RIVER THURSO, CAITHNESS FISHING CONDITIONS & CONTACTS –2013 THE FISHINGS There are twelve beats, with two rods on each, 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 much of the river has a fine running character, some beats, particularly lower 3, as well as sections of 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. (see www.thursoriver.co.uk for detailed descriptions.) ROD CATCHES FOR BEATS 2 – 13 (SEASON 11 JANUARY – 5 OCTOBER) Beat 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 5 yr av Jan 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 Feb 2 4 5 11 4 3 2 8 10 3 5 Mar 11 25 24 34 9 36 30 39 30 14 29 Apr 29 71 67 104 19 68 35 108 47 62 64 May 125 71 135 112 33 77 109 186 246 115 146 June 27 97 103 63 108 166 84 202 217 316 197 July 12 200 134 36 327 108 303 324 190 557 296 Aug 2 215 61 518 565 104 397 1,026 761 535 564 Sept 22 328 204 307 369 308 508 986 642 559 600 Oct 19 64 82 118 93 119 118 143 66 108 110 Total 249 1,075 815 1,305 1,530 989 1,586 3,022 2,210 2,269 2,011 2 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 GYRODACTYLUS SALARIS DECLARATION FORMS to the River Superintendent upon arrival on 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. From 11th January until 15th June, all salmon and sea trout should be returned safely to the River. From 16th June until 5th October, anglers fishing for a week may retain up to two fish, provided they do not exceed 8lbs in weight or 70cm in length. Any fish incapable of being safely returned (ie bleeders) must be handed in to either the River Superintendent (Eddie McCarthy) or the Head Ghillie (Dougie Reid) on the day the fish is removed from the River. Treble hooks are not to be used at any time during the season and from 1st September until the end of the season (5th October) all hooks must be barbless. Trout fishing can be arranged through either Eddie McCarthy (The River Superintendent – phone: 01847 831591, or email: [email protected]) or Hugo Ross (phone: 01955 604200, or email: [email protected]), 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: Eddie McCarthy, The River Superintendent, Braal, Halkirk, Caithness, KW12 6XE, phone 01847 831591 or 0777 858 0382, email [email protected], or see the web site www.thursoriver.co.uk Accommodation - a package discount is available for guests who stay at the Ulbster Arms Hotel during their fishing holiday. The package discount equates, in some cases, to a price reduction of over £300 per rod per week, for those anglers who reserve a dinner, bed, breakfast and packed lunch package reservation for their weeks fishing. For further details on the Hotel and the package rates, please contact Debra on 01847 831641, email [email protected] or log on to the web site www.ulbsterarmshotel.co.uk FISHING RENTS – 2013 SEASON Rent/Rod/Week ( ex VAT), without accommodation at the Ulbster Arms Hotel Week 1 11 Jan to 12 Jan POA Week 20 20 May to 25 May £660 Week 2 14 Jan to 19 Jan POA Week 21 27 May to 1 Jun £660 Week 3 21 Jan to 26 Jan POA Week 22 3 Jun to 8 Jun £660 Week 4 28 Jan to 2 Feb POA Week 23 10 Jun to 15 Jun £660 Week 5 4 Feb to 9 Feb POA Week 24 17 Jun to 22 Jun £660 Week 6 11 Feb to 16 Feb POA Week 25 24 Jun to 29 Jun £660 Week 7 18 Feb to 23 Feb POA Week 26 1 Jul to 6 Jul £660 Week 8 25 Feb to 2 Mar POA Week 27 8 Jul to 13 Jul £820 Week 9 4 Mar to 9 Mar POA Week 28 15 Jul to 20 Jul £820 Week 10 11 Mar to 16 Mar POA Week 29 22 Jul to 27 Jul £820 Week 11 18 Mar to 23 Mar £495 Week 30 29 Jul to 3 Aug £820 Week 12 25 Mar to 30 Mar £495 Week 31 5 Aug to 10 Aug £820 Week 13 1 Apr to 6 Apr £495 Week 32 12 Aug to 17 Aug £820 Week 14 8 Apr to 13 Apr £660 Week 33 19 Aug to 24 Aug £820 Week 15 15 Apr to 20 Apr £660 Week 34 26 Aug to 31 Aug £820 Week 16 22 Apr to 27 Apr £660 Week 35 2 Sep to 7 Sep £820 Week 17 29 Apr to 4 May £660 Week 36 9 Sep to 14 Sep £820 Week 18 6 May to 11 May £660 Week 37 16 Sep to 21 Sep £820 Week 19 13 May to 18 May £660 Week 38 23 Sep to 28 Sep £820 Week 39 30 Sep to 5 Oct £820 Cost and availability for Weeks 1 – 10 – price on application to Eddie McCarthy. .