Spring Atlantic Salmon Success on the River Findhorn: March 2026
We are delighted to report that our fishing clients enjoyed a good week of Spring Atlantic salmon fishing on the River Findhorn, at Altyre Estate on Speyside for the week commencing March 16th, 2026.
Early Week Challenges and Changing River Levels
This was our first full week with fishing guests back on the River Findhorn and she didn’t disappoint! It was generally quite challenging with cold biting winds through the early part of the week. However, river levels were running at 1’4″ on the Monday morning and were looking very promising. River levels were yo-yoing through the first three days on the back of snow melt and also rain falling over the Findhorn catchment hills above Tomatin. Despite one or two decent pulls and touches at the fly, there was nothing to report until Wednesday morning.
Mid-Week Success: Big Spring Salmon Landed
A Stunning 19 lb Catch at Soldier’s Hole
On March 18th with river levels running at 1’11” and just before lunch, one of our regular guests Mr. Tim Foster hooked into a very big Spring salmon, fishing off the ledge in the Soldier’s Hole pool on the upper beat, in rather high water conditions! The big fish gave both Tim and Ali some very anxious moments in the extreme conditions, until Ali was finally able to get the big fish safely netted. It was a typical stunning River Findhorn multi sea winter Spring salmon of around 19 lbs, Tim’s biggest ever Spring salmon, so far!
More Action at Palamore and St. John’s Pools
On Thursday March 20th with river levels running at 8″ on the Forres gauge, another regular Speycaster guest David Swain, hooked and landed a cracking fresh Spring salmon of around the 12 lbs mark, in the tail of Palamore pool, just before lunch. By Friday March 21st and river levels were falling away, reading 7″ on the Forres gauge, with a small rise of around 3″ by the afternoon. Another fish was briefly hooked, on and off in the St. John’s pool, on the lower beat.
Looking Ahead: Late March River Conditions
As we move into late March, river levels have been rising slowly again today, March 24th, up on the Shenachie gauge on the River Findhorn, on the back of some further snow melt and rainfall. The weather forecasts seem to be predicting another cold spell, with further unsettled conditions and more snowfall and rain to come our way through much of this week. This bodes well for all our other salmon fishing guests just getting ready to embark on their annual Spring salmon fishing adventures on the River Spey, River Dee, and River Findhorn over the upcoming weeks going through April and May.
Spring Salmon Fishing Availability for 2026
We still have some late Spring salmon fishing availability going through late May and June for 2 to 4 rods, at Altyre Estate and The Upper Home Beat at Darnaway. Please contact Ian at [email protected] for information on all availability and fishing costs going through the 2026 season.
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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.
