"The Official source of information on The Thurso"

Background Information | The Fishing | Other Conditions | Contacts | Pricing

Background Information

The Thurso is among the best salmon rivers in the north and is often coupled with the Helmsdale and Naver. It enjoys a long productive season, from 11th January to 5th October, and fish can be caught during every month. Currently the river fishes best from March to October with the larger catches occurring from July to the end of the season.

On average the river produces around 1,100 salmon per year and fishing is by fly only with no obligation to return fish. In recent years the catch has been rising and, as can be seen from the chart overleaf, numbers of early running fish are increasing. This is of interest in that, historically, the Thurso offered some of the earliest and best spring fishing in Scotland.

Some heavy fish have been caught on the Thurso, with fish of 47 lbs, 44 lbs and 36 lbs being taken during the 1920s. Nowadays, the vast majority of spring fish exceed 10 lbs and in 2008, fish of 25lbs were taken.

From mid-March to the end of May the Upper Beats tend to be most productive. The grilse can provide tremendous sport from July onwards and sea liced summer salmon enter the river, given the right water conditions, right through to the end of the season

The Fishing

Two rods fish on each stretch moving downstream by two beats each day allowing both Upper and Lower water to be fished in one week. The beats provide a wonderful variety of fishing and whilst many parts of the river have a fine running character, some beats, particularly 3, 6, 7 and 12, are long and deep. These pools are invaluable for the conservation of fish stocks in hot, dry weather conditions and with a good wind to ruffle the water, they can be very productive.

The beats vary in length from just under one mile to three and a quarter miles, each having a variety of pools   For more detailed information on the beats, you can click here.

Other Conditions

* Fishing is by fair fly only and fishing with bait, prawn, worm, spinner, spoon or any other lure is expressly forbidden. Fishing is from both banks and breast waders are not necessary.
 
* It is a prerequisite of fishing on the River Thurso that anglers sign and deliver the GYRODACTYLUS SALARIS DECLARATION FORMS (supplied via post) to the river superintendent upon arrival of their first day at the river and before they commence fishing.  Anglers who have not signed and delivered the declaration, will not be permitted to fish.
* Salmon Conservation – anglers are reminded that under the Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Act 2001, it is illegal to sell salmon and sea trout caught by rod and line.
 
* Trout fishing – complimentary trout fishing is available to salmon anglers during poor ‘in river’ conditions, subject to availability and upon payment of a fee for the use of the boat.
 
*

Ghillies – if the service of a ghillie is required, there is a charge of £60/day and this can be organised through:

The River Superintendent, Braal, Halkirk, Caithness, KW12 6XE Te. No. 01847 831591

Useful Contacts

Letting Agent

Contact Keith or Karen: 01847 831 641 info@ulbsterarmshotel.co.uk

River Superintendent

Eddie McCarthy
Braal Road
Halkirk
Caithness
KW12 6XE
Tel: 01847 831 591
Email: eddiemccarthy@supanet.com
Or Ask Eddie!

Pricing

Fishing Rents - 2009 Season
Rent / Rod / Week ex VAT
Season - 11 January to 5 October

Week No. Start Date End Date Price
1b 14 Jan 19 Jan PoA
2 21 Jan 26 Jan PoA
3 28 Jan 2 Feb PoA
4 4 Feb 9 Feb PoA
5 11 Feb 16 Feb PoA
6 18 Feb 23 Feb PoA
7 25 Feb 1 Mar PoA
8 3 Mar 8 Mar PoA
9 10 Mar 15 Mar PoA
10 17 Mar 22 Mar £600
11 24 Mar 29 Mar £600
12 31 Mar 5 Apr £600
13 7 Apr 12 Apr £600
14 13 Apr 19 Apr £600
15 21 Apr 26 Apr £600
16 28 Apr 3 May £600
17 5 May 10 May £600
18 12 May 17 May £600
19 19 May 24 May £600
20 26 May 31 May £600
21 2 June 7 June £600
22 9 June 14 June £600
23 16 June 21 June £600
24 23 June 28 June £600
25 30 Jun 5 Jul £600
26 7 Jul 12 Jul £600
27 14 Jul 19 Jul £600
28 21 Jul 26 Jul £600
29 28 Jul 2 Aug £700
30 4 Aug 9 Aug £700
31 11 Aug 16 Aug £700
32 18 Aug 23 Aug £700
33 25 Aug 30 Aug £750
34 1 Sep 6 Sep £750
35 8 Sep 13 Sep £750
36 15 Sep 20 Sep £750
37 22 Sep 27 Sep £750
38 29 Sep 4 Oct £750

Cost and availability for Weeks 1 – 10 upon application to Eddie McCarthy.

Please note that in 2009, the Ulbster Arms Hotel have made special package arrangements with Thurso River Ltd, which effectively results in anglers receiving a significant discount from the cost of their fishing, if they stay at the Ulbster Arms. The attached form details packages which are being made available at the Hotel, along with the fishing for 2010 and the special package discount amounts to £150 (plus VAT) per rod, per week between weeks 11 to 28 and £200 (plus VAT) per rod, per week, from weeks 29 to 38.