Toasting the new season
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THE skirl of pipes that greeted dawn's rise over the River Thurso was just one of the many events laid on to mark the start of the salmon fishing season across the north.
Alastair Miller struck up the notes on Friday as he led the march of 20 anglers towards a section of the river that runs through Halkirk.
Meanwhile, similar events were held at the River Naver at Bettythill and at Helmsdale.
In Halkirk, on the banks of the River Thurso, Yorkshire-based angler Angus Oughtred cast the first line as the anglers reached the bank.
Unfortunately no fish took the bait but word has it Angus will be back.
Senior ghillie Geordie Doull toasted the river by casting a dram into it.
River Thurso superintendent Tim Hawes said this season has already proved to be popular – even though it's just begun.
"The bookings are good for this year. There are a few rods available but not at peak times," he said.
"For those wanting to take up the remaining rods, they can contact the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Halkirk.
"We had 20 in for the opening day and Angus, who comes up every year from Yorkshire, was invited to make the first cast.
"He didn't land a catch but we've not had one [a first-day catch] since 1973. In January, catches are the exception rather than the rule.
"Expect the fish to start biting around mid to late February with a peak for the spring salmon [those that have spent more than one year at sea] to be in May.
"The peak period for the smaller salmon [fish that have spent only one year at sea] will be around June and July.
"The first half of the season has on average around 12 anglers a day at the river. That average will double from mid-June onwards.
"We do get some good catches – we've had some fish weighing in at 30lb in recent times, but more often than not the heaviest we usually get is around the mid-20s."
The salmon fishing season on the Thurso is a tradition that has proved to be popular over the centuries – as illustrated in last year's critically acclaimed book A History of Salmon Fishing on the River Thurso by Martin Dutchman-Smith.
Described in a Caithness Courier review as "a well-crafted mix of historical fact, personal experience and shared anecdotes", the book traces the history of salmon fishing on the river from 1700 to the present day.
At Bettyhill, river board staff and Bettyhill Angling Club members gathered on the banks of the Naver on Saturday to declare the river open for the 2019 season.
The brief ceremony, in very cold and blustery conditions, took place at Allie's Pool, the most prolific section of the river allotted to the club. Last year, with its extraordinary drought, was considered a very poor year on the river in general.
However, when the rain returned in September, it picked up a bit on the angling club's water.
So, while they may have wished for a better day for the river opening, most of the members are hoping for a more equitable distribution of rainfall in the year to come.
Meanwhile, the usual good show of anglers gathered for the free fishing on the River Helmsdale on the Friday.
Unfortunately no fresh run fish were landed on the day or on the next.
Martin Grant, the keeper at Kildonan, launched the first cast while being piped in by April Sutherland, a member of the Sutherland Schools Pipe Band.
He later cast the traditional dram into the river, presented to him by Helmsdale River Board manager Michael Wigan.
The river was low running at around five inches and kelts were few and far between. Temperatures were also unseasonably high.
A great day was had by all and business was brisk in the village in general. There, folk enjoyed the seafood platters on offer, as well as the delights of Ice and Fire Gin tasting at Glencoast.
* See this week's Caithness Courier for more pictures.
