Reports 2022
WEEK 18 October 6th - October15th
Summary: The final (extended) week of the season, with two extra days taking us to the close on the 15th. High winds in the middle of the week and rain throughout, although the Loch Charrason gauge actually dropped away, finishing on 4’ 3”.
Fish coming from just about the entire system, although the bottom three pools failed to produce. The Langabhat rivers and outlet were in great order. A first ever salmon and the largest fish of the season (15 lbs.) to one guest.
This season gave us the third best June figures since 1900, and catches held up throughout, with the exception of two to three weeks in September when high pressure prevailed. The final total of 686 salmon/grilse is the best return for 36 years and gives some sense of optimism for the future. Roll on Season 2023!
This is an opportunity to say farewell to ghillie Matt Cooke who, after seven seasons at Grimersta, leaves us for a full-time job on the Tweed. Best wishes for the future Matt and a thank you for your huge contribution over the years.
Week: 80 Salmon/grilse, 6 Sea trout, 1 Sea trout, 3 Finnock and 3 Brown trout for the week.
Seasonal Total: 686 Salmon/grilse, 99 Sea trout, 356 Finnock, and 828 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (0), Bridge (0), Major’s (1), Birkie Hue (1), Burn Foot (5), Tot Hole (2), Captain’s (1), Long (0), Island (2), Fraser Bird’s (2), Pople’s (5), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (2), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (2), Lower Battery (2), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (1),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (2), Tail of The First Stream (1), First Stream (7), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (4), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (2), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (11), Ford Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (4),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (6), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (1), Loch Langabhat Outlet (4)
Loch Langabhat (14)
WEEK 17 September 29th - October 5th
Summary: After the long wait for wind and rain it arrived in some style. Torrential rain (32mm) and Storm Force 10+ wind on the Friday morning stirred things up. The best fish of the week a 12 lb. from the top of the First Stream. With the Charrasan guage at 5’ some pools on the river are difficult to cover but will come on as levels drop. Should be an exciting last week of the season.
Week: 44 Salmon/grilse, 13 Sea trout, 1 Sea trout, 4 Finnock and 41 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 606 Salmon/grilse, 93 Sea trout, 353 Finnock, and 826 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (0), Bridge (1), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (2), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (1), Captain’s (0), Long (2), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (3), Pople’s (1), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (1), Battery (0), Jubilee (1), New (0), Outlet (1),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (1), First Stream (9), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (4), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (1), Ford Stream (6), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (2),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (5), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (2), Loch Langabhat Outlet (1)
Loch Langabhat (0)
WEEK 16 - September 22nd - September 28th
Summary: Rain and wind at last and an immediate improvement in returns. Fish seen everywhere although reluctant to take on the lochs.
Week: 27 Salmon/grilse, 2 Sea trout, 1 Sea trout, 12 Finnock and 57 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 561 Salmon/grilse, 80 Sea trout, 349 Finnock, and 785 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (2), Bridge (1), Major’s (1), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (1), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (1), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (1), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (1), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (2), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (2), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (3), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (4), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (5)
WEEK 15 - September 15th - September 21st
Summary: With water levels dropping to 1’ 8” (a low even for June), a very difficult week. Fish are showing sporadically on the lochs, and much anticipated rain has arrived so fishing prospects should improve.
Week: 8 Salmon/grilse, 5 Sea trout, 1 Sea trout, 11 Finnock and 72 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 530 Salmon/grilse, 78 Sea trout, 337 Finnock, and 728 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (1), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), Tail of The First Stream (0), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (6)
WEEK 14 - September 8th - September 14th
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II 1926 - 2022 |
Summary: The difficult, if not quite impossible conditions continue. No discernible rain, the Loch Charrasan gauge at 1’ 10”. A gale and heavy rain needed to freshen the system.
Week: 3 Salmon/grilse, 5 Sea trout, 7 Finnock and 26 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 522 Salmon/grilse, 77 Sea trout, 326 Finnock, and 656 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (0), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (1), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (1), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (0)
GOD SAVE THE KING |
WEEK 13 - September 1st - September 7th
Summary: A tough week although fish are showing throughout the system.
Week: 3 Salmon/grilse, 3 Sea trout, 4 Finnock and 20 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 519 Salmon/grilse, 74 Sea trout, 319 Finnock, and 633 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (1), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (0), First Stream (1), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (0)
WEEK 12 - August 25th - August 31st
Summary: A reasonable start to the week, but as water levels dropped, winds swung to the east, and the pressure rose, fishing became more challenging. The latter part of the week saw bright sun and cloudless skies and unfavourable (if any) winds. After such good conditions for much of the season this was particularly unwelcome, but it was inevitable that we would have a spell like this at some point.
Rods persevered regardless and three had their first Grimersta salmon. We now need a change in the weather.
Week: 8 Salmon/grilse, 7 Sea trout, 12 Finnock and 41 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 516 Salmon/grilse, 71 Sea trout, 315 Finnock, and 613 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (0), Bridge (1), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (1), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (1), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (0), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (1), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (1), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (0)
WEEK 11 August 18th - August 24th
Summary: Some rain in the early part of the week kept things topped up, the Loch Faughail Charrason gauge currently 2’ 11”. Winds generally favourable but fish were tough to tempt. As so often this season salmon not showing much, except at time on Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal but they remain well spread throughout the system. Three younger members of the party all had their first salmon.
A gale and downpour needed to stir things up but we have passed the 500 salmon/grilse for the season mark, and with seven weeks of the season remaining.
Week: 22 Salmon/grilse, 14 Sea trout, 21 Finnock and 91 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 508 Salmon/grilse, 64 Sea trout, 303 Finnock, and 572 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (0), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (1), Long (1), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (1), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), Tail of The First Stream (1), First Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (6),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (1), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (6)
WEEK 10 - August 11th - 17th
Summary: Changeable weather conditions and air colder than the water. Winds predominantly from an easterly/north-easterly directions and the gauge slowly dropping to 2’ 8”.
The Grimersta River, Macleay’s and Sanderson’s fishing well. Salmon and grilse well spread throughout the “system” and plenty of fish in evidence on Lochs One and Three, albeit not really taking. Two rods had their first salmon.
Week: 33 Salmon/grilse, 17 Finnock and 51 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 487 Salmon/grilse, 50 Sea trout, 282 Finnock, and 481 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (1), Kelt (2), Bridge (1), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (4), Captain’s (0), Long (1), Island (2), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (1), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (3), Lower Battery (1), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), Tail of The First Stream (0), First Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (3), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (4), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (1), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (5)
WEEK 9 - August 4th - August 10th
Summary: Favourable conditions prevailed throughout the week. Heavy rains, particularly on the Saturday and Monday brought the system up to 3’ 8”, unusually high for early August. All pools fishing nicely again although there appear to be fewer fish showing in the lower river. Much more action on Lochs Faoghail an Tuim (Loch One) and Chiorabhal (Loch Three), and also in the Basin, and several fish lost. A fine 10 lb. fish from the Bridge Pool for one Rod and a first ever salmon for another Rod.
Week: 39 Salmon/grilse, 7 Sea trout, 23 Finnock and 32 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 454 Salmon/grilse, 50 Sea trout, 265 Finnock, and 430 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (0), Bridge (11), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (1), Captain’s (1), Long (2), Island (2), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (1), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (1), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (3), Tail of The First Stream (5), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (3), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (2), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (1)
WEEK 8 - July 28th - August 3rd
Summary: No drought here, the Loch Charrasan gauge rising from 2’1 to 2’ 11 during the week after heavy rain on the Tuesday and Saturday. Winds mostly favourable. Fish not really settling in the lochs, and so most fish coming from the river and streams. However, fish remain in excellent condition and plenty of grilse still running with sea-liced fish from the lower pools.
Week: 39 Salmon/grilse, 5 Sea trout, 30 Finnock and 9 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 415 Salmon/grilse, 43 Sea trout, 242 Finnock, and 398 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (2), Kelt (9), Bridge (7), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (3), Island (3), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (2), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (1), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), Tail of The First Stream (1), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (2), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (2), Ford Stream (1), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (5)
WEEK 7 - July 21st - July 27th
Summary: With a drop of 7” on the Loch Charrasan gauge (now 2’ 2”), air and water temperatures the wrong way round, and little wind, it was a tough first half of the week with only 2 fish caught. Rain on the Sunday freshened the system and 17 fish were caught in the second half-week.
Week: 19 Salmon/grilse, 12 Sea trout, 18 Finnock and 40 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 376 Salmon/grilse, 39 Sea trout, 212 Finnock, and 389 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (5), Kelt (2), Bridge (4), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (1), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (2), Tail of The First Stream (0), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (1), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (1), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (2)
WEEK 6 July 14th - July 20th
Summary: A more challenging week. Waters levels dropped (Gauge 2’ 6” – 2’) and winds eased. Nevertheless, a reasonable return and all grilse looking fat and healthy.
Week: 47 Salmon/grilse, 7 Sea trout, 20 Finnock and 62 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 357 Salmon/grilse, 27 Sea trout, 194 Finnock, and 349 Brown trout. 94% catch and release for the season.
Fish from: Sea Pool (1), Kelt (5), Bridge (4), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (1), Captain’s (1), Long (1), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (1), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (1), Benjie’s (1), Lower Battery (1), Battery (1), Jubilee (1), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (4), Tail of The First Stream (0), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (2), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (2), Loch an Easa Ghil (2), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (3), Ford Stream (1), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (10)
WEEK 5 July 7th - July 13th
Summary: Another great week but less hectic than previous. Fish coming in on every tide but lower numbers and spreading out so some better loch fishing developing, particularly on Lochs One and Three. Low rainfall so gauge has fallen from just under 3’ to 2’ 7” – still a very nice summer height. Pressure was extremely high for much of the week which probably didn’t help the fishing, exceptionally high winds prevailed in the latter half of week.
It is such a pleasure to see whole place working well with an initial excellent run of fish. The best June since 1973, and passing the 300 mark by mid-July - what does the rest of season hold? Grimersta is a happy place!
Week: 50 Salmon/grilse, 2 Sea trout, 24 Finnock and 16 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 310 Salmon/grilse, 20 Sea trout, 198 Finnock, and 297 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (6), Kelt (3), Bridge (8), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (1), Burn Foot (1), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (1), Long (2), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (1), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (3), Lower Battery (0), Battery (1), Jubilee (1), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (8), Tail of The First Stream (3), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (2), Loch an Easa Ghil (2), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (3), Ford Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (3)
WEEK 4 - June 30th - July 6th
Summary: This last week has been the Grimersta of dreams, with water and conditions generally ideal. Fish have been entering the system throughout – and the fish in fine condition. They haven’t shown much but they are widespread and clearly have made it to Loch Langabhat.
A very happy week which all lucky enough to be part of won’t forget.
Week: 67 Salmon/grilse, 7 Sea trout, 23 Finnock and 21 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 260 Salmon/grilse, 20 Sea trout, 174 Finnock, and 281 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (14), Kelt (4), Bridge (18), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (2), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie’s (3), Lower Battery (0), Battery (2), Jubilee (1), New (0), Outlet (1),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (4), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (3), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (3), Loch an Easa Ghil (2), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (1), Ford Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (5)
WEEK 3 June 23rd - 29th
Not quite as good conditions as the previous week but enough rain to keep the system at a very satisfactory height, and mostly reasonable winds. Fish continue to run in good numbers, some still running through to Loch Langabhat but hopefully a few now stopping off in the lochs.
The first fish of the season from Loch an Easa Ghil (Stewart’s Loch) on the Monday. Most fish are still coming from the river and streams, the river very much coming “on” for periods of time, often late in the evening and early mornings.
Another very good tally for the week, with all rods scoring and a number of Grimersta “firsts”
It is worth noting that this year’s June total of 197salmon and grilse is the best return since 1973, and the third best since records began in 1900!
Jason Laing
Week: 73 Salmon/grilse, 4 Sea trout, 47 Finnock and 76 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 193 Salmon/grilse, 13 Sea trout, 151 Finnock, and 260 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (5), Kelt (5), Bridge (27), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (2), Captain’s (2),
Long (2), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (2), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (3), Upper Rocky (3), Benjie’s (0), Lower Battery (1), Battery (0), Jubilee (1), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (0), First Stream (7), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (2), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (2), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat Outlet (0)
Loch Langabhat (8)
WEEK 2 June 16th - 22nd
Another fantastic week. Weather was again favourable, a couple of days of gales and one day of very light winds but always from the right quarter. The heavy rain on Friday lifted the system up to 3’ 10” at its highest but has gradually dropped back during the second half of the week.
The fish still aren’t showing much given the catches but clearly a lot running. No great surprise that there have been a lot of fish reported from around Loch Langabhat over the past week but hopefully the dropping water will slow them down. Fish have been in great condition and generally bigger this week too – with one fish of 12 lb. and one of an estimated 14 lb. from Little Langabhat among them.
I can’t recall a better week for this stage in the season, every beat has been producing and most pools on the river too. After the best May for many years, we are now heading for a pretty spectacular June as well!
Jason Laing
Week: 70 Salmon/grilse, 2 Sea trout, 27 Finnock and 77 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 120 Salmon/grilse, 9 Sea trout, 104 Finnock, and 184 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (11), Kelt (3), Bridge (8), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (3), Captain’s (0),
Long (4), Island (1), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (2), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0),
Benjie’s (7), Lower Battery (1), Battery (0), Jubilee (2), New (0), Outlet (3), Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1),
Tail of The First Stream (2), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (2), Calder (0), Hopps, (0),
Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (3), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (6), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (1), Loch Langabhat Outlet (3)
Loch Langabhat (5)
WEEK 1 JUNE 9th - 15th
An exceptionally good first week. The gauge sat at 2’ 2” at the start but persistent strong winds and heavy rain saw the system rise to 2’ 10” by Wednesday. Fish have been seen entering the Sea Pool and are occasionally showing in the sea. Strangely, not showing so much in the system, although clearly there in reasonable numbers – so catching more than we’re seeing at the moment!
The fish have been well spread throughout the system, with fish caught from the Sea Pool to Loch Airigh na h-Airde (Loch Four). Not too many from the lochs yet but that’s to be expected at this time of year. Quite a lot of the fish have been on the small side but in excellent condition.
The final tally of 30 salmon and grilse is as good a total as I can remember for this particular week. This, following on from the best May returns since 1986 gives us great hope for the rest of the season.
Jason Laing
Week: 30 Salmon/grilse, 2 Sea trout, 47 Finnock and 81 Brown trout for the week. Season so far: 50 Salmon/grilse, 7 Sea trout, 77 Finnock, and 107 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (2), Kelt (0), Bridge (6), Major’s (1), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0),
Long (4), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0),
Benjie’s (1), Lower Battery (1), Battery (0), Jubilee (1), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), Tail of The First Stream (1), First Stream (4), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0),
Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (2), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (3),
Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0)
PRE SEASON REPORT 2022
In sharp contrast with 2021 we have had an early season with plenty of rain and good strong winds from the west and south-west this year. The river has been at almost late autumn levels for much of May, from 2’ 3” at the start of the month up to 4’ by the end with 147.4 mm. of rain for May alone. The good water contributed to very high demand for the early season fishing.
The first fish of the season was caught by Colin Macleod on 4th May from the Sea Pool, a cracking fish estimated at 14 lb. on a Stoats Tail. Other fish followed throughout the month, mostly Spring salmon in exceptionally good condition, with two other double figure fish (11½ lb. and 12 lb.).
Most fish were caught in the lower river, but one was caught from the Ford Stream and several others were lost from the First Stream and the Upper River. Grilse starting to appear towards the end of the month and have been of average size but in excellent condition. We finished the month with 11 fish, which is the best May since 1986 (when 15 were caught). Before that the best May was 1973!
High pressure, warm weather and east winds have prevailed since the start of June and the system has slowly dropped down to 2’ 3” (as of the 8th June) but fish are running and getting caught. I often say that my ideal summer height is between 2’ 4” and 2’ 6” so we’re not far off that. We are currently on 9 fish for June which we’d be happy with by this point in any year.
So far this season fish have been caught from the Grimersta River (13); First Stream (3) (including one from the boat); Macleay’s (1); and the Ford Stream (3).
The forecast suggests a change of weather later this week with winds moving back round to the south-west and some rain which will help freshen things up.
We are now awaiting the arrival of the first full fishing party and looking forward to getting going!
Jason Laing
8th June 2022
