Although the river was very high on opening day (January 11th) by the end of the month, levels were perfect and the first fish was duly taken from beat four on February 2nd. Incredibly, the next five fish were taken from the same pool ( Hoy) on the same beat.
The month of March saw good numbers of fish being taken (most returned) and, in mid month, we saw several fish accessing the Loch via the Fish Ladder which effectively offered them sanctuary. Success continued through April and in to May. In fact it would be fair to say that success continued throughout the year. The grilse started to arrive in early June and continued through to the end of the season and, generally, were in very good condition. Each timeit appeared that a serious lack of water was imminent, we had some rainfall in enough areas to keep us going.
Another majestic smolt migration started in early April and quickly petered out, but was soon followed for most of May with immense numbers of smolts being seen.
A feature of the last few years has been another smolt migration beginning in late August and, this year, smolts were being caught on the last day--------along with silver, sea-liced salmon.
Although we do not operate a compulsory catch and release policy anglers have returned over 80% of the annual catch which is our best annual return since records started to be kept in 1896--------by over 1,000 fish!
There were no reports of any kind of pollution nor of any disease.
In the latter part of November the spawning fords were accessed for a morning and, on only three fords, a total of 150,000 eggs were taken back to the Hatchery.
The visited redds were on beat nine and one on lower beat ten.
Some of the unfed fry will be introduced to Achnaclachan Burn and to the Little River whilst most will be taken to the red Burn Area.
The Hatchery itself has been newly wired throughout and a new pump has been installed. Also introduced were sensors which detect very low temperatures and react so as to prevent any outside freezing of pipes.
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