River Thurso Fishing

🗣 EXTRA EXTRA 🗣
We made front page news! 📰
You can see the write up for the opening of the River Thurso in the Caithness Courier & The John O’Groat Journal 🎣

🎥 Freddie Sutherland casting the first of many flies of the 2020 season 🎥

🎣 WE ARE OPEN 🎣
The 2020 season has now officially kicked off with the one and only Freddie Sutherland producing the first cast and the lovely Peter Duncan providing the opening toast on the Thurso River this morning! 🥃
Freddie & Peter have been coming to the river for a number of year’s now along with the rest of the Leach party and we love seeing them come back time and time again!
... The Thurso River team would like to wish them, as well as every other angler out there, tight lines for the 2020 season, fingers crossed 🤞🏼it’s a good one!🎣
HERE WE GO!
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2020 opening ceremony
Thursday, January 9, 2020
A reminder that the opening day of the season is nearly upon us.... The opening ceremony will start at approximately 10.00 am at the Ulbster Arms, with most arriving around 09.30 for a catch up, then the piper will lead us down to the comlifoot pool below the bridge in halkirk and our guest will make the first cast of the season. Anyone who would like to attend is more than welcome. #riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #atlanticsalmonfishing #flyfishing #atlanticsalmon #2020season #newseason @ Halkirk, Highland
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You know the start of the new season is nearly here when the river level gauge is returned to it usual spot.
Unseasonably mild in the run up to the opening day and with periods of heavy rain forecast the river levels should hild up well.
#riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #newfishingseason #atlanticsalmonfishing #2020flyfishing ... #countdown #flyfishing #newdecade @ Halkirk, Highland
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Just over a week to go before the hunt for 2020 silver begins, 👍🎣😀 #riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #newseason #atlanticsalmonfishing #flyfishing #flowcountry @ Halkirk, Highland

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas from the river thurso team.
#merrychristmas🎄 #seasonsgreetings #tistheseason #holidayseason

The river is looking stunning on a cold beautiful morning just before sunrise
#riverthursofishing #winter #frost #sunrise #ulbsterarmshotel #atlanticsalmonfishing @ Westerdale

Raising a Bacardi & Coke to James "Jimmy" Macdonald 🥃
Sadly on the 5th December 2019, we had to say goodbye to one of our respected and much loved ghillie's throughout the years, Jimmy Macdonald.
... Here's a little bit of history to James' life on the river 🎣
When James left his beloved Ben Line in the mid 1980's he was sought out to undertake some summer ghilleing for the River Thurso, much to his dismay! James had fished the river for trout for many, many years and therefore was very familiar with all of the beats. James (reluctantly) agreed to take up some ghillieing throughout the season and was an instant success with the visiting anglers! His knowledge of the river, coupled with his cheeky charm & wit saw him become one of the most popular ghillie's on the river throughout the years.
From around 1986 until 2008 Jimmy was looking after anglers for most of the summer months & during the time made such an impression on so many people, that many lasting friendships were born. Not least of these would be Barrie Hesp & Amos Smith who travelled from America on an annual basis and thought so highly of Jimmy that they had a pool on the river built & dedicated to him - This is now known as James Macdonald Pool on Lower Beat 9 - And don't worry, Jimmy returned the favour by coming into the Ulbster Arms Hotel the week before their arrival every year to request they have 80 Shilling Beer on tap for them 🍻
Not only was James very active on the ghilleing side of things, he was also front and center to help with other commitments & work on the river, and because of this became a huge part of the "Thurso Team". Around 2008, Jimmy decided to cut back on his ghillieing duties (He had his grandchildren taking all of his energy, running riot!) and would only look after the "chosen few". Among those were Barrie & Amos, Keith Gerry (Pictured), The Thomson Bros & Friends and not least the Snell family, with whom Jimmy had so many happy times on the river. 🐟
And with that, I think it is safe to say that Jimmy was a massive part of what the River Thurso is today and I'm sure many anglers will have plenty of stories of their own.
Jimmy, you have made such an impression on so many peoples lives throughout your years, be it your family, anglers, the team here at "River Thurso" and the staff within the Ulbster Arms, it's been a pleasure knowing you & I for one know I'm going to miss your cheeky one liners & stories from way back when!
Thank you,
The River Thurso Team Past & Present 💚
*I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Eddie McCarthy for the insight into James' ghillieing career in order to write this post*
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Beautiful crisp clear morning, -4 at 10.30am #riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #winter #frosty #cold #atlanticsalmonfishing #flyfishinglife #flowcountry

With Christmas less than 3 weeks away we are closer to the start of the new season than the end of the last, on 37 days to go before the 2020 hunt for silver begins on the banks of the Thurso 👍😍 @ Ulbster Arms Hotel

And so the fighting continues for the male salmon despite a lift in water levels over the weekend
#riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #riverbanknature #salmonlifecycle #endofthejourney #atlanticsalmon #flowcountry

No rest or peace for these cock salmon jostling for the prime spot, make for some spectacular surface action, Would be nice to see them chase a fly like that 😀 #riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #riverbanknature #salmonlifecycle

Some more activity on the redds onnyhe banks of the Thurso.
The numbers of salmon on the redds has increased dramatically over the last week. An awesome sight👀🐟 #riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #riverbanknature #salmonlifecycle #atlanticsalmon #natureatitsbest #anglingscotland #foundationsofthefuture #salmonspawning

High river levels have made visually seeing fish on the redds a little tough this week, thankfully the water levels have begun to drop back.
Now we get a chance to see these fish complete the life cycle and lay the foundations for the next generation of salmo salar.
#riverthursofishing #atlanticsalmon #spawningsalmon #salmonredd #lifecycle #wildsalmomfirst #feelslikewinter

Manly staff at the Ulbster Arms Hotel?! NO WAY! 🤫
Well think again, because the men at the Ulbster Arms Hotel will be getting their legs, back or chest waxed all in the aid of charity! 🥰
Many of you who like this page will often join us at the hotel whether it’s to stay the week or just for a wee visit for a drink, so I’m sure there will be a few familiar faces on screen as our camera crew on hand manage to capture the faces of utter pain and terror 😇
... If you could spare a few pennies, please visit the link below to donate to the fantastic cause of the Caithness Mental Health Support Group - Mental health can target anyone, whether you’re young, old, rich or poor and that’s why Terri has decided to raise money for such a great cause!❤️
Any donation is appreciated.
Love,
The River Thurso & Ulbster Team ❤️
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The days are getting shorter and the nights colder, The river looking stunning in the late autumn sunset
#riverthursofishing #ulbsterarmshotel #sunset #autumnsunset @ Halkirk, Highland

Remembering some of those magical rod bending moments from 2019 #riverthursofishing #fishon #rodbending #fishing #flyfishing #catchandrelease #fishingmemories @ Halkirk, Highland