Flies for the Findhorn

[wilbert]

I have 2 days booked on the Forres Association water of the Findhorn next week (Mon and Wed) and would be grateful if anyone could give me any tips as to what are the best patters for this time of year. I am taking a 15' 12' and 10' rod to cover all conditions plus a whole selection of lines and poly leaders.

[williegunn]

Take a preist 97% of the fish are killed

Small flies Silver Stoat the dreaded Ali Shrimp and Cascade.

Fresh run grilse take anything so get the size right.

[sagecaster]

If the weather forcast is right you might be spated off at some stage.

Low water: Small flies, 12s 14s silver stoats, ally types etc Also try a very small , lightly dressed hitched tube, they are very successful further upstream where I fish.

Med/High water, biggish tubes 1"- 2" brightly dressed work for me. Try a sunk tip or intermediate too, quite often I find that if the grilse are taking short on a floater (which they often do after a spate) the sunk tip, or full sinker does the trick.

[hadrian]

williegunn said:

Take a preist 97% of the fish are killed.


last years official figures go like this-
1273 salmon,52%released.
1072 grilse,36%released.
the overall release rate was 44.5% this was down on 2004.
visiting anglers released 90% of fish caught on one particular beat.there were 457 visiting anglers.

hadrian.

[robmason]

Sparsely dressed mini-tubes in yellow used to work, when they where in fashion.

[williegunn]

hadrian said:

last years official figures go like this-
1273 salmon,52%released.
1072 grilse,36%released.
the overall release rate was 44.5% this was down on 2004.
visiting anglers released 90% of fish caught on one particular beat.there were 457 visiting anglers.

hadrian.

You are quoting the figures from the Findhorn as a whole; where I was discussing the Forres Angling Association water.

2005 figures are better than 2004 with a release rate of 24%

From their own web site.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Findhorn District Salmon Fishery Board held on the 4th December 2005, serious concerns were raised on the overall return rate of Salmon and Grilse (24%) by Forres Angling Association.

[rooster]

Hadrian is spot on,the figures are accurate and the particular beat he is refuting to is Forres,457 visiting anglers released 90%of their fish.there were twice as many visiting anglers v's club water anglers,even if all the club anglers killed all of their fish caught it would still be nowhere near 97%killed.

hold your hands up this time Willie,you are wrong.

[Tyne Angler]

IMPORTANT NOTICE

At the Annual General Meeting of the Findhorn District Salmon Fishery Board held on the 4th December 2005, serious concerns were raised on the overall return rate of Salmon and Grilse (24%) by Forres Angling Association.

At this meeting it was clearly stated to the President of our Association that a 50% return rate is required for 2006 or SEERAD would be engaged to impose a legal catch limitation for each angler.

Following the Committee meeting on 5th December 2005, it was agreed that a voluntary Salmon Conservation measure should be introduced in 2006. You are requested to:

1. Retain only one fish (Salmon or grilse) per calendar fishing day during season 2006.

2. Anglers may continue to fish after Item 1 above but should return all fish thereafter for that day.

The committee request is voluntary but failure to achieve a 50% overall return of Salmon/grilse in 2006 will result in the introduction of compulsory returns in 2007.

The President, Trustee Representative and Committee appeal to all members and visitor’s to honour this voluntary agreement.

[williegunn]

rooster said:

hold your hands up this time Willie,you are wrong.

I don't do wrong................

Can I see your figures before I attend the Findhorn AGM on Sunday

[hadrian]

hi w.g,here we go-
last years figures for the river as a whole have now been collated.the total for salmon and grilse was 2,345.this breaks down into 1,273 salmon(including 52%released)and 1,072 grilse(including 36% released)in terms of catches an average year.the overall release rate for all beats was 44.5%-down on 2004.the chairman of the board remarked that some anglers freezers were to big!
forres aa's annual returns are now to hand 184 salmon(36%released)438 grilse(including18%released)150 sea trout(48% released)the clubs overall release rate for salmon and grilse,(not taking into account sea trout)was 24%(visiting anglers released 90%of their catch.)there were 457 visitors in 2005.

jan 2006 t+s author andrew graham stewart.

not 97%
hadrian.

[williegunn]

If you read my posts I have accepted my 97% was 1 year out of date, but 82% of grilse killed is hardly conversationally minded, indeed the best figure of 64% is not really encouraging.

[hadrian]

hello w.g,i didnt realise you were quoting 04,i hadnt seen these figures anywhere,last years figures are bad enough but if 97%is the figure for 04 i cant understand the chairman of the boards comment on 05's releases when he says "this year some anglers freezers were to big."that to me would indicate a higher number of fish killed than in previous years.

lets hope the release rate improves this year.

hadrian.
p.s,have you put those carron lines in the post yet.

[JJ]

Just to add my 5p worth...

Try a Teal Blue and Silver or a silver-hooked blue and silver mini tube (low water tactic)

I am going to give it another go next month - keep us informed how you get on.

Not enough about the Findhorn on here - its a good river.

Incidentally, with all due regard to the politically correct brigade, should I worry about parking my car in laybys or parking areas frequented by the numerous Forres gypsys? They seem to make their home right next to many of the access points - am I right to be a little nervous?

[williegunn]

jjofspeyside said:

Incidentally, with all due regard to the politically correct brigade, should I worry about parking my car in laybys or parking areas frequented by the numerous Forres gypsys? They seem to make their home right next to many of the access points - am I right to be a little nervous?

The balliff reported that the travellers had travelled, he returned them the rods he was keeping to save temptation