Reports 2021
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WEEK 18
October 7th - October 15th
A mixed fishing and shooting party for the last week of the season. Plenty of water with the gauge approaching 5’. Fish taken from the lower river to the very top of the system, including a 13 lb. hooked in Sanderson’s and landed in Macleay’s.
30 Salmon/grilse and 3 Sea trout for the week.
Seasonal total: 336 Salmon/grilse, 88 Sea trout, 162 finnock, and 857 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (0), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (1), Captain’s (1), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (1), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (8), Ford Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (3),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (1), Loch Langabhat (10)WEEK 17
September 30th – October 6th
Good water, winds and persistence made for a productive week. Passing the 300 mark is satisfactory given the unhelpful conditions that have prevailed for most of the season.
Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge from 3’ 6 “ to 4’ 5” before settling at 3’ 11”.32 Salmon/grilse, 6 Sea trout, 1 finnock and 42 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 305 Salmon/grilse, 85 Sea trout, 162 finnock, and 857 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (1), Bridge (2), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (1), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (1), Fraser Bird’s (3), Pople’s (1), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (1), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (2), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), First Stream (2), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (3),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (1), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (1), Ford Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (3),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (4), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (2), Loch Langabhat (0)WEEK 16
September 22nd – September 30th
Rather an odd fishing week. Conditions were good but fish not in normal places and difficult to tempt. Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge 3’ 5 “ with low pressure, rains and gales forecast.
15 Salmon/grilse, 1 Sea trout, 2 finnock and 89 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 269 Salmon/grilse, 79 Sea trout, 161 finnock, and 830 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (1), Bridge (1), Major’s (1), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (1), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (1), Loch an Easa Ghil (1),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (4)WEEK 15
September 15th – September 23rd
Slowing down after the improved returns of last week. Water levels remain reasonable (Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge 3’ 2”) and conditions otherwise good, apart from gales on the Tuesday limiting boat fishing. The salmon and grilse in the Kelt and Bridge pools appear to have now moved on, with fish showing at the First Stream. Catches from Lochs Langabhat and Fhir Mhaoil suggest that salmon are now in the further reaches of the system.
21 Salmon/grilse, 2 Sea trout, 3 finnock and and 72 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 254 Salmon/grilse, 78 Sea trout, 159 finnock, and 743 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (2), Bridge (1), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (2), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (1), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), First Stream (4), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (3), Ford Stream (1), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (4)WEEK 14
September 8th – September 16th
What a difference some rain makes, the Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge rising from 1’ 10” to 3’ 8” in 24 hours and fishing underway at last!
35 Salmon/grilse, 5 Sea trout, and 45 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 233 Salmon/grilse, 76 Sea trout, 156 finnock, and 671 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (10), Bridge (3), Major’s (1), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (1), Pople’s (2), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (2), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (3), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), First Stream (5), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (3),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson’s (1), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (3)
©Colin d MacleodWEEK 13
September 1st – September 9th
Good numbers of fish apparent on Loch Faoghail an Tuim (Loch One) and with a significant change in weather (and fishing) conditions there should be some good fishing to come, and hopefully a decent last month of the season. Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge falling 2” to 1’ 6”. It is raining heavily as we go to print!
5 Salmon/grilse and 36 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 198 Salmon/grilse, 71 Sea trout, 155 finnock, and 626 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (2), Bridge (2), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (1)
©Colin d MacleodWEEK 12
August 25th – September 2nd
Another difficult week. Conditions about as bad as they could be with hot sun, light or non-existant winds and extremely high pressure; the Wednesday reading of 1039 mb the highest August air pressure ever recorded in the UK.
Plenty of fish in the Kelt and Bridge pools and showing in reasonable numbers of Lochs Faoghail an Tuim (Loch One) and Chiorabhal (Loch Three).
Despite the prevailing conditions the August return of 63 salmon and grilse is actually above the five-year average.Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge down 3” to 1’ 8”.
12 Salmon/grilse, 1 Sea trout, 9 finnock and 27 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 193 Salmon/grilse, 71 Sea trout, 155 finnock, and 590 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (7), Bridge (4), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0)WEEK 11
August 19th – August 25th
Extremely high pressure (1035 mb), negligible wind and bright sun throughout the week made for challenging, if not impossible conditions. However, three rods managed their first Grimersta salmon and a first ever fish for one rod. Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge 1’ 11”.
9 Salmon/grilse, 7 Sea trout, 13 finnock and 41 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 181 Salmon/grilse, 71 Sea trout, 146 finnock, and 563 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (4), Bridge (2), Major’s (1), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (2), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0)
©Colin d Macleod -
WEEK 10
August 11th – August 19th
Generally good fishing conditions throughout the week; low pressure and winds predominantly SW to NW. Showers on most days and decent rain on the Saturday adding 2” to the system, the Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge at 2’ 2”. First ever salmon for two rods and a first Grimersta salmon for another.
19 Salmon/grilse, 1 Sea trout, 15 finnock and 24 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 172 Salmon/grilse, 59 Sea trout, 133 finnock, and 518 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (6), Bridge (3), Major’s (1), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (4), First Stream (3), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0)WEEK 9
August 4th – August 12th
A more productive week. The rise in water levels, (Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge up 2 ½” to 1’ 8 ½”) although not dramatic, did freshen the system. Winds variable and not particularly helpful. Good to have a number of grilse from the lochs, including Loch Chiorabhal (Loch Three).
Fresh fish are still arriving, those caught a mix of silver and slightly coloured. Wind and rain forecast for the coming week which is promising.
21 Salmon/grilse, 3 Sea trout, 31 finnock and 12 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 153 Salmon/grilse, 58 Sea trout, 118 finnock, and 494 brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (11), Bridge (2), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (3), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (4), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0)WEEK 8
July 29th – August 4th
Heavy rain at the beginning of the week lifted the system to 1’ 8 ½” and reduced water temperatures from 20 to a mere 16 degrees! Light winds throughout the week made for challenging conditions; one fish from Macleay’s but all others from the Kelt and Bridge Pools.
8 Salmon/grilse, 8 Sea trout and 21 Brown trout for the week.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (5), Bridge (2), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (0), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0)WEEK 7
July 22nd – 28th
A challenging week at Grimersta. Initially bright and clear skies and temperatures up to 25 degrees, with no wind. By the Tuesday temperatures had dropped by 12 degrees but water levels continued to fall to an alarming July level of 1’ 4” at the Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge. However, persistent rain overnight Tuesday and throughout Wednesday has seen a 2” rise in levels which will continue to slowly recover over the next few days. Plenty of fish in evidence, so grounds for optimism.
4 Salmon/grilse, 18 Sea trout and 85 Brown trout for the week.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (3), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (1), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0) -
WEEK 6
July 15th – 21st
Still no rain, water levels remain low but steady (Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge 1’ 5 ½”), only dropping ½”over the week. Very much a week of two halves with near gale force winds on Friday and Saturday, dropping to flat calms at the end of the week.
Once again the Kelt Pool the most productive, all 20 fish taken there were on a hitched fly. The last few days have seen fish numbers building in the Bridge Pool and are in evidence in Loch Faoghail an Tuim (Loch One); however, the upper beats have gone quiet, not even Macleay’s producing a fish. Still plenty of fish in the sea waiting to come in.
27 Salmon/grilse, 12 Sea trout and 52 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 120 Salmon/grilse, 29 Sea trout and 376 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (20), Bridge (1), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (5), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (0),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (1)WEEK 5
July 8th – 14th
A difficult week with continuing low water and light winds from the wrong direction, largely north and east. However, fish can still enter and run the system. There is a steady build of numbers in Loch Faoghail an Tuim (Loch One) and the Kelt Pool is full of salmon. We need rain!
(Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge 1’ 6”)20 Salmon/grilse, 8 Sea trout and 34 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 93 Salmon/grilse, 17 Sea trout and 324 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (13), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (3), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (2),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (2)WEEK 4
July 1st – 7th
Grimersta still managing to produce fish in decidedly adverse conditions. Water levels dropping slowly and feeble winds. However, a fun-filled and happy week including a first Salmon for one senior Rod. (Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge 1’ 7”)
24 Salmon/grilse, 6 Sea trout and 34 Brown trout for the week.
Season so far: 73 Salmon/grilse, 12 Sea trout and 291 Brown trout.
Fish from: Sea Pool (2), Kelt (6), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (1), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (2), First Stream (5), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (4),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (1), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (2)WEEK 3
June 24th – 30th
An encouraging week with fish running. However dwindling water levels
(Loch Faoghail Charrasan gauge 1’ 8”), and an unhelpful wind made for challenging fishing.22 Salmon/grilse, 4 Sea trout and 27 Brown trout for the week.
Fish from: Sea Pool (2), Kelt (3), Bridge (2), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0),
Loch Faoghail an Tuim (3), First Stream (5), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (2),
Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (3), Loch an Easa Ghil (0),
Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (2),
Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0) -
WEEK 2
June 17th – 24th
Another party of mostly Grimersta regulars who all managed to catch at least one fish during the week. Grilse quite well spread throughout the system, seen at the Ford Stream, and a couple taken at the Alligator.
Stornoway Angling Association (SAA) (who now have access to a Grimersta boat on Loch Langabhat) had two visits, landing four fish, including a 16 lb. hen, all returned.
Conditions were generally favourable although midge nets were deployed on the Saturday morning. Encouraging signs with more shoals appearing and good numbers in and around the Sea Pool at high tide. 13 Salmon/grilse, 3 Sea trout and 101 Brown trout for the week.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt (2), Bridge (1), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (0),Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0),Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (0), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0), Loch Faoghail an Tuim (3), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (1), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0),Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (2), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (0), Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (4)
WEEK 1
June 9th - 16th
An enjoyable first full week with a party of Grimersta regulars.
The weather was generally very favourable, winds occasionally a bit strong but mostly perfect and from the right quarter. Some fairly heavy rain over the course of the week brought the system up to a perfectly acceptable 1' 11” by Wednesday.
Fish were in evidence from day one but not in large numbers. While fish have been seen in the lower river they don't seem to be building up there yet. The fish that were caught were well spread out through the system, from the Kelt Pool to the Basin, mostly average sized grilse in pretty good condition.
It does seem that the grilse may be slightly later than last year - there have not yet been any fish recorded elsewhere in the Western Isles - but historically, if we can get in to double figures in Week One then that's a good start.
Shoals have been spotted off Barvas over the past week so things are looking promising. 10 salmon/grilse and 101 Brown trout for the week.
Fish from: Sea Pool (0), Kelt, (1), Bridge (0), Major’s (0), Birkie Hue (0), Burn Foot (0), Tot Hole (0), Captain’s (1), Long (0), Island (0), Fraser Bird’s (0), Pople’s (0), Lower Rocky (0), Colonel Bradford’s (0), Upper Rocky (0), Benjie (0), Lower Battery (0), Battery (1), Jubilee (0), New (0), Outlet (0), Loch Faoghail an Tuim (2), First Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Charrasan (0), Macleay’s Stream (4), Calder (0), Hopps, (0), Bend (0), Sanderson (0), Loch Faoghail Chiorabhal (0), Loch an Easa Ghil (0), Loch an Fhir Mhaoil (0), Ford Stream (0), Loch Faoghail Airigh na h-Airde (1), Langabhat Faoghail Mhor (0), < Langabhat Faoghail Bheag (0), Loch Langabhat (0)
PRE SEASON
Grimersta 2021 Pre-season Report
Despite a good effort from local anglers, Spring fish proved scarce and elusive this year.
What was of interest and slightly unusual was that several 'Rawners' were caught early on. These are the male equivalent of a Baggot – a fish that came in last season but didn't spawn. They look very much like a September fish in colour and shape.Water levels and conditions were good throughout March and April, but it wasn't until 28th April that the first fish was landed, a lovely 11 lb. fish from the Bridge Pool, caught by regular angler Howard Maciver on a Cascade variant.
Water levels began to drop from early May, with very little rain and a strong and unhelpful north-easterly wind. Malcolm Mackendrick managed to catch the first grilse on the 16th May, a 4lb. cock from the Bridge Pool. The ghillies also made contact with a few fish during the week of May 10th -15th, but failed to land any.
The same NE wind didn't make life easy for two Grimersta members during their visit from the 24th - 29th May but they did manage to make contact with a couple of fish and a splendid 12 lb.fish was landed from the Bridge Pool.
The weather warmed up for the next pair of guests but winds were sporadic and largely calm for the first half of the week. Conditions did improve as the week went on, and although the river was now getting pretty thin (1' 7” on the Loch Faoghail Charrason gauge) they did manage to interest a few fish on Loch Faoghail an Tuim (Loch One). Between them they caught a 5 lb. grilse, lost another and rose several more.
As we are about to start the season proper conditions are looking more hopeful. Although the river is still low (1'6”) winds remain in the south-west and pretty strong, there is some rain in the forecast and shoals are being spotted in the sea at Barvas.
Weekly reports are about to commence!
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Rebecca Hosfield pre-season visit
25th May 2021
Another fine Springer from the Bridge Pool 12lbs on a cascade.
28th April 2021
A first Fish of the season to Howard Maciver 11 lb cock fish from the Bridge Pool on a cascade
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Previous Season's Reports
