Salmon fishing on the River Thurso August 2023 Day5

They water temperature was still hovering around 20oC and stoping the fresh fish that had come into the ytem from looking at any flies the anglers had to offer. there were a lot of fresh salmon seen entering the lower pools and heading upstream

[@paddydunne99]

Well Ian that was interesting with the sunray shadow I was hoping my suggestion would prove me right. Better luck on the next one. Enjoying your videos.

[@IainSB]

Thanks Paddy I probably don't give the Sunray enough of an outing . it's all about confidence maybe on day I'll get a fish on the big flies and use it a lot more Cheers Iain 🥃

[@andrewcrawford5278]

Thanks for an excellent series of videos on the Thurso. The river looked really fishy and in good condition but you were getting every season in half an hour. Well done for keeping your motivation and hopefully you’ll get your reward the next time your fishing

[@IainSB]

Last day coming up Andrew I could have gone for a swim in the water it was so warm. I think that it would have put the fish off for a long time joking apart it was a struggle for all that were fishing . Cheers Iain 🥃

[@thedoggedangler]

Another great video Iain, You tried hard! One of those periods where the fish are 'sulking' and refuse almost anything. Tough conditions . weather, pressure, water temp! Maybe a surface fly- a hitch or sunray as you changed to but if they are 'dour' it may make no difference and we have all had days like that.

[@IainSB]

The water temp was against us. from memory it was in the 20c area and I don't think a fish came of the river . I can't remember if you have watched day 6 on the Thurso but I had a cracking day considering that I have been told that no one ever catches fish in Lady Whiteman,s pool. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@chefylad]

some lovely throws there Ian

[@IainSB]

Thanks bonnie Lad The camera makes it look like I am casting further that I really am . I do enjoy casting and think that it is a big part of all anglers days out Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@caorach3354]

You put in another good shift Iain but they just weren't having it. At least you've had a few and seen some for all the hard work, I think that's a lot more than many of us this year.

[@IainSB]

I know of a lot of good anglers that normally do a bit of catching and they are finding it difficult I think its all about right place at the right time Cheers Iain 🥃

[@PaulConnor100]

Hard going Iain ,think your right about the Sunray scares our fish more than taking. Tightlines 👍

[@IainSB]

I have never given them a decent outing Paul but now and again chase the salmon up and down pools . Cheers Iain 🥃

[@PaulConnor100]

@IainSB I have experimented a number of times only to be out fished by old favourites in the end 🤷‍♂️

[@russkkay]

You just know that there are hundreds of fish getting covered without an offer, very frustrating. Yes the micro hitch may work better that’s what I would be focussed in using, or a small Frances. Thanks for posting, really enjoy your videos. Tight Lines

[@IainSB]

Thanks Russ other anglers were trying hitched flies without any success and I even dragged sun are shadows about the surface in a hope of getting a daft one. Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@stephenlewis195]

Thought this was it Iain nice bit of cloud cover water bang on fish rising everywhere, and nothing wanted the fly and that wind picked up yet again and had to spoil it. When it did rain I thought that would get them moving but so frustrating to see so many fish there and nothing playing ball. Great video Iain keep at it mate. 🍷 Steve.

[@IainSB]

Thanks Steve. there were a lot of disappointed anglers in the bar in the evening but things soon brightened up with the stories that came out and the prospect of the last days fishing. Another chance to catch a fish. Cheers again. 🥃

[@mazo2267]

Back to the bar I think. Another real mix of weather you had there Iain. By the sounds of it you weren't alone in recording a nil return! Quite a few fish showing just not for the fly.. 😎🍺

[@IainSB]

I think that there was only one wee fish caught on the Friday Mr Mazo . conditions weren't for the anglers. Like so many anglers that return to the Thurso if you hit it right it's great fun . I have often had 7 fish in a day in August Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@jamescompston2678]

You got all the weather that day Iain! Looked lovely again... August can be a funny month, with fussy or disinterested fish... if you are out anther day tight lines! Cheers James 🥃

[@IainSB]

Thanks James all the anglers that were on the river were finding the fishing difficult I think that everyone was putting it down to the warm water The water temperature has fallen now and the river hight is around 18 inches . anglers on the Thurso are having fun this week Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@user-cq3kc8ll2h]

Caught off course on 3/4 inch Waddington

[@IainSB]

we are quite lucky ton have so muck armour in our tackle bag Michael ........ Cheers Iain 🥃

[@user-cq3kc8ll2h]

I once 8 fish in an afternoon on fences

[@IainSB]

I have had big numbers of the lower beats in the summer when the conditions were right . I had seven fish on consecutive cast from the Hoy pool . beat 4 now and again we have red letter days and it happens on the Thurso quite often Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@DiggingSmith]

Those fish are being terribly fussy, your weather looks like ours lately, sunny one minute, raining hard and blowing a gael the next. and then the bugs are out thick.

[@IainSB]

It has been a strange year Andrew and hopefully when the weather cools a little we will get a decent Autumn run Cheers Iain 🥃

[@darenrayson7052]

Hiya Ian have you ever thought on triying the hitch in the fast streamy water.. 👌way to take a salmon. Tight lines

[@IainSB]

Hi Daren There were 24 anglers on the water trying everything apart from dynamite The water temperature was up at 20oC and was putting the fresh fish off. I had even tried dragging sunrae shadow about . just difficult conditions I think that the fish that were getting caught were just about all on 14s or 16s Cheers Iain 🥃

[@WeeManSham]

The Sunray woke some up but none wanted to pick a fight! 🎣

[@IainSB]

It's the first time I have given it a good shot. fish were not interested in anything . Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@fredblogsmac.5697]

Hi Iain, on the lower Ness we now have an arcidimies screw, it is perfect to see smolts descending and this year I stood for at least 15, mins and counted how many smolts I saw t then did some maths and worked out the adult salmon run and I did it 3 times with 3 different people to help me and it comes out at about 150 a year of adult salmon, or 1.3 salmon a day running the river, this year on the town water I believe we may only have had about 20 caught and over the years I wonder about recaught salmon skewing up the numbers, say one salmon in a pool gets caught 3 times. on paper that's 3 adult salmon, back in the 80,s and up until recently we would be at 150 or more caught by now

[@fredblogsmac.5697]

also there, there are shallows about 1 mile above the sea in Inverness where you can see everything that passes, Back in the 80,s we would see groups of salmon running about 5 too 20 fish in a group every 2 to 5 minutes depending on the tides and time of year, now you can stand there till you turn into a pillar of salt and you never see an adult salmon swim past,

[@IainSB]

I think that this year has been a poor year for numbers returning. if we go on the five year cycle this is the norm for returning salmon ....... I think that there are less salmon in the rivers from five years ago which is quite scary Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@jamesgreig4805]

Getting frustrating when there fish in the pools🤞next time.

[@IainSB]

You bet Next time 👍. Cheers again. 🥃

[@andrewshepherd1579]

Total rip off fishing these Scottish rivers. It is criminal. Fishing should be affordable for all people in the country like it is in Denmark and there you can actually keep fish too.

[@IainSB]

Hi Andrew The worst part of fishing I n Scotland is the excessive charges that hit fisheries . On the river Tweed for instance the tweed commissioners charge around £50 each salmon going over a five year average . then the fisheries have to pay insurance . and letting agents such as fish pal ...... I know of some beats on the Tay that do not make any money and are run more as a hobby than a money making machine . the Scottish movement look at salmon fishing as elitist sport and do nothing to help . the revenue from tourists coming to Scotland to fish is substantial and there is nothing to promote it . if there were more anglers the price might come down .. I am a member of the Perth and district A A great fishing for a reasonable price. have a look. lots of great fishing at a very reasonable price Cheers Iain. 🥃

[@user-cq3kc8ll2h]

Caught off course on 3/4 inch Waddington

[@IainSB]

😉