Catches from the Kyle of Sutherland last year
The district fishery board have released the combined catch figures from the Kyle catchment and they certainly seem to buck the trend for the rest of the country.
The Carron had a slow start because of the beast from the East but soon caught up with a very respectable figure of around 218 to the end of April compared to 78 caught on the neighboring Oykel. We don’t have a total figure yet for the Carron but the catchment, which includes the Oykel, Cassley, Shin Evelix and the fishing in the Kyle was 2914 salmon and grilse. This compares with 2506 in 2017. The average from 1952 to 2017 is 2700. It was also the first time in 20 years that the catchment caught over 1000 fish for September with 1192 in the book. Yes, the summer was awful, and the spring and September saved us, but the fish must have been there.
Finlay and Jim Gilmore only managed a day counting redds at Deanichbut what they found was very encouraging. They saw more fish and activity of spawning than had been seen since at least 2013 possibly the very good year of 2010. Alladale estate don’t normally fish but as conditions were right in September and an experienced guest was there they had a go and caught over 20 one week. All were returned unharmed.
—
Finlay McCulloch
Braelangwell estate
Ardgay
