Yesterday, at dusk, a shoal of early running salmon entered the lower pools of Finavon and by last light there was at least one fresh spring salmon in each of the major pools. Salmon came to the fly on a number of occasions, but turned away before taking it. In spite of their reluctance to take the fly Moray Macfarlane, the FCW ghillie, had a nice one of 7 lbs from Tollmuir Pool (his first salmon from this pool) and Derek Strachan had a beautiful 15lbs fish from our most reliable spring pool, Tyndals.
Releasing a sealiced hen salmon
The river is holding its level well, and we expect it to continue like this for some time yet because of the deep snow in the high corries. Spring is arriving slowly but with measured steps. The wild garlic has turned the Finavon woods the brightest of greens and its pungent smell accompanies us as we stride through the woods to the next pool, where we fish carefully, always in expectation of the long, lazy pull of a springer.
Conditions are ideal and we expect more salmon this week. What can be said with some certainty is that the condition of the 2SW fish already caught this season indicates that they are in tip-top condition. It is a real puzzle as to why the summer grilse and 2SW salmon are so thin, but it does look as if the problem lies in the Norwegian Sea, which our earlier fish seem to avoid. I must avoid tempting fate, but I have to say that the season is developing nicely so far.