A bit of history...
The Thurso is one the best salmon rivers in Scotland and. It enjoys a long productive season, from 11th January to 5th October. Fish can be caught during every month, but the main spring run will start in March and continue through to early June. Given the right water the fishing in May and June can be very productive. Our Grilse run usually starts in mid-May and runs through to end of August, with a peak in the middle of July, In September we see a smaller run of larger summer Salmon enter the river.
On average the river produces around 1700 salmon per year and fishing is by fly only. Since the cessation of the netting in 2005 the catch has been rising and in the last few years we seen record catches made.
The Thurso like other rivers is fed from a loch, but unlike many of these rivers we can control the water flowing out of the loch and in this way we are able to maintain the level of the river at a good fishing height for about three weeks, once the loch is full.
Since 2012 we have limited the number of spring rods fishing the river and up to the middle of June with a maximum of 18 rods let, this gives visiting rods a chance to fish all of the river. From the middle of the June, 2 rods are allocated to each beat.
Typical day on the river
There are no start or finish times on the Thurso, this allows rods maximum flexibility each day. The way the river is fished varies slightly between Spring and Summer. During the spring each pair of rods is allocated a rotation that contains two beats and during the week they will fish all 12 beats of the river. Single rods will also be allocated a rotation of two beats, but they will usually be paired with another angler. During the summer two rods will be allocated to a single beat each day. Each day you will fish a different beat and you will drop down two beats each day (until you reach the bottom of the river!). Example if you fish beat 4 on Monday you would then fish beat 2 on Tuesday. After you have fished on our two lowest beats, 2 and 3 (we don't fish on beat 1), you then move to the top of the river. Beat 2 moves to beat 13 and beat 3 moves to beat 12.You beat allocation will be confirmed with you when you make your booking. If you have booked a ghillie they will meet you at the ghillies room at the back of the Hotel at about 8:30am and there you will plan the day and get equipment ready etc. and then leave around 9.00am. Most beats have a hut where lunch can be taken. Ghillies finish at 5:00pm and normally require transport back to the hotel.
Our Beats
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Download Beat Map
Trout Fishing
There are numerous opportunities for trout fishing in Caithness and we can provide information on the following lochs. Watten, St Johns, Heilen, Toffinghall, Calder, Syre and a number of local hill lochs. The bigger lochs are better fished from a boat and we can provide details of boat hire etc.
Meet Our Team

Geordie Doull
Senior GhillieGeordie joined the River Thurso team in 2008. He has fished the rivers and lochs of Caithness for 30 years as well as many other rivers throughout Scotland. When not out on the River Thurso he can often be found out on loch Watten hunting for wild brown trout. He is also an avid fly tier producing mouth watering flies for his guests. Geordie's experience of both salmon and trout fishing in Caithness makes him a valuable asset to the team.

Geoff Henstridge
Ghillie

Dougie Reid
GhillieDougie is the longest-serving member of our team with over 50 years of experience working on the Thurso. Dougie started his lifelong career as a bailiff then spent many years running the salmon cobble before it ceased operating in 2006. During these years Dougie also spent many weeks ghilling for guests who have become lifelong friends and when he is not out with guests he can still be found on the banks of the Thurso fishing.

Eddie Bremner
Ghillie

James Barlow
GhillleJames has been a passionate fisherman since childhood mainly on the Scottish west coast and Hebrides. He began ghilling on Morsgail Estate on Lewis in 1996 and has since worked at Amhuinnsuide Castle on Harris and Tulchan Estate on the River Spey. When James is not ghilling he spends his spare time building custom fly rods. His varied ghilling experience around Scotland is a valuable asset to the River Thurso Team

Mike Macdonald
GhillieMike started as a young ghillie on the Thurso in his teens before working in the oil industry. Despite spending more time away from home during these years Mike still had a close bond to the Thurso being born and raised in Halkirk and would still find the time to visit guests and help out on the river when at home. Mike called it a day working in the oil industry in 2020 and has returned to were it all began and is an experienced addition to the team.

Jim Cameron
Ghillie

John Wildgoose
Ghillie

Tim Hawes
Ghillie