SALMON IN THE CLASSROOM

Recently, members of Inverness Angling Club assisted with an educational initiative called Salmon in the Classroom.

The project was facilitated by Chris Daphne of the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board and delivered over several weeks to pupils from Muirtown Primary School and Dochgarroch Primary School. The aim was to give pupils an exciting and informative insight into the life cycle of Atlantic salmon, the River Ness, and the species found within it.

The project began before Easter, when Chris visited both schools and delivered talks covering four key themes:

• The Water Cycle
• Rivers and Lochs
• Habitats and Food Chains
• Atlantic Salmon and Lifecycles

Around 100 eyed salmon eggs, obtained from Ness broodstock, were then provided to each school. These were cared for by the pupils until hatching.

The eggs were held in small aquarium tanks inside tabletop fridges, with thermometers and aeration provided. This allowed the pupils to monitor water temperatures throughout the project and record the number of hatchlings. The information was recorded on sheets produced by the NDSFB.

Over the following weeks, pupils and staff were able to observe the development of the eggs in their classrooms until the young salmon were ready to be returned to the river.

On Tuesday 28th April, 35 youngsters and staff from Muirtown Primary School attended the MacIntyre Pool — impressively, they walked there from the school and back again. On Wednesday 29th April, 13 pupils from Dochgarroch Primary School, representing the full school roll, also attended, although transport was provided for their visit.

At the start of each session, an artificial redd was created in the riverbed. The small fish, still carrying their yolk sacs, were carefully placed into the redd and covered with stones. With their yolk sacs depleting daily, it was estimated that the fish would leave their temporary home within a week and begin feeding on the many small aquatic insects available in the underwater environment.

Electrofishing sessions were also carried out, with numerous species caught each day, including eels, minnows, trout parr, salmon fry and salmon parr. The catches also contained many aquatic insects, including mayfly, caddis, stonefly and other small food items that young fish rely on.

Members of Inverness Angling Club assisted Chris with the electrofishing and also provided casting lessons throughout each day, which added greatly to the youngsters’ enjoyment. Even the teachers enjoyed having a go.

Many thanks go to the Inverness Angling Club volunteers who helped make the project such a success: Brian McBride, Davie Dyce, Frank Durdle, Stevie Watt and Graham MacKenzie.

Special thanks also go to Chris Daphne, who is also a club member, for delivering the educational content and keeping the sessions interesting and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Graham MacKenzie

We’re off!

John Mallin from Dulnain Bridge, a regular visitor to Ness Angling Club, was fishing the Weir Pool (Friday 8th of May) in excellent river conditions when he banked a superb 17lb springer. John said "From the Weir pool about 2pm today and on the fly a 17lb bar of silver hooked on a size 8 double in the scissors, it put up a terrific fight and was safely released, many thanks to Alex Evans for netting this cracker.

Very well done, John — a fantastic fish!

John's Superb Springer

Conditions on the river are currently excellent, with levels now much more settled and suitable for fishing. May is often the peak of the spring run, so now is a great time to have a cast while these superb fish are moving through the system.

Tight lines to everyone planning a cast.

River conditions are now improving and the river is well worth a cast. Salmon numbers have picked up over the last week or so, and with levels falling to 1.2m on the SEPA gauge, I suspect the first fish should not be far away if more rods are on the water. Neighbouring rivers appear to have had a decent start to the season, so let’s hope this year’s spring run is simply running late.

Tight lines for anyone out for a cast over the next couple of weeks.

Huge thanks to Ally Henderson and Co for getting the Ruthven boat ready for the season ahead.

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of a much-valued and long-standing member of the club Donald MacPherson (Donny). A keen angler and a great character, he was always good for a laugh and will be fondly remembered as one of the club’s older legends. 

Peacefully on Wednesday 4th March 2026, at Raigmore Hospital, Donald MacPherson ‘Donny’, aged 64 years. Resident in Inverness and formerly of Campbeltown, Argyll. Keen member of Inverness Angling Club and passionate trout fisherman. Much loved father of Rhona and Donald, beloved granda, always close to Anne and a well trusted friend of many. Donny’s family wish to acknowledge the help and support provided by the Macmillan Nursing team over the past two years and the staff at Raigmore Hospital during his recent illness. Funeral service on Tuesday 24th March at 2.30 pm in the Funeral Home of William T Fraser & Son, Culduthel Road, Inverness. All welcome to attend. https://williamtfraserandson.co.uk/notices/donald-macpherson-donny-inverness/

Permit Renewals Reminder

A polite reminder to members that permit renewals received after 31st March will incur a £20 late penalty. Please ensure your ticket is renewed before this date to avoid the additional charge.

River Report

The Ness system has been relatively quiet so far this spring, with lower-than-average winter rainfall resulting in limited water being released from the lochs.

Malcolm Riddell got the season underway with a fresh spring salmon from Loch Ness on 9th February, with Dochfour opening its account two days later on the 11th. Colin Fraser then opened his own account on 14th February with a gleaming springer, also from the loch. Malcolm added another to his tally on 28th February.

Since then things have been on the quiet side until the end of last week, when rainfall brought a welcome lift in water levels.

Encouragingly, the fresh water brought signs of movement through the system. The first fish of the season was reported from the River Oich caught by club member Neil Porter on the fly, along with three fish from the Moriston on the same day, suggesting that fish are beginning to push through.

River levels currently sit at around 1.6m on the SEPA gauge, which does not particularly favour the club water. Once levels settle closer to 1.3m, conditions should improve and it will be well worth a cast for these early-running fish.

Other systems appear to be making a stronger start than last season, so with a bit of luck the recent rise will encourage further fish to move into the Ness system over the coming weeks. If levels continue to fall back, the coming days could offer a good opportunity for anyone keen to search for an early springer.

A commemorative post has recently been installed on the west side of the Mill Stream in memory of Loui Lisle, marking a spot that will now serve as a quiet reminder of a valued member of our angling community.

Loui spent many happy hours on the river and was well known to fellow anglers for his enthusiasm, good company, and love of fishing. The commemorative post now stands in a place that meant a great deal to him and will serve as a fitting tribute for years to come.

Our thanks go to those who helped organise and carry out the work, Neil Porter and Ally Henderson.

While the work was being undertaken, additional improvements were also made to the area. A new step and handrail have been installed, making access to the river safer and easier for members and visitors using this part of the bank.

Support Our Junior Member – James Stewart and Team

Up-and-coming junior member James Stewart, who takes part in the Scottish Youth Fly Fishing Team, is looking for your support to help raise funds for an upcoming international competition.

James and the team will be travelling to Ireland in July to compete for gold at Lough Lene, representing Scotland against other national youth teams. Competing at this level is a fantastic achievement and opportunity for a young angler, but it also comes with significant travel and competition costs.

Any support from members and the wider angling community would be greatly appreciated and will help James and his teammates focus on representing Scotland and giving their very best on the water.

Please see the details below on how you can support James and the team.

Early Season Reminder: Redds Present Close to the Edges of Club Pools

Please review the video kindly provided by the NDSFB by clicking HERE. It highlights how close redds are to the banks of some pools on club waters.

It was great to see so many anglers out in force for the opening day ceremony at the Mill Stream, with Neil Souter and his staff kindly providing hospitality on what turned out to be a dry but cold day.

Just a polite reminder that, early in the season, there are still relatively new redds present, which should be avoided wherever possible.

The Ness District Salmon Fishery Board and team have been very busy over recent weeks, progressing the re-stocking programme.

Graham Mackenzie kindly sent in a number of photographs showing broodstock kelts being returned to the river today.

Graham said : “There were 19 broodstock kelts returned from the hatchery to the river today (23.01.26). Hopefully one or two of the fish may return next year. All have been tagged and tail-clipped for identification purposes.”

Other News

Tree safety works will be taking place at Whin Park in Inverness from 2 February - 12 February 2026. Please see the below artice for further information.

https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/17107/tree_safety_works_at_whin_park_inverness

Please see below for the upcoming Annual Public Meeting with the NDSFB

The 2026 Annual Public Meeting of the Ness DSFB will be held on the evening of the 27th January in the Highland Rugby Club Clubhouse, in the Bught Park.

In addition to the update on Board activities over the last year, and the presentation of the Annual Accounts there will be a guest speaker.
Professor Eric McVicar will give a talk titled "the Effect of Climate Change on Scottish Wild Salmon".

Professor McVicar has had a varied career with a lot of time spent in the Arctic. He is a passionate fisher with a great knowledge of fisheries management in Scotland and writes a regular column in the Fly Fishing & Fly-Tying Magazine. This is sure to be an interesting and stimulating talk.

All welcome. 7pm at the Highland Rugby Clubhouse on the 27th January.

The wait is almost over - Opening day of the 2026 season on the river Ness is almost upon us and a mere 12 days to go, how time passes!

Anglers will meet at the Mill 10am for 10:30am on Monday the 2nd of Feburary, so please do come along.

As ever there will be a piper for the ceremony, bacon rolls and a dram waiting for you to warm you up.

Opening day sponsored by Neil Souter of James Pringle Weavers - Wollen Mill, Inverness

Please see the conservation policy for the 2026 season below from the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board.

Happy New Year

I would like to start this post by wishing all members and their families a very Happy New Year, and all the best for 2026.

Stocking Update

From Graham Mackenzie

Brian and I went to the hatchery this morning to have a look at the Ness broodstock, none of which had been stripped as of yesterday. We were shown two tanks containing cock and hen fish. All of the hens were examined and three were selected as possibly being ready for stripping.

These hens were removed from the main tank and placed into a smaller tank, where they were anaesthetised prior to being stripped. Eggs from each fish were placed into three separate bowls, making nine bowls in total. The hens were then moved into another tank with fresh water to recover and will be returned to the River Ness after Christmas.

Three cocks were then selected and their milt was added to the bowls and mixed with the eggs. The cocks were returned to the main holding tank, as they can be used again in the same way.

I have attached a few photos of the process. I took over 50, but can only send a selection with this email; hopefully they will give you an idea of the procedure.

There were approximately 17,000 eggs in total from the three hens, which represents around 25% of the total hens held. As there are still a few large hens yet to be stripped, we are expecting a final total of approximately 80,000 eggs.

It is thought that the remaining hens will not be ready until later in the year, with some possibly holding on into the New Year.

All the best,
Graham