A typical day's catch

Another Loch Stack Salmon

At Scourie it was a mediocre closing month of the season, with few highlights worthy of mention. The hotel's fishing register detailed 297 Brown Trout for September with big fish being conspicuous by their absence.

Angling conditions were difficult in the north-west in August. For the most part the area was enveloped in what was described as "wall-to-wall sunshine". In fact most fishers went home with far more of a suntan than if they had spent a week in the Mediterranean. Another feature of the month was the marked lack of wind.

On the Brown Trout front the hotel reported 372 fish under 1lb and 18 (a disappointing figure) over 1lb. The best specimen was returned by Mr Denny on Loch Stack on the 19th. It measured 23 inches and so should have weighed over 4lbs.

Sea Trout numbers were mildly encouraging, with hotel guests landing 75 (all returned) on Loch Stack. A good number were between 1 and 2lbs. Notable fish included one of 3lb to Alan Maden on the 6th; one of 3lb 6oz to Tony Witt on the 4th and (the best of the month) one of 5lbs to Jack Broomhead on the 25th.

The Salmon catch on Loch Stack was five fish for the hotel. The loch clearly held a good stock of Salmon but conditions were unpromising - with little wind and a high water temperature. In late August a temperature of 53 deg F was recorded at a depth of 4 feet. The heaviest Salmon of the month (8lbs) was taken by Keith Dunbar.

The hotel had only one week on the River Dionard in late August which coincided nicely with a brief rise in the water level, allowing four Salmon to be taken. Chris Kirkbride landed 3 and Andy Taylor 1.

By early September it was clear that the fishing would not improve until there had been two day's solid rain to finally lay to rest one of the longest spells of dry weather anyone can remember.