The water levels have been up and down this month and the latter has caused an outbreak of Saprolegnia again. It began about two weeks ago in the upper stretches but high water washed them back down and the FAA are now seeing them in various pools.
The water is being monitored to record the amount of dead or dying fish but at this stage it is nothing like the issues last year but any deaths among an endangered species is concerning. We, as the rest of the river network, are continuing with fishing but keeping a watchful eye on this outbreak.
Spring returns are in and the FAA recorded 13 fish up to the end of May which is a reasonable number for the lower section of the river. 16 and 20 lbs among the figures so some nice springers on the go. Visitors had a hand in the numbers and some good reports were sent by visitors regarding our water and the support from members.
The sea trout lads have made a tentative start on the river and a 4lb fish was caught and returned in the Stoney pool.
Only a week ago during a sea trout hunt, two big pods of fish were seen running through the Cloddy pool at dusk and this may well suggest that the Grilse have began to run. It will be interesting to see what is caught in the next two weeks further upstream.
Not many sea trout about as it the case in the Findhorn bay although some big Finnock have been seen.
On the 26th May, the Committee called for an EGM to discuss the potential purchase of the leased water from the Findhorn Salmon Fishings Limited and even with the date being a bank holiday, 48 members attended and were briefed by the President Mr Michael Barron. After a brief discussion and questions on the proposal, the unanimous decision was to proceed to purchase the leased fishings.
Depending on the speed of the transaction, the permit will be amended to suit the changes and will hopefully be completed for next season.
Visitors and members will be advised via the Trout and Salmon, Fishpal and the Forres Angling Association web site and Facebook page on any changes well in advance and they should keep a watchful eye on the progress.