We started the new week with plenty of hope and optimism. A lift in levels on Sunday left the river running at 11 inches on Monday morning, with fourteen for the day and large numbers of fresh grilse seen running prospects looked good for the week ahead.

As we moved into Tuesday, the weather had other ideas. A switch to warmer southerly winds with air temperatures into the low 20s and long periods of clear blue skies along with light winds made tempting the fish increasingly difficult.

 Increased levels of humidity brought about some intense thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday afternoon, a small lift in river levels and a welcome clearing of the air helped bring the fish back on the take to a degree.

Craig Nimmo and David Wallace got the week up and running, both catching a sea-liced grilse from beat 9, Craig would catch a second from. Beat 8 on Tuesday. Billy Brundson and David Roberts both picked up a fish each on their second visit of the season. Mark Newton had two in three days, both on the hitch.

Richard Pulleyn enjoyed his first trip to the Thurso taking six to his own rod, including four in a morning from beat 3. Frans Lohmar and Karin Norman had two each. John and Jan Drummond had five between them for their week.

With so many fish in the river, it is only a matter of time before the weather becomes more favourable, and when it does there will be some big catches. 

Tight lines next week.