The river and loch water levels
held up remarkably well this summer. In fact the
island (gravel bar) off of the Kenmore Bridge
was only rarely visible. River height was consistent.
Conditions have thus been excellent for running
fish.
There has been much talk of the grilse runs getting
back to reasonable levels now that the nets have
been bought off, but in reality we have yet to
see any significant impact. So far there has been
little to explain their non-appearance. Grilse
never make it as far as the feeding grounds of
the Labrador and Greenland coasts, but stop at
the Faroes, so from our coasts to the Faroes may
be where the problem lies. Scale reading on smolts
have shown a check mark shortly after entering
the sea. Are they short of food (over fishing
by the commercial fleet?) or is there a disease/parasite
problem (fish farms?).
Three grilse were taken for the month, two of
which were returned. A Mr Manfred had two
from the Point
weighing 4 1/2 lb and 6 1/2 lb. Les Petty
had a grilse of 4lb from the Chinese.
Les is getting a reputation as a light line specialist.
Earlier he had a salmon on ten pound test and
his grilse fell to a size 14 mallard and claret
on 3 pound test! Trout rods also reported hitting
into "huge trout" that broke them instantly. Perhaps
we are fishing with too large flies. The water
is lower and clearer, so a small fly will be highly
visible. Many salmon rods balk when the ghillie
suggests fishing a size 10 or 12 single, but it
works.
There have been moans and groans from the lower
beats, with sport being slow there as well. There
has been enough talk ... it is time to take action. |
