June ended much better than we thought as Grilse entered the water system during the last week or so and filled the lower section with good sized fish and plenty sport was had. The visitors did exceptionally well with reports of early morning anglers having good sport. One individual hooked into a fish presumed to be nearly twenty pounds but was snagged in a tree trunk during the fight. His friend then swam out to untangle the line only for it to run into another obstacle further down the pool as the fish decided to head back to Findhorn Bay. Fish lost but it was worth watching on the FAA Facebook. It is worth noting that these obstacles are now removed and thanks goes to those involved in an afternoon swim and cut.
Most of the pools now have fish but the Seapool seems to be the attraction with anglers there most of the time giving plenty spaces elsewhere for other anglers to have some peace whilst fishing.
Water heights remain low which inspires the night anglers to try for sea trout. Some have been taken but not in any great numbers which is surprising.
It has been noted that a large number of Grilse are small fish, some in the 2-3 lb range but the bay has seen very large numbers of 5-6lb fish entering the system on calm evenings and trying to relieve themselves of lice by jumping all over the bay. These fish are entering the bay at all heights of the tide and with the large sandbanks forming around the river entrance, an obstacle is forming at low tide preventing any fish to run the lower stretches until the tide turns sufficiently to allow passage. According to Marine Scotland, this is constituted as a natural obstacle and as such does not help us in our continuing battle to reintroduce a hatchery to assist our Endangered Species.
At the time of this report, rain has fallen for two days and expectations are high for a water level increase allowing more pools to hold fish and freshen up the system.
Visitor numbers are consistent and enjoying the time on our waters, many reporting catches.
Findhorn Bay has not seen anything like the normal July Finnock and Seatrout, with little or no fish being caught during the month and even less fish being seen other than the Grilse. Indications are that the fish are now lying much further West across the bay maybe due to a combination of low water due to the sandbank, lack of sandeels or the ever present seals.