The week started with the river running at 9 inches. Heavy downpours on Sunday evening produced a small rise from the main river tributaries, particularly Little river and Achnaclachan burns, further periods of rain helped maintain favourable levels through to Saturday By early Monday it became apparent fish were taking advantage of this lift in levels with fish seen running as far up as beat 9. 

Mark Parramore used his extensive knowledge of the river to land the first springer of the week, a 10lb fish from beat 9.  Tuesday was the most productive day with five landed. Beat 9 was once again on top form. Martin Thompson with one at 10lb from the Rock pool. A short time later Christopher Oughtred had one of 11lb from Ronnie Grahams and Mark Newton had one from the Rock pool in the evening, what was interesting about Mark's 7lb fish was it has been in the river for quite a few months.  Norman Taylor had one from beat 5 weighing 12lb and Francis Milner with one from beat 4.

Mark Newton picked up a second from beat 7, Steve Burley landed a sea-liced fish of 10lb from beat 3 and on Thursday Stefan Bengtsson landed his first Thurso salmon, a stunning 13lb springer from beat 8. Finally, John Drummond's hard work paid off late in the on Saturday day with a stunning fresh fish from beat 4 tipping the scales at 17lb.

Air and water temperatures seen a sharp increase from Thursday onwards and this had a knock-on effect with the salmon becoming difficult to tempt, particularly fish that have been in the river a few weeks or longer. Tactics will shift towards smaller flies and a stealthy approach as fish move into streamy water at the heads of pools. Fishing late and early may well prove beneficial as the days grow longer with the longest day of the year only four weeks away.

Tight lines next week.