Home > Thurso River Fishings Syndicate - Fishing season 2010

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BACKGROUND

The Thurso is among the best salmon rivers in the north and enjoys a long productive season, from 11th January to 5th October, and fish can be caught during every month. Currently the River fishes best from March to October with the larger catches occurring from July to the end of the season.

On average, the River produces around 1,250 salmon per year and fishing is by fly only, with no obligation to return fish. In recent years the catch has been rising and, as can be seen from the chart below, numbers of early running fish are increasing. This is of interest in that, historically, the Thurso offered some of the earliest and best spring fishing in Scotland.

Some heavy fish have been caught on the Thurso with fish of 47 lbs, 44 lbs and 36 lbs being taken several years ago, although nowadays, the vast majority of spring fish exceed 10 lbs and in 2009, several fish of over 20lbs were taken.

From mid-March to the end of May the Upper Beats tend to be most productive. The grilse can provide tremendous sport from July onwards and sea liced summer salmon enter the river, given the right water conditions, right through to the end of the season.

THE FISHINGS

Two rods fish on each beat, moving downstream by two beats each day, allowing both Upper and Lower water to be fished in one week. The beats provide a wonderful variety of fishing and whilst much of the river has a fine running character, some beats, particularly lower 3, as well as sections of 6, 7 and 12, are long and deep. These pools are invaluable for the conservation of fish stocks in hot, dry weather conditions and with a good wind to ruffle the water, they can be very productive.

The beats vary in length from just under one mile to three and a quarter miles, each having a variety of pools. For more information on the pools click this link

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