River Findhorn Springs Back to Life: Fresh Salmon Return After Long Dry Spell
Week commencing June 2nd and after a very long dry Spring, with difficult salmon fishing conditions, I am delighted to report that the River Findhorn here in Moray, Scotland, was flowing back to life once again, with fresh run Spring salmon being seen, they were taking advantage of the higher water conditions and quickly moving into the Altyre Beats on the River Findhorn.
On Monday, June 2nd, river levels were running at 6” on the Forres gauge, with perfect clarity, and prospects were looking much better than of late! In the late morning, local angler Craig Alexander hooked and lost reasonably sized fresh Spring salmon from William’s Run! However, he also reported seeing several other fresh fish running through some of the different pools below him, on the upper beat, in both Roehillock and Palamore pools, which was an encouraging start to the week.
After further rainfall over the River Findhorn catchment on Tuesday, June 3rd, river levels had shot up to 1’2” on the Shenachie gauge by late evening. On Wednesday, June 4th, local angler brothers David and Andrew Johnstone booked a day on Altyre Estate. River levels were still running at a respectable height of 10” on the Forres gauge, and they felt optimistic!
They both fished the beats from the top at Soldier’s Hole downstream, but nothing was hooked in the morning despite a couple of pulls and tweaks at the fly. Yet again, they reported seeing fresh fish running through the pools, heading upstream. By late afternoon and with much of the sun off the water, they finished at the Garden pool on the lower beat at around 4.00 PM. Andrew was put in to fish down through the pool ahead of his brother David. As he was wading down towards the tail of the pool, a strong, hard pull on the line and his reel screamed out, signalling “Fish On”!
It was a powerful fresh spring salmon, which gave Andrew several anxious moments to keep the fish in control and, more importantly, in the pool! However, under brother David’s superb guidance, Andrew can eventually quietly guide the big fish over David’s waiting net. A cracking deep spring salmon of around 12 lbs, just off the last high tid,e and Andrew’s first ever River Findhorn salmon! What a great way to be introduced to the joys of the Altyre Estate fishing! 
After further rainfall over the Findhorn catchment, river levels had risen again overnight, and by Thursday, June 6th, the river level was reading a respectable 10” on the Forres gauge. Geoff Holloway from Forres was fishing at Altyre Estate. He also diligently worked his way down through the beats from the Soldier’s Hole at the top and finally ended up at Roan pool, where he found success. Right up in the neck of Roan pool later in the afternoon, he hooked into another strong fresh salmon of around 12 lbs. and quickly released.
As the rest of the week progressed, with no further rainfall, river levels fell away and no other fish were recorded, but at least after the long dry spell through the Spring months, it was wonderful to see life back in the River Findhorn again!
As we move into the Summer months, we still have availability for guided salmon fishing on the River Findhorn at Altyre Estate and the Upper Home beat at Darnaway through July, August, and September. Please do contact me, as always, at [email protected] for further information on dates and fishing costs.
Tight Lines, Ian.
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Ian Neale, known as the Speycaster, is a seasoned fishing guide with extensive experience in renowned global fishing locations like the Ponoi River in Russia and the Rio Grande in Tierra Del Fuego. A published author, he has written extensively on salmon and sea trout fishing, with his first book, “Shadows in the Stream,” released in 2000. Ian has also appeared on various TV programs, demonstrating his expertise in Speycasting and discussing the importance of wild Atlantic salmon stocks to local economies. His passion for fishing and respect for nature are evident in all his endeavors.
