The wait is finally over. On Tuesday morning Conrad Chilvers caught the first springer of the 2025 season. He landed a beautiful 10-pounder from the Weedy pool on beat 13. Interestingly, he hooked and lost a larger fish only 20 minutes earlier.

Conrad's name will now be added to the honours board in the Ulbster Arms Hotel. He is no stranger to catching early fish on the Thurso having made the trip north for over 50 years. However, this is this marks his first time landing the first salmon of the season, congratulations from the River Thurso team.

Out and about on the river this week there have been a few other close calls with fish and even the occasional kelt caught. The ospreys have returned right on cue, thousands of geese have been seen on their northern migration, skylarks are singing overhead and the wonderful sound of the curlew becomes more prominent with each passing day, spring has finally arrived on the Thurso.

At the time of writing this report heavy rain overnight has seen the river rise to 24 inches and loch More rising rapidly. 

Tight lines next week.