishermen eagerly await the arrival of the first grilse, which start appearing on the Thurso in early July and build up throughout July and August, spreading out well over the beats and awaiting suitable conditions to ascend the fish pass in the dam at Loch More. It is these fish which provide such excellent sport right through until the end of the season.

Rent

Fishing Huts

The majority of beats are provided with a simple fishing shelter. Beat 4 is served by the Ulbster Arms and Beat 13 by Lochmore Cottage.

Netting

The netting rights have been suspended on a trial basis for 5 years (2006 – 2010).

River Superintendent and Ghillies

The name of Eddie McCarthy has become synonymous with the Thurso River . The grandson of David Sinclair who worked on the river for 54 years, Mr McCarthy has worked on the river for over 30 years; he is assisted by Dougie Reid. Both employees manage the river on a day to day basis. It has been customary now for many years for fishermen in need of personal assistance to take on a ghillie for the week, by arrangement with Mr McCarthy. There is no shortage of knowledgeable and skilful local ghillies, each with a character of their own but all with a common interest in the river and a natural ability to make fishermen feel welcome.

Accommodation.

The Ulbster Arms at Halkirk has recently been refurbished to provide very comfortable accommodation close to the river.

Most fishing tenants stay at the Ulbster Arms in Halkirk. (Tel: 01847 831641, Fax: 01847 831206, Email: info@ulbsterarmshotel.co.uk .) Tenants are required to make their own arrangements direct with the hotel.

As in the past, fishermen will continue to meet Eddie McCarthy (River Superintendent) in the morning during their weeks fishing. Eddie will provide advice on flies, information on the previous days catch and water levels etc. He will also link tenants to a ghillie (if previously arranged) and direct tenants to the beat(s) allocated for the days fishing.

The Ulbster Arms has been substantially upgraded during 2007

Directions

From Inverness , follow the A9 in a northerly direction, passing through Golspie, Brora, Helmsdale and Dunbeath. At Latheron, turn left, continuing on the A9, towards Thurso, and remain on this road (passing the wind farm) for approximately 12 miles until Mybster. Turn left at this junction onto the B870 and continue for about 2 ½ miles towards Westerdale. The old bridge at Westerdale is situated between beats 8 and 9. Alternatively, if flying to Wick Airport , drive south through the town, crossing over the Wick River ; turn right on to Thurso Road (A882). After 5 miles, on reaching Watten, turn left on to the B870 to Mybster; at the junction with the A9, cross straight over and continue to Westerdale.

Travel

Despite its location in the far north-east of Scotland , the Thurso River is very much easier to reach than is often perceived. Although there are several travel options, those living in Caithness tend to use Inverness Airport . There are also direct services from Wick to Edinburgh and to Aberdeen , connecting to a variety of domestic and European flights.

Travel times are approximate and are given as a guide only: