The Thurso River
Map key
Map key
The association water begins at Geise Burn and ends at the mouth of the river. In total, there are fifteen named pools over the mile and a half of association water.
The east bank is the easier-fished side with very few natural obstacles to hinder the angler. The west bank has high braes to contend with along the Upper and Lower Commissary, High Braes, and Mack Pools.
A fishing hut is available on the east side of the river, at the Whitefield Pool. There are four benches located on the east side of the river at Bleachfield, Lower Commissary, Upper Commissary, and Geise Stream Pools, an additional bench is located on the west side of the river at Geise Stream Pool.
Walking along the west side of the river when the ground is wet can be difficult as the ground can be thoroughly saturated. Despite this, many local anglers primarily fish from this side.
There are very few issues when trekking along the east side of the river. All the pools from Giese Pool to the Mack Pool are fairly streamy and given a good height of water, your fly will fish easily enough.
The head of the Salmon pool has a good inflow from the Mack Pool but forty yards into the Salmon Pool the water slows right down. At the tail of the Salmon Pool, the river speeds up again with a good flow into and out of John’s Pool. Salmon water ends at John’s Pool.
From the Cemetery Bridge to the Town Bridge is the Foundry Beat which is reserved for trout fishing for our junior members.
From the Town Bridge to the sea is the Tidal Beat. Just below the town bridge is the Legion Pool. It is a fairly long pool and is fished after the tide has gone out. Salmon will swim up and down the pool but most local anglers concentrate their efforts in and around the tail of the pool. Fishing until the tide turns for about an hour or two can bring in fresh salmon from the sea. Anglers fishing the Tidal Beat MUST abide by rule 7 of association fishing rules.
When fishing the association water, we ask that you close all gates you have passed through and be kind to the environment by taking away any discarded leader material or any rubbish you may have with you.
There is no free fishing on the association water, this water is leased and paid for by the association for the use of our paying members and Visitors. Visitor permits are available, please contact the secretary on 01847 891535 or mobile 07547458320.
